Multi-varsity team wows ‘em at MDeC-MIT’s Global Startup Labs

• LeadAlways Technology comes up with fitness app called Feeion
• 40 students handpicked for seven-week programme

A TEAM of students (pic) from various local universities was awarded ‘Best Prototype’ for their startup idea Feeion at the inaugural Global Startups Lab Malaysia, a partnership between Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Global Startup Labs.
 
Feeion, from the team LeadAlways Technology, is a fitness application that motivates teenagers and working adults to exercise by raising a virtual pet, MDeC said in a statement. The virtual pet reflects its user’s body size and health status.
 
Global Startups Lab Malaysia 2014 was also supported by the Entrepreneurship unit within Malaysia’s Ministry of Education (MoE).
 
The Best Project Presentation Award was awarded to SimpleBox Lab with their mobile application ShopINS, while the ‘Most Promising Project’ was won by the Running Bus team with their idea of a mobile application that reduces students’ waiting time for campus buses.
 
“With the help of their experienced mentors and facilitators, the students were able to showcase their innovative talents in utilising digital technologies to create fundable startups,” said Muhammad Imran Kunalan Abdullah, director of MDeC’s Talent Division.
 
“We hope this effort will pave the way for greater opportunities for themselves and their community,” he added.
 
Participants of the Global Startups Lab Malaysia 2014 were guided through a seven-week programme which started on June 30. They were mentored by technology and industry leaders in Malaysia as well as facilitators from MIT, who guided them through the steps of creating a successful company.
 
This includes ideation, market research, writing business plans, pitching and fundraising, MDeC said.
 
“The Malaysian Government, through MoE, is committed to encouraging a more entrepreneurial culture in higher education institutions … and to develop the necessary skills, attitude and behaviour among Malaysia’s younger generation,” said Dr Syahira Hamidon, head of the Entrepreneurship Unit at the ministry.
 
“In this regard, MoE is very pleased to support the programme with MDeC as it is directly relevant to MoE’s mission of generating graduate entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial graduates who are highly employable and sought after in the job market,” she 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.
 
This is the first iteration of the accelerator in Malaysia, where almost 40 participants from institutions of higher learning across the country were handpicked. The programme hopes to foster technological innovation globally, spark an entrepreneurial spirit in emerging markets and bring sustainable development to partner regions, MDeC said.
 
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