Singapore Entrepreneurs Network & Startup Organization

 

A casual gathering over coffee in Starbucks in 1-Utama , Petaling Jaya has turned out to be a discussion ground for more than 20 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in Malaysia who came with the intention to network with entrepreneurs from Singapore, meet more business contacts or just to chit chat over coffee. On 18 May 2008, Project:Senso ventured into Malaysia to hold a gathering for Malaysian entrepreneurs, some even came as far as Singapore, with the objective to view the local entrepreneur scene and to find out the needs and problems of the entrepreneurs in a fast developing country like Malaysia. It turns out that most of them report of the same challenges that Singaporean entrepreneurs face but in a different scale and context. While entrepreneurs in Singapore might complain about the red tapes among government agencies, Malaysians talk of the same issue adding the racism influence on the decision and speed of approvals from the government. They also expressed how the government now are being more responsive and supportive to the needs of the people including entrepreneurship as they are aware of how entrepreneurs can help them. It was indeed very constructive conversations among the young entrepreneurs who come from various industries from oil and gas to agriculture and aquaculture as well as students who are interested in starting businesses.  

Small chats of where you come from and what you do turned into heavier topics on the current knowledge gap in Malaysia to nurture business people, the lack of government initiative and drive to promote sustainable businesses and the urgency from the government to response to public queries. So much were brought up during the 4 hour meet-up which extended far past 9pm. The entrepreneurs were excited to meet so many new people with the same intentions to build businesses and to help one another. It is with great hope that Senso hope to expand their influence and reach into Malaysia, sharing knowledge and contacts with one another while instilling the right sense of entrepreneurship among some of the entrepreneurs who are lost in the whimsical of doing business in a country with little exposure and good knowledge base.

 

The session brought together so many people who have never met one another but have now went home with opportunties abound and hope raised. With the right support grouped, it is hoped that Malaysians will be able to see the true meaning of entrepreneurship that build great companies and sustainable businesses and which will lead to more social entrepreneurs in the country.