Celebrating the seven OSKF–WIM grant winners from the 2024 cohort, recognised for the significant progress they have made and the positive impact they have created through their businesses.
KUALA LUMPUR: OSK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of OSK Group, celebrates the second year of its “Seed and Support Women’s Entrepreneurial Grant” programme together with Women’s Institute of Management (WIM).
Since the programme was launched last year, OSK Foundation has provided grants to women running micro and small businesses from lower-income and challenging backgrounds, including single mothers and B40 households.
WIM assisted with the application process and provided support to applicants throughout the submission period.
In 2025, 34 women were selected to receive the grant, representing microbusiness owners in food, retail, services and home-based enterprises.
This year’s event also welcomed back several recipients from the 2024 cohort to acknowledge the progress they have made over the past year as a direct result of the grant provided. Many have strengthened their products or services, expanded their customer base, introduced new offerings and as a result are able to provide more stable income for their families. Some have even started hiring part-time or full-time help, creating small but meaningful job opportunities within their communities.
“This grant was created to give women the support they need to strengthen and grow their small businesses,” said OSK Foundation chief executive officer Cheryl Ong.
“We are encouraged by the progress shown by this group and glad to see how the funding has helped them take their next steps.
“OSK Foundation will continue focusing on programmes that provide practical support to women and communities who can benefit from it.”
The grant builds on OSK Foundation and WIM’s longstanding collaboration, which began in 2019 through nationwide entrepreneurial development workshops aimed at teaching women how to start their own business, as well as equipping them with practical skills such as budgeting, business planning and proposal writing.
Through the nationwide entrepreneurship training, 22 trainings have been conducted for over 800 women.
The grant extends this support by providing financial aid to women who are ready to take their small businesses further.
“We are encouraged by the progress shown by last year’s recipients and we look forward to seeing how this year’s group will grow through this grant.
“And as their businesses grow, it is our hope that they will also lift others along with them — whether by hiring someone, supporting another family, or helping someone in their own community. That is how the impact continues and how the ripple effect begins.” Ong added.
OSK Foundation will continue strengthening its focus on women empowerment as a key pillar under its community development initiatives.
