ONE hundred young Malaysians have graduated from the CGC100 Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) celebrating the final cohort of 30 at Bangunan CGC recently.
To date, 58 graduates across three cohorts have registered their businesses, collectively creating 86 new jobs.
Launched in 2022, CGC100 was run by CGC in collaboration with Pintar Foundation, with the support of the Education Ministry.
The programme combined structured training, mentoring, financial literacy education and hands-on business experience for Malaysians aged 18 to 23 from unserved and underserved communities, particularly those with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) backgrounds.
The programme also covered business fundamentals, branding, digital skills, financial literacy and sustainability, and allowed participants to practice pitching their own business ideas.
The graduates now run businesses across various sectors including agriculture, food and beverage, fashion and services.
A key objective of CGC100 is to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the financial literacy, financing readiness and confidence needed to navigate the business landscape.
Pintar Foundation’s post-programme impact assessment also indicates that an increasing number of graduates have advanced into the RM10,000 to RM50,000 monthly revenue bracket, reflecting stronger business resilience, growth potential and commercial sustainability.
CGC chairman Datuk Mohammed Hussein, in his welcoming address, said:
“No successful entrepreneur reaches the top without experiencing setbacks along the way. As Confucius said 'The greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall’.
“Young people must be prepared to take calculated risks. Risk-taking is a key element of entrepreneurship.”
Meanwhile, Pintar Foundation general manager Norzalina Masom, said, “CGC100 is more than an entrepreneurship programme; it is a platform for young people to discover their potential, turn ideas into opportunities and take their first steps towards creating a meaningful future.”
Kaliswaran Seran, 23, from Penang, joined the programme without a business.
“I started the programme with only an interest in entrepreneurship. Today, I have not only gained valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, but also the confidence, direction and mindset needed to pursue my business aspirations,” he said.
Nur’zuriatina Zamri, 23, from Pahang, highlighted the impact of CGC100 on her entrepreneurial journey.
“CGC100 is not just about building businesses. It serves as a catalyst for change by providing practical business knowledge and skills, building confidence, and giving entrepreneurs the courage to grow their businesses and pursue greater opportunities,” she shared.
Sarawakian Alexander Conrad Johnny, 19, reflected on what entrepreneurship means to him.
“Entrepreneurship is not merely about building a business, but about having the courage to view challenges from a different perspective.
“Through CGC100, I have come to believe that every idea, experience and effort can become a small step towards creating a greater impact and bringing meaningful benefits to society.”
CGC remains committed to nurturing future generations of entrepreneurs, and that commitment continues through the CGC Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (CGC YEP).
Building on the foundation established by CGC100, CGC YEP will serve as CGC's flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative moving forward.
Unlike CGC100, which was primarily focused on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, CGC YEP is open to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 from all backgrounds.
This broader scope enables the programme to reach a larger and more diverse participant base, extending entrepreneurship opportunities beyond a specific educational segment and amplifying its potential impact.
Through CGC YEP, CGC aims to continue equipping young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and financing readiness needed to build sustainable businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to Malaysia's economic development.
