USM PENANG, 7 July 2022 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Innovation and Consultation, Division of Research and Innovation has successfully launched the Pitch@USM programme in December last year.

Winners of the programme would be given RM10,000 to start their journey to realise their ideas based on the pitch that they have presented.

The objectives of this programme are:

1. Pitch@USM will focus on showcasing innovative ideas with comprehensive/solid background study.
2. Cultivate a creative and entrepreneurial culture via spin-off and start-up innovative ideas at USM.
3. Foster technology transfer from R&D activities in USM.
4. Provide a conducive platform with funding opportunities and regulatory assistance for USM staff and students to pitch their impact-driven business ideas.
5. Encourage industrial collaboration and involvement to translate research or idea into potential commercialisation prospect.
6. Catalyze the start-up eco-system at USM.

Today’s event focused more on sharing sessions, mostly pertaining to Start-Ups, Technopreneurs, Social Enterprises, Pitching strategies and all the opportunities afforded to all the students to embark on their journey in creating a start-up business or company.

The USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan during his inspiring speech said that, USM is always open in receiving ideas from the students and researchers that would bring major benefits to the institution and also the communities.

“During my time back then, there is a limited number of opportunities for the start-up programme to be conducted, but I have been very lucky to experience the start-up programme which had taught me a lot of things.”

“I hope all the winners will take this opportunity and bring all the good things to the institution and communities,” he added.

Pitch@USM also announced the winners for the first cycle. The three winning teams have been judged thoroughly and have been chosen to be awarded a RM10,000.00 grant for their start-up.

The first team CIRCULAR, consist of three students from the School of Biological Sciences, the second team is NECTAR ARISTAEUS also from the School of Biological Sciences and the last team is RAMSBOT, which consists of USM researchers.

Also present, Director of Centre for Innovation and Consultation, Professor Ir. Dr. Srimala Sreekantan; Chairperson of PITCH@USM, Associate Professor Dr. Tan Jun Jie; Director of HEBAT Development Centre (HDC), Hazlan Abdul Hamid; and CEO of Digital Penang, Tony Yeoh.

Text: Mohamed Hadri Iman Mohamed Hazli/Photo: Shahnizam Ab Rahim