KUCHING – About 80 students from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Lodge International School, Kolej Vokasional Kuching and Kolej Komuniti Mas Gading from Bau had a taste of entrepreneurship when they took part in a two-day “Startup Bootcamp”, recently.
They had the chance to build their own teams, develop a business model and create prototypes for their business ideas with 60 seconds to pitch them to a panel of business owners from the city.
Organised by Swinburne Sarawak’s Entrepreneurship Club to encourage and instil the spirit of entrepreneurship, the students were guided by entrepreneurs with a background in technology, business and design, giving them a feel of an actual business environment and insight into how their ideas could work in the real world.
The students came up with a total of 17 proposals which were narrowed down to 10 in the preliminary pitch. Of this number, the top five teams presented their ideas to a panel of judges comprising Technicier CEO Dato Lion Peh, Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre executive director Ehon Chan, Metamorphic Training founder Rhoda Yap, Koperasi Belia Inovatif Sarawak Berhad president Zaiwin Kassim, and BuddyGadgets founder Melvin Ong.
Team Potato Salad, made up of Swinburne Sarawak students who proposed to sell second-hand books online, emerged the winner. They were trailed by Bombcom and Team O-Beast in second and third place, respectively.
The bootcamp serves as a good platform for students to experience and learn hands-on skills and knowledge for their entrepreneurial journey, said Swinburne Sarawak Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Janet Gregory.
The students’ creative ideas impressed the panel of judges who also commended them for their courage to pitch their ideas and accept critiques in front of an audience.
On their part, the students said they learnt skills such as teamwork and critical thinking and also expressed interest in taking part in the next bootcamp.
“Startup Bootcamp” was supported by Microsoft Student Partners, Clown Bakestore, Pure Cold Pressed Juices and Lian Hong Stationary.