Sabahan SMEs Shine at Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2024
In a significant event held at Plaza Shell in Kota Kinabalu, Shell has announced the state winners of the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2024. This year’s competition, which concluded its finals in July, marks a decade of Shell’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among Sabahan entrepreneurs.
During the event, Wong Kim Mun, General Manager of Sabah Shell Petroleum Company Ltd, remarked on the importance of digital capabilities in driving business expansion and community upliftment. He highlighted Shell LiveWIRE’s role in creating a global ecosystem that bolsters business growth and national socio-economic advancement. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to leverage the opportunities provided by the initiative for broader impact.
The panel of distinguished judges for this year included Viviantie Sarjuni, CEO of the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre; Dato Sardahthisa James, Chief Editor of a prominent publication; and Gerard Lopez, a Supply Chain Commercial Manager. Their combined expertise contributed to identifying the most promising enterprises among the participants.
Shell LiveWIRE stands as a beacon for enterprise development, promoting entrepreneurship and backing budding entrepreneurs globally. Since its launch in Sabah in 2015, spreading to Sarawak the following year, and welcoming participants from Peninsular Malaysia in 2022, the initiative continues to fuel the ambitions of young innovators.
The winners of this year’s Sabah state competition include Mofaz Enterprise, Global Cerah Sdn Bhd, Kokoriu Enterprise, Agroment Enterprise, and Onsoi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd. Each enterprise had previously engaged in an intensive training bootcamp that culminated in a pitch contest.
These aspiring businesses each received a startup fund of RM10,000 from Shell, alongside a year of business coaching. They also gained entry into the global LiveWIRE community, opening doors to further participation in the Shell Global Top Ten Innovators Awards.
Transforming Agricultural Waste into Sustainable Energy
Agroment Enterprise captivated attention with its innovative venture into oil palm frond briquettes, offering a sustainable energy solution that benefits the environment and local communities. The enterprise’s founder, speaking of his vision, shared the motivation behind utilizing agricultural waste as a renewable fuel source, providing a new income channel for oil palm farmers in Sabah.
Clean Tech Approach to Organic Waste Management
Global Cerah Sdn Bhd is on a mission to revolutionize waste management by combining organic waste treatment with the production of alternative fertilizers, supported by advanced IoT technologies. This venture addresses the urgent need for sustainable disposal methods that mitigate climate change impact and support local agriculture.
Preserving Sabah’s Agricultural Heritage through Seed Banking
Kokoriu Enterprise emerged from a desire to valorize Sabah’s indigenous crops by creating an heirloom organic seed bank. This initiative not only enhances the local farming community’s resilience but also secures Malaysia’s food sovereignty with a reliable supply of local seeds.
Innovations in Paddy Farming
Mofaz Enterprise is redefining rice cultivation in Ranau with its greenhouse fertigation system, empowering dry land paddy farmers to achieve higher yields of organically grown rice. Their efforts aim to elevate Sabah rice to premium markets, fostering a sustainable agrarian economy.
Spotlight on Tenom Coffee
Onsoi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd’s venture into ready-to-drink Tenom coffee is a testament to passion driven entrepreneurship. Highlighting Tenom’s coffee heritage without preservatives or artificial additives showcases a dedication to natural quality and local promotion.
The Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia experience not only propels these enterprises forward but also instills in them lessons of resilience, innovation, and the critical importance of community and environmental sustainability. As these entrepreneurs move on to further their businesses, their journeys underscore the broad potential of green and sustainable ventures in propelling Sabah, and Malaysia, towards a more innovative and environmentally conscious future.
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