12MP review: Govt planning start-up congress to boost technopreneur numbers

KUALA LUMPUR: A convention for technology-based start-ups will be held soon as an initiative to produce more technopreneurs, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"The success pioneered by start-ups such as EasyParcel, TheLorry, Swipey and iStore iSend can be used as an example.

"As such, a start-up convention will be held soon to produce more local technopreneurs," the Prime Minister said when tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Sept 11).

He said a total of RM266mil has been set aside this year as grants for local start-ups to set up more companies that will achieve "unicorn" status.

"A total of RM63.9mil has so far been channelled for the purpose," he added.

Anwar noted that the main players in the telecommunications and information sector such as Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and IBM as well as start-ups have voiced their support for Malaysia to produce more local digital talents.

"The development of start-ups is critical and urgent to hasten the transition of the nation's economy.

"Start-ups are more democratic in attracting the participation of talents and youths who are willing to explore the related fields with (their accompanying) risks," he added.

Besides this, he said an initiative will also be specifically introduced to gather resources from government-linked companies, Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) for this purpose.

He added that focus will be given to investors and start-ups at the formative stage to emerge as technology innovators and developers.