Entrepreneurship is on the rise in Malaysia, especially amongst females.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report 2018 recorded that in Malaysia, women are about as likely as men to become entrepreneurs, and just as likely to have started the business out of necessity.
However, many women still face challenges such as lack of support, lack of confidence and biases towards their male counterparts.
Whether they are motivated by the need to feed a family or by a vision.
Thankfully there are a number of entrepreneurial grants and programs available in Malaysia for female self-starters.
Whether motivated by the need to feed a family or by a vision, below are 6 of the best loans and fund programs in Malaysia that every female entrepreneur should know about.
1. Women of Will
If you are a single mother, widow, urban poor or sole breadwinner with an income below RM1,500- RM2,500 and based in KL, you should take a look at Women of Will.
Women of Will is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that helps women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Malaysia.
Selected beneficiaries will receive about RM2,000 in micro-credit financing and also will be provided with six months of business training.
This scheme, so far, has helped over 68% of women to go above the poverty line.
2. Women Entrepreneur Financing Program, SME Bank
This program is especially for women in Small and Medium-Sized enterprise (SME).
This programme provides both financial assistance and coaching in strategic business methods for women to ensure growth and sustainability.
It also equips women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skill to enhance their business in key functional areas including financial management, marketing, leadership as well as technology.
This programme will also help women develop a full set of business proposal for the Women Entrepreneur Financing Programme (WEP-LEAP) financing application.
This initiative by SME Bank has a financing limit between RM500,000 and RM2.5 million.
3. Temanita Financing Scheme, Tekun Nasional
This scheme was created by the Tekun Nasional in response to high female borrowing.
Last year, about RM100 million has been allocated and is expected to help about 10,000 female entrepreneurs.
In particular, it is aimed at empowering small business owners aged between 18 to 60 years old within the Malay community.
4. National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN)
INSKEN holds a number of entrepreneur training programmes across Malaysia throughout the year.
The 3-day training programmes are designed to help those who want to start up, expand or accelerate their businesses.
Though is it not specific to women, this can be a way of finding new ideas to take their businesses to the next level.
5. Global Accelerator Programme, MAGIC
The Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MAGIC) launched the Global Accelerator Program (GAP) in 2016 which aimed to help Malaysian start-ups looking to enter the Southeast Asian Market.
Again, though this is not a programme designed only for women, it is a great platform for business development opportunities and widens social outreach.
Some of the benefits participants can get are funding from global players like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, training with innovators, mentors and investors as well as direct access to partners such as Maybank, Accenture, Maxis, Digi and Axiata.
6. Cradle Investment Programme, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd
The Cradle Investment Programme is the first development and technology commercialisation funding programme in Malaysia.
Run by an agency under the Ministry of Finance, it mostly invests in innovation-driven businesses.
These are conditional grants meaning that if an applicant fails to complete the project, he or she will have to repay the grant.
It is a great funding programme that ensures aspiring entrepreneurs become the leading startup with the necessary assistance.
These are conditional grants meaning that if an applicant fails to complete the project, he or she will have to repay the grant.
She Means Business.
Right now, there are some impressive statistics on the number of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
The number of women-owned businesses and women in self-employment in Malaysia are growing strong.
Women starting their businesses and entering the business or entrepreneurial space isn’t, of course, a new phenomenon.
There has been a significant improvement of women participation in business over the years but women are still more efforts and opportunity should be given to women to grow in business.
Are you a woman who wants to start your own business and become an entrepreneur?
Let us know in the comment section below. We will equip with exclusive wealth resources and knowledge that will definitely take your business to the next level.
We at WMA would help you attain your goal by empowering people with the right skills in order for individuals to attain financial freedom.
WMA will continue to grow and remain committed with our aim to assist people towards their dreams.
