To mark the beginning of Alpha Startups™ for Women Pre-Accelerator, we hosted an engaging webinar series spotlighting four female entrepreneurs in Malaysia.
The series known as Startup Stories witnessed these women leaders sharing their experiences and challenges, offering valuable insights for aspiring women entrepreneurs. Here’s a brief recap of the inspiring sessions:
Webinar 1: Startup Stories with Rejina Rahim
“Things change, learn to adapt quickly – Rejina
Rejina Rahim, the founder and CEO of W Vault delved into the initial days of launching her startup. One notable takeaway was her emphasis on resilience. She highlighted the importance of staying steadfast in the face of setbacks, learning from challenges, and using them as opportunities for growth. Here are the key highlights from her session:
- Understand your business goals and what you truly want.
- Figure out your idea and how to turn it into a product.
- Understand your customers to approach them effectively.
- Your team is crucial; plan strategically with Plan A, B, and C.
- When it comes to pitching to investors, focus 30% on the past and 70% on the future.
You can watch the full recording here:
Webinar 2: Startup Stories with Dr.Norilmi Ismail
“Seek help in launching your startup.” – Dr.Norilmi
Dr.Norilmi Ismail, the CEO of SpaceIn, shed light on the significance of networking in growing an early-stage startup. She emphasised the role of mentors, advisors, and a supportive community in growing a startup. Here are some key highlights from her session:
- Planning is important; execution is the key to success.
- Do not be afraid to try. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
- Network! Network! Network!
- Solve a real problem.
- Learn how to communicate about your product.
- Capability knows no gender, but opportunity does—equip yourself, find the opportunities, or create one.
You can watch the full recording here:
Webinar 3: Startup Stories with Dr.Sharon Lee
“As a woman founder, don’t be taken aback by what life throws at you on your startup journey.” Dr.Sharon
Dr.Sharon Lee, the co-founder of MyScripts, delved into the support she received via accelerator programmes in growing her startup. Her key takeaway centred around the importance of joining accelerator programmes, and she encouraged women founders to participate in one to take their startups to the next level.
Here are some key highlights from her session:
- Entrepreneurship is never a straight path; each one of us has our own story.
- Networking will help you get to know the right people.
- Find out who the mentors in the accelerator programme will be.
- Accelerators are useful in the early stages of a startup.
- There is always something new to learn in accelerator programmes.
- Practice your pitch a lot to the point where it comes naturally.
- Don’t be afraid to connect with others on LinkedIn, be they VCs or industry experts.
You can watch the full recording here:
Webinar 4: Startup Stories with Oretha Herrera
“Sit around waiting for the stars to align, and you may never reach your dreams.” – Oretha
Oretha Herrera, the founder and CEO of Oretha Senior Care Concierge highlighted the need to have unwavering perseverance to overcome obstacles along the way and the importance of positive self-talk to keep yourself motivated as an entrepreneur. Here are some key highlights from this session:
- Start now: Don’t wait for one day; the time to start is now. Don’t have regrets that “you should have done that.”
- Persevere: When I knew there was a gap in the community, I kept telling myself, “I will do the best that I can.”.
- Challenge yourself. Self-talk and peep talk helped to keep me motivated.
- Be an encourager. Praise others. Say your ‘thank you’; “You’re doing a great job”. Trust me, it makes a lot of difference.
- Have faith in God; trust that God has a plan.
- Investors want to hear your story. Be genuine and straightforward.
- Be passionate about your business and keep going for it.
You can watch the full recording here:
Are you an aspiring female entrepreneur who is unsure of what to do next?
If you’re an aspiring woman entrepreneur or part of a women-led startup, apply now to the Alpha Startups™ for Women Pre-Accelerator. The registration closes on 19 February 2024. You are welcome to apply to this programme if you:
- You have a startup idea and need help refining it.
- Your startup needs validation and feedback from industry experts.
- You are seeking mentorship to overcome challenges and reach your goals.
- You are seeking networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and customers.
- You require seed funding to launch and grow your startup.
