THE Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge (YEC) 4.0 National Level 2023, organised by the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), has been concluded after the winners were announced.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi said YEC is a symbol of the state government’s commitment to creating opportunities for aspiring youth entrepreneurs.
“With Penang’s robust startup ecosystem, it is vital to attract more young talents to come and start their businesses in Penang,” Gooi said during the ‘YEC 4.0 National Level Final’ at The Ship Campus in Batu Kawan on Oct 7.
He also added that YEC is a platform to encourage aspiring young entrepreneurs to choose Penang as their destination to pursue their ambitions.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (PERDASAMA), Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Section (PCCC YES), Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI), and Malaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association (PUMM) Penang Liaison.
It is learnt that YEC is part of the ‘Youth For Future’ initiative to cultivate youth’s interest in entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling said the YEC participants have a platform to learn about entrepreneurship and pitch their business ideas.
“Throughout the years until today, our finalists have amazed us with their amazing presentations and business ideas from YEC.
“The YEC is an annual flagship programme since 2020, which is spearheaded by PYDC to encourage entrepreneurial capacity among the youth through various programmes, including workshops, entrepreneurial forums and a pitching competition for selected finalists with industrial players.
“As of now, we have completed four YEC series, amounting to 188 teams with 645 participants,” Gwee said.
Dr Gwee also added that the former YEC finalists have brought their business plans to the market, namely Corrington.Co, Tropicor, Orifarm, Optimed Technology and others.
For this year’s challenge, a total of 85 teams comprising 283 participants have registered for this event.
Out of the 85 teams, 10 teams were shortlisted as finalists for the School Category, and another 10 teams qualified for the final in the Open Category.
During the YEC period, a total of four entrepreneurial workshops were held, as well as the YEC Forum, featuring panellists from Malaysia, China, and Singapore.
During the finals, the participants presented their business ideas to the judges from the industry and also showcased their ideas through their respective booths.
Below are the winners for the YEC 4.0 National Level 2023 for the respective categories:-
High School Category
Champion- Team POLE
First runner-up -Team Digital Dynamo
Second runner-up-Team Serantau Intelligenze
Consolation prize winners
-Team AUDEX
-Team Agrobin Pvt Ltd
Open Category
Champion – Team The Changemaker Academy
First runner-up – Team MIKA
Second runner-up – Team Metta Maitri
Consolation prize winners
-Team Aimsity
-Sifu On The Way
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix courtesy of PYDC