MDeC teams up with MIT to launch Global Startup Labs Malaysia

• Build startups to solve real problems in their local community and region
• Access to all necessary resources to get their company off the ground

THE Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) has announced a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Global Startup Labs and the Entrepreneurship unit within the Ministry of Education, to introduce Global Startup Labs Malaysia 2014.
 
This programme aims to create fundable startups, build capacity and partnerships with partner universities and create a platform to attract students from Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to ICT entrepreneurship, MDeC said in a statement.
 
This is the first iteration of the accelerator in Malaysia, where almost 40 participants from IHLs across the country have been handpicked for this programme.
 
The programme hopes to foster technological innovation globally, spark an entrepreneurial spirit in emerging markets and bring sustainable development to partner regions, MDeC said.
 
Participants will have the opportunity to build a technology startup that solves real problems in their local community and region. In addition, they will be exposed to a crash course in the world of technology startups, as well as have access to all the necessary resources to get their company off the ground, the national ICT custodian said.
 
“The MIT Global Startup Labs is a hands-on course that provides valuable experience to students so that they can be more successful in starting a new venture,” said Muhammad Imran Kunalan Abdullah (pic), MDeC’s head of talent.
 
“Through this programme, MDeC hopes to cultivate a generation of young technology entrepreneurs who are able to fully utilise digital technologies to unlock greater opportunities for themselves and their community.
 
“We are excited to work with a prestigious institution like MIT, and we hope to inspire greater technology innovation and collaboration through direct learning and interaction,” he added.
 
MIT Global Startup Labs (GSL), formerly known as MIT AITI (Accelerating IT Innovation), is a multidisciplinary group within MIT that promotes development in emerging regions by cultivating young technology entrepreneurs.
 
Founded in 2000, this programme is currently conducted in 14 countries, including Indonesia, Philippines and South Africa.
 
Complete curriculum materials, software technologies, platforms and networks have been developed to enable undergraduate students to innovate in the area of ICT.
 
The programme is run within universities, and courses are taught by MIT instructors. The courses will focus on mobile and Internet technologies and are structured to empower the students to take advantage of the commercial possibilities of these technologies.
 
MIT Global Startup Labs Malaysia 2014 will run from June 30 to Aug 15 2014 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Over these seven weeks, students will be guided through the steps of creating a successful company; from ideation, market research, and writing business plans, to pitching and fundraising.
 
In addition to the programme facilitators from MIT, student teams will be paired up with mentors comprising technology and industry leaders in Malaysia, which include chief executive officers, government officials and university professors.
 
These mentors bring with them wisdom and years of experience creating and leading businesses that will help participants navigate the local tech industry, MDeC said.
 
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