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Pre-Seed Funding. In addition there is a ''Train The Trainers'' program that
trains the academicians on how to advice the students and researchers in devel-
oping their business plan for the IHL Business Plan Competition.
Some of the development programs as part of the ecosystem include the Uni-
versity Industry Commercialization Collaboration Forum (UICCF)—where
researchers and students can present their research projects for industry review as
well as a platform for the industry to present their industry needs to the
researchers. The TeDD also organizes what they call ''Pre-Seed Jump Start''—a
workshop that focuses on guiding the participants on how to submit a solid
business plan that addresses all the criteria's needed to qualify for the Pre-Seed
Fund Program.
5.1.2 Funding Programs by TeDD
In addition to the funding options available in the MSC Cluster, some other
funding sources for technology firms include the 500 million ringgit New Tech-
nology Investment Fund (NTIF). Its soft loan program ''caters to established
Malaysian companies or individuals with at least three years of experience in a
similar business and a good track record.'' There is also the Malaysian Venture
Capital (MAVCAP), a government VC firm, that has an 800 million ringgit fund
and its 100 million ringgit—Cradle Investment Program CIP- fund, In addition,
there is the Malaysia Debt Ventures (which was set up with an allocation of 1.6
billion ringgit to spur the growth of ICT and high-growth sectors) and a host of
other government funds.
Given all these options, in addition to many other existing options (like banks,
etc.) and also new-age funding options (like Angels, etc.)—there was a gap
identified in terms of funding for SMEs and entrepreneurs in the ICT sector in the
pre-seed part of the Technoprenuer Value Chain. A funding program called the
Technopreneur Pre-Seed Funding Program (TPF) has been created. The TPF not
only acts as catalyst in the creation of tech-entreprepreneurs and SMEs by
addressing the ''pre-seed funding gap'' in ICT Development Life Cycle but also
assists technopreneurs to jump start their business. The Fig.
5
shows the various
stages of an SME enterprise and some of the funding options (the shaded ones are
some of the innovative funding options created).
The targeted beneficiaries of the TPF program are local tech-entrepreneurs.
Only individuals are eligible to apply, not existing companies. The program offers
up to RM150 k of funding to develop viable business plans into commercially
focused ICT projects with prototype and detailed business plans suitable for
venture funding and commercialization. As a developmental program, it is not a
pure grant and recipients will also benefit from development, mentoring services,
and access to shared lab facilities at MSC Malaysia-Status Incubators provided
through MDeC's the Technopreneur Development program (TDP).
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