BEYOND4 was proud to cap off the Demo Day of its cohort of the Social Enterprise Accelerator Programme, a social enterprise-focused startup accelerator programme conducted in partnership with the Hong Leong Foundation.
The programme was designed to provide a platform, enable and empower social entrepreneurs creating impactful and sustainable startups within the nation, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The inaugural cohort featured 10 startups across several impact verticals, from Women’s Health to Micromobility and FoodWaste, to name but a few.
The impact of the programme was significant, creating new opportunities for Social Enterprises who often lack clear opportunities to get key support on their missions. BEYOND4 remains steadfast in its commitment to further bolstering the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, and create a pathway for founders to scale both their impact and profitability.
The programme featured the crowning of Stinablis as Champion, a startup committed to upcycling plastic waste into sustainable construction materials. The 1st Runner Up was Siasitok, providing Sign Language Augmented Reality Flashcards and training to facilitate an easy, enjoyable, rapid, and effective learning experience for sign language, with the joint 2nd Runners up being Womentum, an initiative to help like-minded women gain momentum in their personal and professional lives, and Sinisana, empowering businesses, individuals, and communities in global supply chains through blockchain-powered supply chain and sustainability traceability.
Here is the list of the pioneering startups in the cohort.
1. Siasitok
Siasitok provides Sign Language Augmented Reality Flashcards and training to facilitate an easy, enjoyable, rapid, and effective learning experience for sign language. The initiative aims to tackle challenges such as the high cost of hearing aids, a six-year developmental gap in deaf children compared to their peers, and communication gaps between parents and children.
The proposed solution involves utilizing Sign Language Augmented Reality Flashcards, designed to make the learning process both entertaining and efficient. This initiative is in line with Sustainable Development Goals, specifically contributing to Goal 4 for Quality Education and Goal 10 for Reduced Inequalities.
2. Sinisana Technologies Sdn. Bhd.
Sinisana specializes in a Monitoring & Reporting Platform designed for Forced Labour Compliance within ESG Initiatives.
The identified issue revolves around manufacturers and producers facing the ongoing risk of product bans from the US and EU due to labor concerns.
The proposed solution involves establishing direct connections with workers to promote transparency and collaboration, fostering an ethical and sustainable work environment. This approach not only helps in meeting commitments to the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative but also aligns with the Human Rights Due Diligence Maturity Journey Framework for Palm Oil Supply Chains. The initiative contributes to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 8, which emphasizes Decent Work and Economic Growth.
3. OoGyaa Mobility
A micromobility startup, they provide shared escooters to address the First-mile last- mile problem in Kuala Lumpur, the second most congested city in Asia.
Acknowledging challenges like parking difficulties, heavy traffic, and high carbon emissions, the platform offers a solution by promoting non-polluting modes of transportation and introducing a payment-per-ride system.
This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13, emphasizing Climate Action. It contributes to mitigating carbon emissions linked with traditional transportation methods and advocates for a more environmentally friendly approach in their business operations.
4. Stinablis
Stinablis transform plastic waste into sustainable construction materials, addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution within the construction industry.
The proposed solution involves providing construction materials that not only meet ESG requirements in construction projects but also comply with GBI requirements for green buildings. These materials are designed to be user-friendly, eliminating the need for any additional training. This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 6 for Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 7 for Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 9 for Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 11 for Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 12 for Responsible Consumption and Production, and Goal 13 for Climate Action.
5. Womentum PLT
Womentum: Women In Momentum is a proactive initiative dedicated to empowering like-minded women in both their personal and professional journeys. The primary aim is to advocate for and raise awareness about the challenges uniquely faced by women by engaging in open conversations on societal taboos. It’s crucial to acknowledge that these challenges are real, and individuals are not alone in their experiences.
Identified problems include a lack of support for women in navigating their day-to-day challenges. The proposed solution involves a multi-faceted approach, focusing on Body Empowerment, Emotional Care, Cognitive Fitness, and Hormonal Healing. By addressing these aspects, Womentum aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 for Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 4 for Quality Education, and Goal 5 for Gender Equality.
6. Green Hero
With the goal of minimizing food waste, Green Hero actively gathers surplus food from various eateries for sale or distribution to those in need.
Addressing the significant issue of edible food going to waste, the solution involves rescuing clean and edible food waste from eateries. The rescued food is then either resold or redistributed back to the community, contributing to the reduction of food waste and supporting individuals facing food insecurity.
This initiative aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 1 for No Poverty, Goal 2 for Zero Hunger, and Goal 3 for Responsible Consumption and Production.
7. Global Cerah
The Sabah-based cleantech startup specializes in an integrated agricultural waste treatment and recycling system powered by IoT.
This innovative solution aims to tackle pressing challenges, including the overreliance on imported feeds leading to inflation and the adverse effects of landfill waste on soil. The proposed End-to-End Agri-Waste Treatment and Recycling System is designed across four stages: Agri-Waste Collection, Waste Pre-Processing & Treatment, Production of Feed Meals & Fertilizers, and Supplying Animal Feed Meals & Pet Food Manufacturers.
This comprehensive approach not only addresses economic concerns but also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, specifically contributing to Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
8. JOY
JOY is dedicated to offering superior eldercare services and assistance at an affordable rate across all districts in Malaysia.
Identified challenges in existing eldercare services include a lack of personalized love and care for patients, substandard and unsanitary living conditions, the presence of abusive care staff, and a deficiency in 24-hour medical availability. Furthermore, residents often experience a lack of freedom in their living environments.
In response to these issues, the proposed solution involves the establishment of fully integrated homes, prioritizing the mental, physical, and medical well-being of residents through a patient-centric approach. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on building sustainable cities and communities.
9. Lumirous
LUMIROUS stands as a one-stop solution for fertility and reproductive health support. Recognizing prevalent challenges in this domain, the platform addresses issues such as the prohibitively high cost of treatments, the absence of reliable information, and a dearth of educational resources.
LUMIROUS proposes a holistic Support System, integrating education, support services, and fostering B2B partnerships to create a well-rounded approach to addressing these challenges. This initiative is strategically aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals, notably Goal 3 for Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 4 for Quality Education, and Goal 5 for Gender Equality.
10. WoLCE
WoLCE operates as an education-focused social enterprise, emphasizing the instruction of advocacy, critical thinking, and speaking skills.
Their holistic strategy includes the provision of training classes and the organization of events, all geared towards the overarching objective of transforming into a consolidated education hub accessible to every student.
When addressing prevalent challenges within the public speaking domain, WoLCE acknowledges the shortage of qualified trainers, the necessity for effective organizing teams in public speaking and debating events, logistical coordination issues leading to scheduling delays, and the lack of sustained, long-term training programs. In response to these issues, they propose the implementation of a fully consolidated training system and the engagement of an experienced organizing team dedicated to ensuring seamless event management.
This initiative not only addresses immediate concerns but also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4, emphasizing the significance of Quality Education.
