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FireFlyz | 17
M
any
startup found-
ers in Malaysia
lack insights on
how to go beyond
their borders and
bring their product
to the global mar-
ket. Over the years, Malaysia’s startup
ecosystem has developed significantly
more entrepreneurs with innovative prod-
ucts coming into the market. However,
there is a need to provide high-potential
local startups with an additional boost to
grow to the next level, and connect them
with the right linkages to go regional and
global.
To assist Malaysian startups that are
aiming to find market validation on a
global scale, MSC Malaysia has come up
with the Global Linkages Program, which
is part of the Startup & Entrepreneurship
Ecosystem Department (SEED) initiative
to accelerate startups via its different
partners established abroad.
Through the MSC Malaysia Global
Linkages Program, the Multimedia
Development Corporation (MDeC), is
accelerating high growth startups by link-
ing them to the Silicon Valley ecosystem
at this moment. These startups will focus
Startup
This is thefirst part of our Startup
series. Findoutwhat the startups
have to say in thenext issue! Formore
informationonSEeD initiatives,
please logon to:
www.mscmalaysia.my/seedstartups
on validating their venture through high-
touch mentorship and coaching from the
mentors. This includes the opportunity
to immerse in the Valley’s culture and
build a network with local subject matter
experts, mentors, investors, global tech
companies and other entrepreneurs, a
move which MDeC believes will increase
the prevalence and success of Malaysian
startups.
A pioneer batch of eight startups were
sent to Silicon Valley where they received
startup mentorship from global accelera-
tors who gave them valuable input on
making an impact on a global scale.
The batch also participated in technol-
ogy workshops with global tech giants
such as Amazon, Facebook, Google and
Salesforce, where they gained intimate
knowledge of the values and ideas that
are practiced in the Silicon Valley.
Valuable insights were also gained
fromnetworking with the local ecosystem
players there, including other startups,
funders and corporate personnel. The
participants were even given the op-
portunity to engage in a “demo and pitch”
session with funders, in order to gain
more personal feedback on their products
and tips for improvement.
Through this initiative, MDeC hopes
to result in an improvement of Malaysia’s
ranking in the Global Innovation Index,
cultivate in the creation of high growth
digital entrepreneurs and companies, and
create more global digital icons.
Linking Startups