^{From Left to Right: Renuka Sena (Co-Founder & CEO of Proficeo), Razif Abdul Aziz (Acting Group CEO of Cradle), Datuk Yvonne Chia (Chairman of Cradle), Datin Norazah binti Mohamed Razali (Director of Cradle), Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah (Chief Evangelist of Proficeo)}


Successful Coaching Programme brings Together Key Players in The Ecosystem to Coach Local Entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s early stage start-up influencer, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) together with Proficeo Consultants Sdn Bhd (Proficeo), today launched the Coach and Grow Programme (CGP) 2020 to support the fast growing innovation ecosystem in the country. The CGP is a specialised coaching programme focused on nurturing start-ups and growth stage companies to get them on the path of sustainable revenue generation and scale. The programme is laser focused on business fundamentals – providing “show-how” techniques from succesful entrepreneurs, investors and corporate professionals who join the programme as coaches in order to Pay-It-Forward to the ecosystem.

Started in 2011, the CGP seeded a paradigm shift in how capability development programmes were conducted. It was the first long term coaching programme offering customised content and dedicated coaches for a period of 12 months.This programme, fully mandated by the Government of Malaysia, is provided to high potential entrepreneurial ventures with the ultimate objective of creating a pipeline of high quality companies that will grow and scale their businesses locally and regionally and attract investment and growth funds from funding agencies and investors.
 
The CGP is a public-private partnership between Cradle and Proficeo. It is an example of how the Government Sector facilitates and supports private sector driven initiatives to foster growth of the Malaysian entrepreneurial ecosystem. The CGP is a proven and effective programme that has, over a 7-year journey, contributed significantly to the Malaysian economy whilst also creating a benchmark for how other capability development programmes measure human capital development, economic and social impact and global market reach.

To date, the CGP has completed four cohorts and has helped 469 companies and 1657 indvidual entrepreneurs. The 2020 cohort will be the 5^th edition of the programme.  The CGP advocates customised support for each entrepreneur instead of a generic one-size-fits-all model. Training is coupled with individualised coaching by dedicated coaches over a period of 12 months. Companies participated in the CGP has generated revenue more than RM 2 Billion, export revenue of more than RM 310 Million and succesfully raised fund over RM 436 Million.

“The journey of an entrepreneur is a tumultuous and sometimes lonely one. Via the CGP we have created a platform for entrepreneurs to connect and support each other as they grow. The results we have seen over the years have been nothing short of inspiring”,  said Renuka Sena, Co-Founder and CEO of Proficeo.

Amongst some of the notable companies that have gone through the programme includes Easy Parcel, iPay88, Sedania, Telecontinent, Flexiroam, Signature Market and Vidi (formerly known as Touristly).

Acting Group CEO of Cradle, Razif Abdul Aziz said the CGP was instrumental in helping good technology companies grow into great performers and regional and global players. The goal is to help build and strengthen the capacity of our local entrepreneurs and to accelerate the growth of Malaysian tech-companies.

“While researching the needs of Malaysian start-ups, we noticed that despite excellent products and services, they often have trouble scaling their business. By matching successful entrepreneurs with aspiring ones, the knowledge transfer is multiplied manyfold. We have been working with Proficeo, who bring in past alumni, industry experts and seasoned professionals to be part of this excellent programme.’’ he said.

Enrolment for CGP will open on 6^th March 2020. There are 100 places available for startups and growth stage companies and competition is fierce. Start-ups interested in participation must complete and submit their application form through Cradle Website at www.cradle.com.my.

The CGP constitutes another Cradle initiative aimed at increasing the value of the Malaysian innovaiton ecosystem by filling in the gaps in practical business education.
 
About Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd
 
Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) is Malaysia's early stage start-up influencer, incorporated under the Ministry of Finance Malaysia (MOF) in 2003 with a mandate to fund potential and high-calibre tech start-ups through its Cradle Investment Programme (CIP). Cradle is presently administered by Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC).
 
Throughout its 16-years history, Cradle has helped fund over 900 Malaysian tech start-ups and holds the highest commercialisation rate amongst government grants in the country. Having more than a decade of experience in the nation's grant funding scene, Cradle further expanded its role from grant provider to investor through the establishment of its venture arm, Cradle Seed Ventures in 2015 and following its portfolio expansion to equity investment in early 2017, Cradle offers both funding and investment assistance through its Cradle Investment Programme 300 (CIP300) and Direct Equity 800 (DEQ800) until late 2019.
 
Cradle also runs a market-driven programme to train entrepreneurs and administers the Angel Tax Incentive (ATIO), designed for angel investors to be accorded a tax deduction of up to RM500, 000 to stimulate and encourage angel investments from private sector into technology based start-up companies in Malaysia.
 
Cradle's product offerings are not only restricted to monetary aid, but also include commercialisation support, coaching and various other value-added services to cater today's entrepreneurs' diversified needs.
 
For more information on Cradle, please visit www.cradle.com.my
 
 About Proficeo Consultants Sdn Bhd (Proficeo)
 
Proficeo’s vision is to mould ecosystems around the entrepreneur and facilitate the creation of a structure whereby all stakeholders within the ecosystem are working together in a unified and focused manner to support the success of entrepreneurs. Proficeo’s programs impart real world experiences on building businesses via high impact and unique programmes which are designed and customised for entrepreneurs at various stages of their business life-cycle from pre-commercialisation stage goes through to pre-IPO.  Proficeo has worked with over 1000 entrepreneurs via their training, coaching and mentoring programs.
 
For more information about Proficeo, please visit www.proficeo.com

SOURCE: Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Caroline Jintoni
Tel: +6019 293 9096 
Email: caroline@cradle.com.my

--BERNAMA