Five Sarawak startups win big at Shell LiveWire 2025 state finals
Len Talif (standing, seventh left) with the winners and guests in a photocall after the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2025 Sarawak award ceremony here today. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (May 24): Five Sarawak-based enterprises have been named state winners of the Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2025 Sarawak Challenge, following the state finals today at Tegas Digital Village here.
The winning startups – Desa Inspirasi Resources, Earthlings Coffee Workshop Sdn Bhd, Lariss Quna Enterprise, Lettuboost, and Maxeon Technologies Sdn Bhd – were selected from over 60 participants who took part in the programme.
These enterprises advanced through an intensive bootcamp, with 10 finalists making it to the final pitching round.
Each winner received a RM10,000 startup fund from Shell, along with an additional RM5,000 grant from Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas).
Beyond funding, the winners will benefit from one year of business coaching and access to Tegas' resources and networking opportunities.
They will also gain the opportunity to engage with the global LiveWire network, and may be selected to compete in the prestigious Shell Global Top Ten Innovators Awards.
The event was officiated by Sarawak Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment and Tegas chairman, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who was accompanied by Tegas CEO Udin Bujang.
'We at Tegas are proud to partner with Shell Malaysia for the Shell LiveWire programme, a collaboration that underscores our commitment to nurturing local start-ups and social enterprises,' he said.
'This initiative highlights the vital role of entrepreneurship in driving economic development, generating employment, and fostering resilient communities,' he added.
Shell Malaysia Upstream's General Manager of Sarawak Gas, Choong Yen Li, said Shell LiveWire offers a meaningful platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into impactful ventures.
'Through this initiative, individuals not only gain the opportunity to build their own businesses but also contribute towards job creation and community development,' she said.
The judging panel for the finals included Tegas Manager Afida Zaidi, The Borneo Post Business Executive Editor and Kuching Division Journalists Association President Ronnie Teo, and Shell Malaysia Senior Manager (Mobility Sales and Operations) Dr Alex Pega Mahda.
Shell LiveWire, the company's flagship enterprise development programme, was launched in Sabah in 2015, Sarawak in 2016, and Peninsular Malaysia in 2022.
It aims to foster local entrepreneurship and promote innovative business solutions aligned with socio-economic development. Sarawak Challenge Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2025 tegas
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
22 minutes ago
- The Star
New Putrajaya complex set to boost sports development in FT
Dr Zaliha (second from right) witnessing the contribution by FT Department deputy director-general (Socio-Economic and Management) Datuk Parang Abai @ Thomas (right) to FT Sports Council chairman Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali (left). With them is FT Sports Council director Nik Ahmad Zahiruddin Nik Saleh. — Bernama THE soon-to-be built Putrajaya Sports Complex will boost athlete development in the Federal Territories and strengthen the national sports ecosystem. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the suggestion to build the complex was well received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Currently, she said discussions were being held with stakeholders to make it a success. 'We started considering it, after seeing the encouraging performance of our Federal Territories athletes upon returning from the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak. 'Based on that, we had a discussion at the senior management level and came up with the idea to build a sports complex with Putrajaya being the ideal location,' she told Bernama after presenting Madani aid worth RM278,000 to 27 sporting bodies based in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Dr Zaliha added that the complex would focus on high performance sports and would help every national and Federal Territories athlete. The facilities at the complex were being fine-tuned with several stakeholders, she said. 'We will meet with the Prime Minister's Department's Public-Private Partnership Unit and discuss the matter further.' In her speech earlier, Dr Zaliha said she had instructed the Federal Territories Sports Council to introduce a star ranking system for sporting bodies in the Federal Territories to ensure that they were managed well. The elements considered for assessment in the ranking system include document management and governance, efficient financial management and achievements as well as success at national and international level. 'I'm confident that with this ranking system, sports bodies will be more competitive and disciplined to ensure performance in the Federal Territories remain at an excellent level.'
The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
Kenyans dominate jungle race
Winners and participants at the close of the 2025 Kemuyang Nature Challenge. TWO Kenyan athletes claimed top honours at the 2025 Kemuyang Nature Challenge in Sibu, Sarawak where 300 runners participated. Samson Kamal, 29, dominated the 9km Men's Open category, finishing in 47:40. His compatriot Kabui Teresial, 22, won the 9km Women's Open category, completing the race in 51:50. They each received RM2,000 in prize money for their achievements. A delighted Samson shared that the prize money was timely. 'We'll be using it to purchase our flight tickets home from Kuala Lumpur. 'A one-way ticket costs around RM2,000 each,' said Samson, who recently graduated with a degree in Business Economics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Kabui, who pursued the same course, also graduated from UKM. (Below) Kabui (left) and Samson showing their prizes in Sibu. Reflecting on the race, Kabui described it as 'tough', adding she had to give her all. Samson said he enjoyed the event and praised the trail. 'This is our first time winning a jungle trekking event in Malaysia. 'We learnt about the competition from a Malaysian friend in Sandakan,' he said. Samson added that both he and Kabui are marathon runners and will undergo intensive training at home before entering their next race. Meanwhile, local runners Lim Siet Fah and Teo Lian Geok expressed disappointment over their performance, citing changes in the format. 'In the previous competition in December 2023, it was primarily jungle trekking. 'This time, it was 50% road running and 50% jungle trekking. 'My strength lies in jungle trekking, so it put me at a disadvantage,' said Lim, a vocational school teacher from Kuching. Teo echoed Lim's sentiments. Lim, the 2023 Women's Open category champion, finished third this time. Teo secured second place in the 7km Women's Veteran category. In the Men's Open category, second place went to Belfon Mosolan (RM1,500) and third to Saidi Suni (RM1,000). For the Women's Open, second place was claimed by Luk Teck Bing (RM1,500) with Lim Siet Fah in third (RM1,000). Winners of the 7km Men's Veteran category were Hardy Suntol (RM1,000), Chu Chat Shan (RM700) and Lee Kok Eng (RM500), while in the 7km Women's Veteran category, the top three were Lim Set Hiang (RM1,000), Teo Lian Geok (RM700) and Lee Leh Ha (RM500). Sarawal Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry representative Zulkanain Ismail presented the prizes.
The Star
34 minutes ago
- The Star
Beta Technologies conducts first all-electric aircraft landing
Aerospace manufacturer BETA Technologies' electric aircraft, ALIA, taxis at John F. Kennedy Airport with the lower Manhattan skyline in the background in New York City, U.S., June 3, 2025. It is the first Advanced Air Mobility flight into JFK Airport. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper (Reuters) - Beta Technologies became the first U.S. company to land an all-electric aircraft at an airport in the New York-New Jersey region, the company and port authorities said in Tuesday. The flight to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport flew 45 minutes with a pilot and four people, they said in a statement. Transportation companies, including airlines, are looking to develop services using electric battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically to ferry travelers for short city trips, allowing them to beat traffic. In October, the Federal Aviation Administration finalized comprehensive training and pilot certification rules for flying air taxis, calling it "the final piece in the puzzle for safely introducing these aircraft in the near term." In the same month, Beta raised $318 million in equity capital to fund production, certification, and commercialization of electric aircraft, bringing its total raised value to more than $1 billion. The Vermont-based company was founded in 2017. "After years of rigorous safety testing in all types of environments, we're proud to stand here with the Port Authority and the city of New York to demonstrate exactly how this aircraft can serve cities by easing congestion, reducing emissions, and increasing accessibility," Kyle Clark, CEO and founder of the privately held company, said in the statement. (Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
