In a significant stride towards fostering innovation, social impact, and sustainable development, BEYOND4 proudly unveils its collaboration with the Hong Leong Foundation in introducing the Social Enterprise Accelerator Programme (SEAP). The Kickstart of the programme was held at Wisma Hong Leong, and featured 10 social enterprises, with the aim of helping them scale their business and social impact, creating a synergy of achieving business milestones while creating positive sustainable change to their target community towards a Better Malaysia.

This groundbreaking initiative is meticulously designed to empower pre-seed and early-stage social enterprises and entrepreneurs committed to making a tangible difference in their communities. The innovative programme aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and is dedicated to catalysing positive change, fostering economic empowerment, and creating a sustainable future.

HLF is empowering visionaries for social change. The SEAP, with BEYOND4 as its project executor, is tailored for social enterprises and entrepreneurs committed to address pressing social issues and to contribute to sustainable development, economic empowerment, innovation, and creativity.

A Vision Beyond the Horizon: Objectives of the SEAP

Social Impact: SEAP aims to be the birthplace of innovative solutions to address society’s most pressing issues. It is a stage where startups with visionary ideas step forward to create a positive impact on communities and target groups.

Sustainable Development: In the pursuit of change, HLF seeks to support social enterprises with the power to drive long-term positive transformation. This means cultivating businesses that align with environmental, social, or governance (ESG) principles, fostering sustainability in every footprint.

Economic Empowerment: The SEAP is not just about startups, it’s about empowering entrepreneurs and the society at large through better economic opportunities . Through resources, mentorship, and guidance, the programme becomes a catalyst for job creation and economic growth within communities.

Impact through Innovation: In the realm of SEAP, innovation isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a way of life. The foundation aims to spark creativity by backing startups with ideas that goes beyond solving problems and redefines the entire landscape of societal challenges.

“In this journey, success isn’t just about profits; it’s about the lives impacted and the communities transformed. The SEAP is a gateway for startups to actively engage with mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs, creating a symphony of shared learning and best practices,” shares S.T Rubaneswaran, CEO – BEYOND4.

The SEAP goes beyond being a mere programme. It transforms startups, endowing them with skills and opportunities to navigate the unpredictable seas of entrepreneurship. Under the guidance of BEYOND4, startups undergo a metamorphosis. BEYOND4 doesn’t just help build business models, it crafts blueprints for a sustainable future, where profitability and sustainability are the guiding pillars.

For startups with high potential, the SEAP opens doors to a bespoke fundraising journey, emphasising not just raising funds but meticulous planning, strategic execution, and a focus on long-term vision and impactful exits. The programme doesn’t just offer opportunities; it provides startups with the keys to unlock markets, leveraging BEYOND4’s extensive national and global network for rapid scaling in alignment with their visions and roadmaps.

BEYOND4 takes on the role of a guardian, offering crucial shared services in finance, marketing, branding, legal, and consultation. It’s not just about business, it’s about nurturing dreams, ensuring that administrative hurdles never overshadow the entrepreneurial spirit.

The inaugural cohort of the programme features 10 high-potential, high impact social enterprises, with the potential to change the lives of their target communities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.