Applications now open for SCALE Sarawak Cohort 3: Offering mentorship, workshops for local startups

Applications for SCALE Sarawak Cohort 3 are now open.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Mar 17: Applications are now open for the 2026 edition of the SCALE Sarawak Cohort 3, which aims to uplift Sarawak-born businesses through top-tier mentorship, practical workshops, and strategic networking.

According to a press release, this followed two years of successful ecosystem building through a collaboration between Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) and Endeavor Malaysia.

The upcoming cohort will support seven high-impact companies over a six-month duration, offering a more robust curriculum than previous years.

Building on the successes of Cohort 2, which saw the introduction of detailed business portfolios and hands-on workshops, Cohort 3 will introduce several enhancements, including six physical workshops, six physical group mentoring sessions, and two structured business panel reviews.

To ensure deeper engagement and execution, Cohort 3 will feature the following:

• Live business portfolios: Capturing real-time priorities and operational pain points to maximise mentor value.
• Virtual follow-up sessions: Dedicated 1-on-1 mentoring to ensure actionable feedback is implemented.
• Ecosystem access: Participants gain priority access to the Endeavor Scale Up Program and exclusive networking events.
• Physical engagement: A focus on in-person touchpoints in both Kuching and Kuala Lumpur to foster stronger peer-to-peer support

“The 2026 rollout of SCALE Sarawak represents our continued commitment to Sarawak’s economic transformation by empowering local founders with top-tier mentorship and meaningful connections.

“This collaboration between TEGAS and Endeavor is designed to nurture resilient, scalable companies that will innovate and contribute to our State’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“This initiative aligns with the Sarawak Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, reinforcing our vision for a thriving and innovative ecosystem,” said Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment, and chairman of TEGAS.

Endeavor Malaysia managing director, Shan Li Tay, said the collaboration goes beyond business growth, as it is about surrounding Sarawak’s most ambitious founders with the right community.

“By bringing our world-class mentors into the local Sarawakian landscape, we’re providing the strategic launchpad needed to propel local innovations onto a global stage.

“We are thrilled to play a part in nurturing the next generation of Sarawakian champions who will lead the state’s economic transformation,” said Shan.

The programme is seeking Sarawak-based startups that meet the following requirements:

• Sarawakian founder: At least one co-founder must be Sarawakian.
• Operational viability: Minimum annual revenue of RM500,000.
• Innovation: A tech-driven focus or businesses that leverage technology as a core enabler.
• Growth potential: A clear vision for expanding operations, markets, or products.
  IP ownership: Applicants must own the intellectual property for their product or service.

The application and screening period runs from Feb 10 to April 30. Selected founders will participate in in-depth assessments before the official launch day at TEGAS Digital Village on May 4-5, and will culminate in a graduation day and panel review in October.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply now to join a community supported by world-class mentors from companies such as Carsome, FarmFresh, and JurisTech at bit.ly/SCALEsarawak2026. — DayakDaily