The NAWEM-MMU Entrepreneurship Fest 2026, held on 12 and 13 June 2026 brought together students, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, mentors, and startup founders through a vibrant two-day programme themed “Innovate, Pitch & Relax.”
Organised in collaboration with the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM), the festival provided participants with valuable exposure to entrepreneurship, innovation, wellness, sustainability, and industry networking.
The festival was launched by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, President and CEO of MMU, who encouraged students to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets characterised by creativity, adaptability, and resilience, while highlighting the importance of developing graduates who are not only job seekers but also opportunity creators. The opening ceremony also featured a welcoming address by Puan Saliza Abdullah, President of NAWEM and an MMU alumna, who underscored the significance of industry-academia collaboration in nurturing future entrepreneurs.
Throughout the two-day festival, participants benefited from a series of insightful sharing sessions delivered by accomplished entrepreneurs and industry experts, including Dato’ Dr. Hooi Lai Lin, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Ken-Rich Corporation Malaysia. The programme also featured experiential activities such as wellness workshops, business exhibitions, and networking opportunities involving student entrepreneurs and industry partners. These activities provided attendees with practical exposure to the entrepreneurial landscape while fostering meaningful connections and encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences.
A key highlight of the festival was the Startup Pitching Competition, which showcased innovative business ideas from aspiring entrepreneurs. iConnect by Ali Maham (PG) emerged as the Champion and received a cash prize of RM5,000, while 974 by Muhammad Iman Hafizi (FCI) secured the First Runner-Up position with RM2,000. Zeroless Apparel by Muhammad Aizat Bin Roslee from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) was named Second Runner-Up and received RM1,000. In addition, three MMU startups—TechVerse Production founded by Teoh Sing Jian (PG), DuitFlow founded by Yong Zi Jing (FCI), and Boost Niaga founded by Rishiren Loganathan (FCI) were each awarded the MMU Startup Grant worth RM1,000 in recognition of their entrepreneurial potential and innovative ideas.
The event was also supported by sponsors namely KEN-RICH Corporation Malaysia, YS Electrical & Engineering Sdn. Bhd., Zofar Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Sdn. Bhd., and Anchor Sprint Sdn. Bhd., whose generous sponsorship contributions helped fund the Startup Pitching Competition prizes and support entrepreneurial development initiatives during the festival.
The festival concluded with mentorship and networking sessions, reaffirming the shared commitment of MMU and NAWEM towards strengthening Malaysia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and empowering the next generation of innovators. Beyond celebrating entrepreneurial achievements, the event served as a valuable platform for students to gain industry insights, build professional networks, and take meaningful steps towards transforming their ideas into impactful and sustainable ventures.
