Get to know the women-led businesses that were named the winners of the Women in Entrepreneurship Programme by Mereka and Futuremakers by Standard Chartered
Last September, Mereka Innovative Education and Futuremakers by Standard Chartered launched the Women in Entrepreneurship (WiE) programme in Malaysia. The goal? To give local women-led organisations the know-how, mentorship and funds needed to grow their businesses.
Addressing some of the common barriers faced by female founders in Malaysia, the programme began with four workshops focusing on critical business themes, with 450 individuals presenting their ideas. Twenty organisations were subsequently selected for a bootcamp in February 2024, which included personalised guidance to strengthen their ventures, culminating in another bootcamp that offered immersive learning and networking opportunities.
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“Every woman’s journey is unique, and this programme is committed to equipping women entrepreneurs in Malaysia with the necessary skills to unlock their full potential,” says Mereka director and Biji-biji Initiative CEO Juliana Adam.
At an awards ceremony in March, five organisations were shortlisted from this group of 20 to receive seed funding of US$20,000 each. The winning teams will also receive a six-month mentorship with industry experts and Mereka, offering personalised guidance covering essential facets of organisational development, spanning from fundamental business operations and technological integration to impactful marketing and public relations tactics.
From an education startup addressing English literacy to a social enterprise dedicated to creating more inclusive work opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwD), here are the five women-led businesses in Malaysia that emerged as winners of this inaugural WiE programme.
Early Minds by Ripple Community
Founded by clinical psychologist Kee Joey, The Ripple Community aims to enhance mental health and special needs support. Its vision is to deliver on-demand, evidence-based, affordable assistance for children, youth, and families facing accessibility and funding challenges.
The Ripple Community’s web application, Early Minds, serves as a comprehensive platform, offering professional help, evidence-based programs, informed coaching, and community support both virtually and in person. The organisation commits itself to addressing the lack of access and awareness about children’s conditions as well as access to affordable mental health care, offering free online mental health screenings and other initiatives.
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