Sarawak rolls out TechFrontier Incubator to grow high-value digital industries

KUCHING (Feb 5): The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) has launched the TechFrontier Incubator Cohort 1 initiative to accelerate research commercialisation, stimulate deep tech innovation-led enterprise creation and support the growth of high-value industries in the state.

SDEC chief executive officer Dato Sudarnoto Osman said the initiative aligns with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint.

“This drives innovation-driven growth, digital adoption and talent development as key enablers of the state’s journey towards high income status by 2030,” he said in a statement.

He explained that the TechFrontier Incubator is not merely about supporting innovation but about converting intellectual capital into economic value by building new enterprises, creating high-skilled jobs and strengthening the state’s position as a hub for research and development, commercialisation and innovation in digital technology.

He added that the initiative also bridges the gap between research and industry by supporting the transformation of validated technologies into scalable, market-ready solutions.

“The programme opens opportunities to researchers to expand their research outputs beyond laboratory settings while focusing on innovations with strong potential to create value for the state’s economy,” he noted.

According to SDEC, NEXEA has been appointed as the programme partner in this inaugural cohort, bringing structured mentorship, entrepreneur matching and access to experienced founders and investor networks.

“High-potential teams may also tap into potential investment funding of up to RM250,000 to accelerate product development and market entry,” said SDEC in a statement.

The programme focuses on key enabling technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and energy solutions, applied across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, food technology, construction and tourism.

Through this approach, the TechFrontier Incubator aims to stimulate new ventures, attract investment and deliver sustainable economic impact for Sarawak.