Support System for Entrepreneurial and Small and Medium Ventures in ICT Sector: Case of the Technopreneurship Development Program (TDP) Flagship of Malaysia’s Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Project - Technopolis: Best Practices for Science and Technology Cities - page 243

• Technology Dev Facilities
• Technology Support and Advisory
• Development and Training

These Technology Labs are run with the help of different MNCs that are
considered leaders in the ICT sector (a more detailed explanation of the Tech-
nology Labs is provided in the Partnership Programs in Sect. 5.1.5 ). For example,
two competing giants Sun Systems and Microsoft have technology support pro-
grams run from their offices in the incubator located in the MSC cluster.
In addition to the above, the NIN is to have a unique ''community'' where
incubators throughout the country are linked together for network-sharing and
providing opportunities for new ventures, knowledge and expertise on a common
platform. To this end, the MDeC spearheads the initiative to create sustainable
incubators nationwide that would provide a conductive environment to nurture
technopreneurs. Built within the NIN also is the knowledge-based center of
expertise which helps in developing best practice incubation models, programs,
and talent to mentor and nurture successful start-ups, such as mentoring programs,
business advisory, and business plan enrichment services. (some more details of
the NIN are provided in Appendix B).

5.1.4 Enterprise Growth Programs as Part of the TDP

This program aims at assisting tech-entrepreneurs and SMEs to develop their
enterprises for sustainability and growth. The focus is on developing ''Go-To-
Market'' models for business development and access to funding for market
development at the growth and expansion phases of the Technoprenuer Value
Chain. While funding options like a technology focused stock exchange, etc., was
found to be available in the country for this phase it appears that many SMEs and
entrepreneurs needed more of advisory type support regarding market and funding
access. The TDP includes a One—Two—One Consulting program and Busi-
ness Assessment and Advisory in which TeDD focuses on assessing, enriching
and fine tuning Go-To-Market models and also assistance in areas of readiness for
market and funding financials and technology. For market access, ventures with
the 'MSC' status, 1 get support from a special division of the Multimedia Devel-
opment Corporation (MDeC). The MDeC identifies some high opportunity mar-
kets, their key sectors and the relevant market partner(s) and identifies and match
firms with MSC-status to meet these opportunities.
In addition to the support mentioned so far, TeDD in partnership, with a
certain NGO for entrepreneurs (called TeAM), provides services for growth
businesses

like branding and marketing strategies, intellectual property and

1 ''MSC-status'' is granted to firms that are qualified to receive special benefits from the MSC
project like tax incentives, access to funding etc.