BINTULU – February 25, 2019 - The Right Honourable Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg launched the SMA-TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) at Naim Street Mall in Bintulu today (17 February 2019). 
 

The hub serves as an inclusive platform to nurture talents, support entrepreneurs and create innovators for Sarawak. Funded by Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and managed by TEGAS, the DIH offers access to co-working space and shared amenities, funding opportunities and facilitation, incubation and acceleration programmes as well as an entrepreneur-friendly ecosystem.
 

“The launch of the DIH by The Right Honorable Chief Minister of Sarawak proves that the government is serious about developing talents and promoting Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship amongst Sarawakian youth. Our mission is to provide growth opportunities for early-stage startups and to build a strong startup community across Sarawak. This initiative is in line with the Chief Minister’s agenda to increase the number of successful technopreneurs and subsequently drive the state’s digital economy,” said TEGAS Chairman, Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, who is Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment.

Under the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018-2025 (Digital Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Action 37), the State Government through SMA will establish one innovation centre in each division and facilitate others (private sectors, universities and communities). 
 

“The launching of DIH in Bintulu, as part of the wider Sarawak Digital Village Ecosystem, will play a significant role in introducing information technology to the communities and creating awareness in the commercialization process and economic development in Bintulu. On its own, it will be the focal point of entrepreneurial activity in this beautiful town, and as a prime component of the state ecosystem, DIH Bintulu, managed by the capable hands of TEGAS team, will be supplying high-potential early stage startups that will graduate to the Digital Village in Samajaya, and be the pride of Sarawak, and the nation,” says Dr Zaidi Razak, General Manager of SMA.

Programmes to accelerate the growth of early-stage startups at DIH include TEGAS Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp, TEGAS Startup Lab and Sarawak Shell LiveWIRE (in partnership with TEGAS). The hub’s facilities and benefits include a co-working space, high speed internet, discussion rooms, knowledge sharing and capacity development programmes as well as access to Sarawak Digital Village Ecosystem Network.
 

To enhance the ecosystem, TEGAS has signed up four new strategic partners, namely Watch Tower & Friends Accelerator, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus, Kloena Digital and myHarapan Youth Trust Foundation. This initiative is part of the #InnovateSarawak campaign, which is developed by TEGAS, in collaboration with SMA as the ecosystem custodian, together with its strategic partners to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship as well as provide growth opportunities for startups through strategic collaborations.