Creative Sprint 2026 Strengthens the Business Behind Social Impact
Satu Creative brings together expertise, networks and funding pathways to help
social enterprises build for sustainable growth
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 15 September 2026 – Twenty-one social enterprises from
Central and Northern Malaysia have completed Creative Sprint 2026, bringing
together founders working to turn purpose into sustainable businesses across the
programme's three themes of Income Pathways, Heritage Conservation and Circular
Solutions.
Now in its third year, Satu Creative's flagship venture development programme
challenged participating founders to look beyond purpose and examine what it takes
to build businesses that last, from understanding their customers and strengthening
revenue models to measuring impact, building partnerships and identifying the right
capital for growth.
Across the Kuala Lumpur and Penang editions, participants put these fundamentals
to work through intensive bootcamps combining practical learning with direct access
to entrepreneurs, investors, industry practitioners and ecosystem leaders.
“Across both cohorts, we saw founders with a strong sense of purpose and a
willingness to challenge their assumptions. Creative Sprint gives them the space to
test ideas, learn from those who have been there, build the right connections and get
clearer on what comes next. What matters now is how they turn those insights into
action and impact,” said Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin, Chief Executive Officer of Satu
Creative.
The programme brought participating founders into conversation with ecosystem
leaders, experienced entrepreneurs and investors, including Tuan Haji Hazani Hassan
of Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), Sam Shafie of pitchIN,
Lilyana Latiff of BETA Foundation, Joe Sidek of Penang Arts Council, Aaron Sarma of
ScaleUp Malaysia, Johnathan Lee of Cradle Fund, Andy Othman of Plug and Play
Malaysia, Khooi Chu Boon of Digital Penang, Howie Chang of Forward College, Jian
Tong Chia of White Room and Wan Dazriq Wan Zulkiflee of SEEd.Lab, with Bank
Simpanan Nasional (BSN) also leading a dedicated session for participating founders.
The bootcamps culminated in Pitch Days in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where
participants presented their ventures to mentors, investors and ecosystem leaders.
With support from Yayasan Hasanah, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Digital Penang,
Malaysian Business Angels Network (MBAN) and Artem Ventures, Creative Sprint
connected founders with feedback, networks and potential pathways to funding,
partnerships and market opportunities.
“Social enterprises have an important role to play in addressing the needs of
communities, but creating lasting impact also requires strong and sustainable
businesses. Through the Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund and our collaboration with
Satu Creative, we are supporting founders with access to funding, knowledge and
networks that can help them strengthen their ventures and grow their impact. We are
encouraged by what we have seen from this year’s participants and look forward to
seeing how their journeys continue,” said Puan Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Managing
Director and Trustee, Yayasan Hasanah.
For the participating social enterprises, Creative Sprint is only one part of the
journey. Eligible ventures will have the opportunity to receive grants of up to
RM100,000 to support their next stage of growth, alongside the connections and
opportunities developed through the programme. The focus now turns to putting
those insights into action and building stronger businesses that can sustain their
purpose, expand their reach and deepen their impact.