Youth Entrepreneurship Shaping Malaysia’s Future Competitiveness
Youth, I believe, is an invaluable asset for any nation, and Malaysia stands out as a country with a vibrant and youthful population. Leveraging this demographic advantage is crucial for enhancing our competitiveness and harnessing the potential for innovation, creativity, and boundless energy that young individuals bring to the table. Our work at MIGHT encompasses sectors with extended gestation periods, such as aerospace, space exploration, advanced materials, and energy transition, each with long-term objectives reaching into the future. For instance, achieving the 1.5-degree Celsius objective in energy by 2050 requires an immediate commitment to a sustainable energy transition, an endeavor whose fruits may only become fully apparent in the next two to three decades.
Considering that policymakers in these fields often find themselves around 50 or 60 years old, they may not witness the realisation of these goals personally. It is the youth, currently around 20 to 30 years old, who will bear witness to whether these objectives are met. Therefore, it’s critical to start involving the youth now, enabling them to comprehend, equip themselves with the necessary skills and competencies, and develop the emotional intelligence required to see these objectives through to fruition by 2050. This continuity is vital to achieving our long-term goals.
MIGHT has implemented numerous programmes aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, including initiatives like the Global Clean Tech Innovation Programme (GCIP), Leaders Innovation Forum (LIF), and FameLab. These programmes serve as invaluable training grounds for entrepreneurs, particularly benefiting younger participants. They provide a platform to nurture budding entrepreneurs, honing their skills and competencies.
For instance, the Global Clean Tech Innovation Programme equips entrepreneurs with the ability to understand their businesses thoroughly, construct compelling narratives about their products, and effectively engage with the public for feedback. These are skills that may not necessarily be covered in traditional university education. Young entrepreneurs, with their energy and creativity, can greatly benefit from these programmes, which serve as a crucible for molding them into highly competent entrepreneurs.
These programmes, offer platforms for networking and skill development, are particularly beneficial for young entrepreneurs who may not yet have extensive connections or linkages with key stakeholders. They expose these aspiring entrepreneurs not just to their peers but also to experienced mentors and industry experts who often serve as trainers. Importantly, they offer exposure not just locally but, in some cases, internationally. For example, FameLab rewards top winners with opportunities to perform in the UK, while the Global Clean Tech Innovation Programme sends successful entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley, a hub for venture capital firms eager to invest in innovative products. The Leaders Innovation Forum goes a step further, transforming not just entrepreneurs but also young researchers into entrepreneurial thinkers. These programmes have received tremendous responses, particularly from young individuals eager to learn and grow. They are the source of innovation that can be channeled to larger companies and government-linked entities. Essentially, they bridge the gap between young entrepreneurs and their markets, collaborators, and stakeholders, instilling confidence and nurturing the attributes required for entrepreneurial success.
In summary, MIGHT has made commendable efforts in this regard, and it is my hope that we can sustain and expand these programmes. Continued engagement with youth, especially aspiring entrepreneurs, is essential for our nation’s prosperity and innovation.
Communication Mastery: Leveraging Futures Literacy for Business Expansion
Understanding the dynamics of our ever-evolving world often happens through informal conversations with individuals outside our immediate spheres. Imagine a biotech entrepreneur exchanging ideas with a digital entrepreneur; it’s a cross-pollination of insights. Similarly, Malaysian entrepreneurs connecting with their ASEAN counterparts opens doors to a broader worldview, revealing the unique business cultures of different regions. These interactions, coupled with exposure to potential mentors, provide invaluable guidance and insights that can shape a young entrepreneur’s journey.
One particularly effective way of nurturing entrepreneurs is through mentorship programmes. Such programmes expose aspiring entrepreneurs to best practices, offering a clear roadmap to success by showcasing role models and real-world examples.
Furthermore, equipping our youth with tools like foresight and forward-thinking skills are essential. Foresight knowledge and capability prepare them to not only anticipate future challenges but also identify emerging opportunities, enabling them to translate these insights into innovative products and services. The ability for entrepreneurs to broaden their perspectives and gain insights into the global geopolitical and business landscape is paramount. MIGHT plays a crucial role in providing these essential tools, especially for high-tech businesses looking to expand their operations.
