Social entrepreneurs having fun at the welcome event

Kicking off our new Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia programme

Earlier this year, we announced a new partnership with Biji-biji Initiative to drive positive change in Malaysia by co-creating the Social Enterprise Accelerator Malaysia (SEAM) programme. With the support of IKEA Malaysia, the programme supports social enterprises to scale their business and impact, fostering inclusive growth across Malaysia. 

Now, we're excited to announce the first cohort and welcome them to the programme!

Earlier this month, we hosted a kickoff event at the Beacon Resort, just outside of Kuala Lumpur. We spent two days exploring the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Malaysia, discovering more about our leadership styles, getting to know each other through workshops, and spending the evenings in the hot springs. We also spent a day with the IKEA Malaysia team at IKEA Cheras store in Kuala Lumpur where the social entrepreneurs got a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the store. They learnt more about the IKEA Concept and how an IKEA store operates, from store design and layout to customer experience, logistics, food and sustainability efforts.

 

Meet the first SEAM cohort: 

Angel Community empowers people from marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities, single mothers, and older people, by supporting business development in catering food services. 

Batik Boutique offers skills training and income opportunities to over 400 artisans, including refugees and low-income women, impacting 1,700 beneficiaries. 

  

Earth Heir supports artisans, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes sustainability through training and mentoring. 

  

Graze Market rescues surplus produce to address food insecurity and reduce food waste. Through its work, it also supports communities from lower-income groups and smallholder farmers. 

  

Jiwa Asli Organik supports Orang Asli communities by providing skills training in sustainable farming, transitioning them from forest reliance to organic agriculture. They have trained 25 Orang Asli, with 17 engaged in chicken farming. 

  

LemmeLearn provides vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, children, and youth. It partners with businesses to offer practical training, internships, and employment.  

  

Moms Village Asia empowers women, especially from lower-income groups and single mothers, through initiatives that promote financial independence.  

  

Oupus Organics creates eco-friendly skincare using Borneo's resources, and it equips people from underprivileged communities with flexible jobs and skills training. 

  

The Asli Co. empowers Orang Asli women by creating sustainable income through handcrafted goods. It benefits over 30 mothers across eight villages and generates RM2.5 million for the community. 

  

Upcycled by Fuze Ecooter inspires communities by transforming plastic waste into valuable products. They aim to upcycle 15,000kg of plastic by 2025 while providing sustainable income opportunities for the needs. 

 

These social enterprises were selected for their strong social impact and commitment to creating positive change, especially within communities that are marginalised in Malaysia. 

 

Empowering social enterprises to scale

The selected social enterprises will embark on a one-year programme focused on scaling their impact through tailored mentorship, business support, capacity building, and funding. Over the coming months, they will engage in personalised mentorships with IKEA co-workers, who bring relevant expertise to address each of their unique needs. As Juliana Adam, CEO of Biji-biji Initiative, highlighted, "SEAM is designed to support social enterprises across Malaysia, especially those uplifting people from marginalised communities. Our goal is to support you in creating lasting, sustainable change." 

 

SEAM is a three-year partnership, divided into two programme cohorts, that empowers social enterprises to drive positive social and environmental change for vulnerable and underserved communities. Malcolm Pruys, Retail Director of IKEA Malaysia, stated, "At IKEA, our vision extends beyond our stores and products; it's about making a meaningful impact on the communities where we operate." 

 

A more sustainable and inclusive future

Through SEAM, we are committed to bridging the gaps in resources, support, and networks that social enterprises in Malaysia often face. By supporting them, SEAM aims to strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem in Malaysia, fostering a more resilient and sustainable environment for social enterprises to thrive. Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV, expressed, "We're happy to see the large interest in SEAM. Congratulations to the selected social enterprises! We look forward to supporting your efforts to scale social impact across Malaysia." 

 

We're looking forward to seeing what the next year brings and sharing updates along the way!