KUCHING, 14 AUGUST 2025 – The Sarawak Business Angel Network (SBAN) was officially launched today at Makeramai Makerspace, Plaza Merdeka, marking a major step in strengthening Sarawak’s early-stage investment ecosystem and supporting the region’s innovation-driven economy.

An initiative by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), the SBAN launch was officiated by YB Datuk Dr. Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development II, representing YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak.

Also present were Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, Chief Executive Officer of SDEC; Dato Patrick Liew, Chairman of SBAN; Peter Wee, President of Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN); Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cradle; and SBAN committee members and MBAN Council members.

The highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between SBAN and MBAN, witnessed by representatives from SDEC and Cradle. This partnership aims to connect Sarawak’s investor community with national and regional networks, expand access to quality deal flow, and share best practices in angel investing.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled ‘Building a Robust Angel Investment Ecosystem: Lessons from MBAN and Opportunities for SBAN’. The panellists were Liew, Sudarnoto, Wee, and Norman.

Commenting on the launch, Liew said that SBAN is more than just a network. It is a platform for belief, trust, and collaboration.

“We want to empower local investors to support homegrown innovations and help Sarawakian startups grow beyond our borders,” Liew commented.

Meanwhile, Sudarnoto opined that innovation cannot flourish without the financial, intellectual, relational, and emotional capital.

“Therefore, the establishment of SBAN is a declaration of intent to lay the foundation beyond funding mechanism. We aim to build a trusted community of believers who are willing to invest and scale up local talents, and walk alongside them through one-on-one mentorship, strategic connections, and the sharing of invaluable experience,” he said.

The launch event concluded with a networking session, offering a valuable opportunity for startups, investors, and ecosystem partners to engage in meaningful conversations and strengthen relationships within the innovation community.

For further information about SBAN, email to investment@sdec.com.my.