Mid-programme reflections from Malaysia

This article was written by Biji-biji Initiative, our partner for the Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia (SEAM) programme, and first appeared on their LinkedIn channel. 

We’re halfway through the SEAM programme, and what a journey it’s been! 

Since the start of the programme, ten social enterprises have been walking a shared path – learning from one another, building momentum, and taking concrete steps to scale their impact. 

SEAM is designed to support these social enterprises in strengthening their operations, reaching new markets, and growing their teams and offerings – all while staying true to their mission of uplifting communities who are marginalised.
 

A space to reflect, reconnect, and learn

On 7 and 8 March 2025, all ten SEAM social enterprises came together for a much-needed moment of reconnection. The two-day gathering was a chance to reflect on progress, share experiences, and gain practical insights to support their next steps. 

On the first day, entrepreneurs visited the IKEA Supply Distribution Centre tour in Port Klang – offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how IKEA’s supply chain and logistics operate at scale. It was a valuable opportunity to explore how strong systems can support growth, while still prioritising sustainability and community values. For many, the visit also sparked fresh ideas and renewed motivation to scale their operations 

In the evening, we hosted Iftar Bersama, a community dinner and networking event that brought together social entrepreneurs, programme partners, IKEA co-workers, and SEAM’s advisory committee members. It was a space for connection across the ecosystem, where the entrepreneurs shared updates on their growth plans, exchanged feedback, and engaged in conversations with the committee and peers. These interactions encouraged a sense of shared purpose and sparked ideas for future collaboration, a valuable outcome as we work together toward creating a lasting impact. 

The following day, we participated in a Leadership session, facilitated by Merawan. This session focused on enhancing individuals’ leadership capabilities, centered around the theme of Leadership Presence. Through this session, participants developed their interpersonal skills and increased their self-awareness, equipping them with tools to become more effective leaders. The session was designed to guide social entrepreneurs to build stronger relationships within their teams and communities, enabling them to lead with greater confidence and resilience. 

In this journey, it became clear that scaling a social enterprise is not just about strategy but also self-growth. 

In conjunction with International Women’s Day, several social enterprises showcased their products and services to IKEA co-workers as part of a weeklong celebration at IKEA Malaysia. Earth Heir, Moms Village, and Saving Graze took part in the event — highlighting the incredible work they do with women in their communities and fostering meaningful conversations around empowerment, inclusion, and social impact.

Every social enterprise is different. So is every growth plan.  

Through the programme, each social enterprise was paired with a dedicated thought partner, an IKEA co-worker who acts as a sounding board, challenger, and collaborator. SEAM tailored mentorships are designed to support the enterprises’ specific growth goals, whether that’s product development, organisational scaling, or market expansion. 

Some thought partners have also had the opportunity to meet the social enterprises in person — getting to know the entrepreneurs, visiting their communities, and seeing firsthand the impact being made on the ground. 

Complementing the mentorship are a series of masterclasses led by IKEA co-workers and other industry experts. These sessions are designed around what the entrepreneurs say they need most, and grounded in real-world experience.  

To date, we have covered:  

27th January, Theory of Change (ToC) framework: Guiding entrepreneurs to sharpen their long-term impact strategies and align them with their business models.  

3rd March, Designing Inspiring and Functional Spaces: Exploring how workspaces and brand visuals can influence productivity, identity, and sustainability.  

22nd April, Risk Management the IKEA Way: Equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools to identify and manage risks while staying adaptable. 

Small wins, steady progress 

Each social enterprise in the SEAM programme started with a focused growth plan. These range from organisational development to market access, and across the board, progress is taking shape.  

Angel Community partnered with Cubix Food for a food handling course and hired a stay-at-home mother as part of their team. Jiwa Asli Organik expanded their operations and brought in more indigenous community members to manage the farm. Oupus Organics received product certification from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, simultaneously expanding their market to penetrate local pharmacies and clinics. 

Others have taken steps in product innovation and branding: 

LemmeLearn launches LemmeGift — festive gift packs assembled by neurodivergent adults and youth, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Graze Market introduced compostable packaging as part of their waste reduction efforts. The Asli Co fulfilled a bulk order of 1,500 cloth coasters for International Women’s Day. 

There’s also growth on the visibility front: 

Moms Village Asia created new product tags, labels, and seed paper cards for ASEAN markets. Earth Heir was featured by the World Economic Forum and Impact Alliance Malaysia for their work with women and refugee artisans. Batik Boutique opened a new store at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya. Upcycled is expanding into a new warehouse to scale up operations. 

What’s next for SEAM 

As we move into the second half of the programme, our focus is on strengthening ongoing support for the social enterprises by opening up more opportunities for market access, partnerships, and visibility both nationally and globally. Through continued mentorship, targeted engagements, and ecosystem-building activities, we are committed, through SEAM – to enabling sustainable growth and scaling the impact of social enterprise. 

Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia (SEAM) is a partnership between Biji-biji Initiative and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, with support of IKEA Malaysia. The programme is aimed at strengthening the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia through comprehensive capacity-building programmes, strategic partnerships, and advocacy efforts. 

Read more about the programme and participating social enterprises.