Consider, for instance, a company like Free the Seed, which develops biodegradable packaging products from rice husk waste. Communication with local farmers demands a specific language and understanding, essential for a smooth supply chain. However, when engaging with international clients like Amazon or Hewlett Packard, a completely different set of communication skills is necessary. This diversity in communication demands exposure that equips young entrepreneurs to navigate both local and international markets effectively. In today’s interconnected world, where virtual interactions are the norm, this multifaceted expertise is becoming increasingly crucial.
In summary, nurturing youth with a keen understanding of future trends and a global perspective is vital for their success as entrepreneurs. MIGHT’s role in providing these essential tools and insights is instrumental in shaping the next generation of innovative and globally competitive businesses.
Youth-Driven Hight-Tech Innovation: A ‘F.I.R.S.T’ Perspective
At MIGHT, we firmly advocate the ‘F.I.R.S.T’ methodology as a foundational approach to empowering youth for active participation in the high-tech industry. ‘F.I.R.S.T’ signifies the fundamental steps to commence this journey.
Funding and financial backing is crucial to set our youth on the path to high-tech entrepreneurship, securing initial funding is paramount. High-tech ventures are characterised by their capital-intensive nature, lengthy gestation periods, and substantial risk. Encouraging youth to venture into this terrain necessitates the provision of a safety net for securing the initial funding to commence their entrepreneurial journey.
Next is about infrastructure, systems, and institutions. Institutions like MIGHT play a pivotal role in this process. They scrutinise the entire ecosystem and supply chain meticulously, identifying where young entrepreneurs can thrive and pinpoint the gaps within the industry supply chain that they can explore for entrepreneurial opportunities.
Effective policies and regulations are the bedrock of youth involvement in high-tech business. This includes a comprehensive policy framework that begins nurturing talent right from secondary education. Such policies should also offer incentives and privileges for youth in specific business domains. Furthermore, it should extend to financial institutions, ensuring that they align their strategies to support these youth-driven initiatives.
In the current global landscape, digital capabilities are of paramount importance. Skills that enable the utilisation of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies are essential. We must prioritise equipping our youth with these competencies, ensuring they are well-prepared for the industry.
Last but not least, technology accessibility in providing affordable access to cutting-edge technology is another key consideration. This accessibility enables young entrepreneurs to compete effectively on a level playing field. Organisations like MIGHT play a crucial role in orchestrating a harmonious and integrated approach to facilitating this access.
High-tech industries are the linchpin of our economic development. They are often described as having a ‘multiplier effect,’ catapulting our nation toward becoming a developed powerhouse. Participation in the high-tech sector is not a luxury but a necessity. It’s a tool not only for individual businesses but also for propelling our nation forward in terms of competitiveness and development.
To harness this potential, we must rely on the energy, creativity, and dynamism of our youth. Malaysian youth are known for their creativity, enthusiasm, and active engagement. Our collective aim is to harness this dynamic energy and channel it effectively into the high-tech industry. Whether they become engineers, scientists, or business leaders, our youth must be guided systematically and effectively to assume pivotal roles in our nation’s progress.
In summary, we believe in the ‘F.I.R.S.T’ approach to enable our youth to become the driving force in the high-tech industry. It’s about fueling innovation, building infrastructure, formulating policy, nurturing skills, and ensuring technology accessibility. With the right guidance and support, our youth will play a central role in shaping our nation’s hightech future.
From Participants to Contributors: The Youth Impact
In closing, it’s imperative that we view our youth as a cohesive force, a collective effort in our journey forward. There’s a saying that goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together in collaboration.’ In this context, our youth constitute an integral part of the Malaysian ecosystem, propelling us towards greater competitiveness and the realisation of our commitments. For Malaysia to achieve its aspirations, the youth must be at the forefront. They need to embrace a proactive stance, equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and attitude. By doing so, they become not just participants but significant contributors to our nation’s growth story.
In parallel, it’s incumbent upon all of us to adapt and understand the spirit of our youth. This understanding enables effective communication, motivation, and the channelling of their boundless energy toward constructive purposes. It’s a two-way street, and together, we can embark on a journey that’s not just fast, but one that takes us far, transforming Malaysia into a beacon of progress and prosperity.
