KUCHING: Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) announced that applications are now officially open for the TEGAS Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp 2025 (Cohort 7).

According to a statement, the TEGAS Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp (TPAB) is a six-day intensive programme designed to equip early-stage Sarawakian startups with the critical skills, knowledge, and mentorship needed to accelerate their growth and prepare for investment readiness.

“The programme will be held from 18 to 23 August 2025 at TEGAS Digital Village.

“For the first time, TEGAS will be collaborating with Growth Charger, a leading startup accelerator, to deliver the bootcamp.

“This new partnership will bring enhanced expertise and dynamic content to the programme, ensuring participants gain real-world insights and practical tools to grow their ventures,” it said on Monday.

Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment who is also the Chairman of TEGAS, Datuk Len Talif Salleh said TPAB is part of the continuous commitment to empower Sarawakian youth and entrepreneurs.

“This initiative is not just about building startups, it’s about nurturing a generation of bold thinkers and problem-solvers who can drive meaningful change in their communities and contribute to the state’s vision of becoming a thriving, inclusive digital economy by 2030,” he said.

He emphasised that by equipping early-stage founders with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support, TEGAS is building the foundation for a robust innovation ecosystem and preparing Sarawak’s talent to compete both nationally and globally.

Meanwhile, Director and Co-Founder of Growth Charger, Iskandar Shafi’i said Growth Charger is proud to be part of TPAB’s 7th Cohort and looks forward to working with Sarawak’s next wave of bold and brilliant founders.

TPAB 2025 will feature expert-led workshops, technical and business development tracks, one-on-one mentorship, and networking opportunities with investors, corporates, and industry leaders.

Apart from that, this programme offers hands-on modules in design thinking, business model development, growth strategies, and no-code/low-code prototyping, with participants receiving guidance from top startup coaches, investors, and founders from across Malaysia and beyond.

The programme culminates in a Final Demo Day, where startups will pitch their ideas to angel investors, corporate partners, and ecosystem stakeholders. The top five startups will be provided with post-programme support, including six months of mentoring, investor matching, and continued access to valuable resources.

The eligibility criteria for TPAB 2025 require each team to have at least one Sarawakian founder or co-founder. The programme is open to startups in the ideation or early-growth stage that demonstrate a compelling problem-solution fit. Teams may consist of up to four co-founders, and all participants must commit to full participation throughout the six-day programme.

Since its inception, this programme has supported dozens of Sarawakian startups, many of which have gone on to join national accelerators and launch successful ventures.

Applications for the 2025 cohort are now open and will close on 13 July 2025. Interested applicants may register at https://bit.ly/TPAB2025. -UKASnews