KUCHING, 2 FEBRUARY 2026 – Startups go beyond business creation, serving as critical platforms for learning, experimentation, and the development of entrepreneurial leadership.
YB Datuk Dr Annuar bin Rapaee, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development I (Education and Innovation) said this today at the Startup Innovation Showcase 2026 (SIS 2026), a tech demo day combining the Digital Village Accelerator (DiVA) Cohort 4 and Sarawak SaaS Accelerator (SaSAR) Cohort 1.
Both initiatives are led by Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) under the Sarawak Digital and Innovation Ecosystem, a catalytic initiative within the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“Programmes such as DiVA and SaSAR provide structured environments where founders can grow with discipline and purpose. They expose participants to mentors, industry perspectives and ecosystem expectations, helping them mature not only as entrepreneurs, but also as leaders.
From the Ministry’s perspective, this is critical. These programmes complement formal education by offering practical pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning,” Annuar said.
The inaugural SIS featured seven selected startups from DiVA and ten from SaSAR, who pitched and showcased their technology solutions and business models to potential investors, government agencies, and corporate partners.
Following a rigorous selection process last year, the most scalable startups advanced to the next phase of DiVA. These early-stage digital ventures receive up to RM150,000 in seed funding, along with personalised mentorship, business development support, pilot opportunities, and exposure to investors.
The seven, namely Maxeon Technologies Sdn Bhd, Robopreneur, OINC Sdn Bhd, Sustainaviro Technology Sdn Bhd, Stinablis Sdn Bhd, CtrlD Studio, and SpaceIn Sdn Bhd, represent a diverse range of focus areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation, agritech and smart farming, digital content and creative technology, among others.
Together with its Accelerator Partner, Growth Charger, DiVA expanded its eligibility criteria this year to welcome startups not currently based in Sarawak but planning to establish operations in the region within the next six months. This strategic move reflects SDEC’s commitment to attracting high-calibre innovators while accelerating the growth of Sarawak’s digital economy.
Meanwhile, SaSAR, launched in November 2025, is designed to fast-track the growth of software startups, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers. The programme offers a focused pathway for software-driven companies to progress beyond product development—scaling their user base, generating sustainable revenue, expanding into new markets, and ultimately becoming investment-ready.
The programme is delivered in collaboration with AWS Malaysia as Supporting Partner, providing cloud infrastructure, training, and technical enablement, and NEXEA Group as Accelerator Partner, leading structured mentorship, market validation, and venture readiness components.
The inaugural cohort attracted more than 200 applications nationwide, with 23 shortlisted participants from Sarawak, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang. Complementing DiVA, SaSAR is expected to strengthen SME digital adoption, enhance Sarawak’s digital competitiveness, and contribute to the broader growth of Malaysia’s technology ecosystem.
Commenting on SIS, SDEC’s Chief Executive Officer Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman said that a good idea alone is not enough as founders need structured support such as mentorship, ecosystem access, market exposure, and investor engagement.
“More importantly, these programmes send a clear message—that Sarawak believes in its entrepreneurs, and SDEC is committed to supporting those who are prepared to build and scale from here,” Sudarnoto added.
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Growth Charger, Iskandar Shafi’I said, the surge in high-calibre applications underscores a pivotal shift.
“Sarawak is no longer just a participant in the digital economy. It is becoming a preferred launchpad for innovation. At Growth Charger, our focus goes beyond short-term acceleration. We are here to ensure that as these startups scale internationally, they remain anchored in Sarawak, creating a self-sustaining cycle of high-value talent and economic resilience,” Iskandar said.
By providing cloud infrastructure, training, and technical enablement, AWS Malaysia is helping Malaysian entrepreneurs productionise their solutions, and scale from development to sustainable revenue and market expansion, said its Country Manager, Hussein Mohd Ali.
“We’re proud to support SMEs, SaaS ISVs, and startups through the accelerator programme. When we enable local innovators with world-class capabilities, we’re investing in nation building and Malaysia’s digital economy,” he said.
Ben Lim, Chief Executive Officer of NEXEA remarked that the strength of SaSAR is clearly reflected in the calibre and traction of its participants.
“Collectively, these startups have already attracted over RM20 million in investment interest, with more than RM500,000 secured during the programme itself. Several companies have also recorded strong momentum, achieving 50% to 100% year-on-year growth. This demonstrates that SaSAR is not just about ideas but also about building real businesses with measurable outcomes and investor confidence,” said Lim.
SDEC and its partners remain committed to empowering innovative startups, in line with the shared goal of building a vibrant ecosystem that drives technological advancement and sustainable economic growth in the region. For more info on DiVA and SaSAR, email to Elizabeth Linli Charles at elizabeth@sdec.com.my.