Ten Sarawak Social Enterprises Showcase Impact & Growth At Sehebat Catalyst Demo Day
KUCHING: Ten Sarawak-based social enterprises presented their business growth and social impact initiatives at the SEHebat Catalyst Cohort 2 Demo Day, held on October 6 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in conjunction with the 9th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2026.
Organised by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) with Biji-Biji Initiative as the delivery partner, the event marked the culmination of a six-month accelerator programme designed to enhance participants' business capabilities, brand storytelling, and strategic networks.
Beyond capacity building, the initiative leveraged SDEC's ecosystem partnerships, including a Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund (HSEF) Application Clinic with Yayasan Hasanah and Social Enterprise Accreditation Clinics with Institut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN) to guide participants through the national SEMy2030 accreditation process.
To date, Cohort 2 has delivered tangible outcomes, with three enterprises securing HSEF grants of up to RM100,000 each and three others shortlisted. The cohort also facilitated three cross-sector partnerships, expanded market visibility, and boosted sales performance among participating businesses.
The pitching sessions were followed by a dedicated Business Matching Session involving 13 participating organisations across government-linked companies (GLCs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate entities, foundations, and start-ups to explore commercial partnerships and market access.
"It is important to create practical opportunities for social enterprises to move beyond capacity building and establish meaningful connections within the wider business ecosystem," remarked SDEC representative Nur Atiqah.
Building on this momentum, SDEC announced that SEHebat Catalyst will return for Cohort 3 in 2027, focusing on expanding participation to social entrepreneurs in suburban and rural areas across Sarawak.
Applications for the upcoming cohort will be made available through SDEC's official media channels and the Kamek Digital WhatsApp platform. - UKASnews
