Leave a Nest Malaysia successfully organised WISE 2026 (Women, Inclusivity & Sustainable Entrepreneurship) at RekaScape, Cyberjaya on 22nd October 2026, under the theme “Empowering Every Voice: Women, Rural & Inclusive Communities.”

WISE 2026 was organised in partnership with Institut Keusahawanan Negara Berhad (INSKEN), Cyberview Sdn. Bhd., Bayu Wellness Venture and Avela Luniva Venture, with support from Ibupreneur Malaysia and Persatuan Usahawan Inklusif. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, fostering inclusivity and strengthening Malaysia’s sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The event welcomed 140 participants, bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, industry players, government agencies, universities and community organisations to foster inclusive entrepreneurship, knowledge exchange and meaningful collaboration.

Building an Ecosystem Where Everyone Has Opportunities

The programme began with opening remarks by Ms. Aisyah Abdul Hamid, Head of Human Development Division, Leave a Nest Malaysia, who emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

She highlighted that empowerment goes beyond giving individuals a voice; it is about ensuring they have access to opportunities, knowledge, networks and resources to grow. WISE aims to build an ecosystem where entrepreneurs and underserved communities can connect, collaborate and thrive.

Opening Remarks by Ms. Aisyah Abdul Hamid.

Mr. Ang Kah Heng, Head of Innovation & Industry Development, Technology Hub Development, Cyberview Sdn. Bhd., delivered the welcoming remarks, highlighting Cyberview’s role in developing Cyberjaya’s technology and innovation ecosystem, including its efforts towards technology zone recognition under MDEC.

Mr. Ang Kah Heng delivering his welcome address.

Redefining Inclusivity: Beyond Accessibility

A key highlight was the keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Billy Tang Chee Seng, Founder and CEO of PwD Smart FarmAbility, who shared an inspiring perspective on resilience and inclusivity.

Rather than focusing on what individuals have lost, he encouraged participants to recognise what they can still contribute. He emphasised that true inclusivity encompasses three essential elements: accessibility, belonging and opportunity.

His thought-provoking message challenged participants to consider whether society is merely opening doors for underserved communities or genuinely creating pathways towards a better future.

An inspiring and energetic keynote address by Prof. Dr. Billy Tang Chee Seng.

Strengthening Entrepreneurship Through INSKEN Initiatives

Ms. Nik Ayra Nadira Binti Hazlan from Institut Keusahawanan Negara Berhad (INSKEN) delivered a partner presentation highlighting INSKEN’s initiatives and training programmes designed to support entrepreneurs across various sectors and backgrounds.

The presentation emphasised INSKEN’s commitment to strengthening entrepreneurial knowledge, business capabilities and skills development, enabling entrepreneurs to enhance their competitiveness and build sustainable businesses.

Ms. Nik Ayra highlighting INSKEN’s entrepreneurship initiatives and training programmes.

Showcasing Innovation and Entrepreneurial Potential

WISE 2026 provided a platform for 10 entrepreneurs and researchers to showcase their innovations, business solutions and potential societal impact through pitching presentations.

The participating teams were NANKA Sdn. Bhd., KT Academy Sdn. Bhd., Avela Luniva Venture, EmpowHer Beyond Legacy, Incredible Hearts, Jutjel Sdn. Bhd., Insective Lab, NANOFLEX from Taylor’s University, IOMInsight Sdn. Bhd. and Mindnrobotic.

Alongside the pitching session, 16 exhibition booths showcased entrepreneurial initiatives, innovative products and community-driven solutions, creating opportunities for participants to engage directly with exhibitors, exchange knowledge and explore potential collaborations. Additionally, seven research and project posters showcased research findings, emerging technologies, innovative solutions and programmes offered by participating organisations, fostering knowledge exchange and potential collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs and industry representatives.

 

Together, these activities provided opportunities for participants to gain visibility, introduce their solutions to industry stakeholders and explore potential partnerships for future development.

Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Creating Opportunities for All

A panel discussion titled “Inclusive Entrepreneurship – Creating Opportunities for All”, moderated by Ms. Mahirah Basri, Head of Frontier Development Division, Leave a Nest Malaysia, brought together four distinguished panellists:

• Dr. Maizura Mohamad, Director of Corporate Services, INSKEN
• Ms. Aida Zunaidi, Chief Operating Officer, Ibupreneur Malaysia
• Ts. Mohd Roydean Osman, Vice President, Innovation and Commercialisation, Taylor’s University
• Captain James Anthony Tan, Chief Visionary Officer, Tenaga Alam Sekitar Kita (TEASK)

Engaging Panel Discussion on “Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Creating Opportunities for All.”

The discussion explored barriers faced by underserved entrepreneurs, particularly mothers and women with limited access to technology, business knowledge and professional networks.

Panellists emphasised the importance of understanding individual challenges, providing progressive training and mentorship, strengthening entrepreneurial discipline and supporting researchers in translating their passion into meaningful solutions.

A key takeaway was that sustainable entrepreneurship requires more than financial assistance; it requires continuous guidance, adaptability, strong networks and opportunities to access markets.

Turning Ideas into Opportunities

The programme continued with two concurrent activities designed to encourage practical learning and business collaboration.

Dr. Diyana Binti Abdul Mahad @ Abdul Hamid, Senior Lecturer at Multimedia University (MMU), conducted an interactive workshop titled “From Ideas to Opportunities: Building an Entrepreneurial Mindset.”

Participants actively engaging in an interactive workshop led by Dr. Diyana.

Drawing on the principles of effectuation theory, the workshop encouraged participants to begin their entrepreneurial journey using existing knowledge, skills and networks rather than waiting for substantial capital or perfect conditions.

Participants explored practical entrepreneurial approaches, including leveraging available resources, managing affordable risks, transforming unexpected challenges into opportunities and focusing on factors within their control.

Simultaneously, a dedicated business matching session connected participating entrepreneurs with representatives from Cyberview, 144 Ventures, Growth Charger and NEXEA, providing opportunities to explore business development, potential partnerships and future collaborations.

Connecting entrepreneurs with industry partners through business matching.

Moving Forward: Building an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The event concluded with remarks by Dr. Yuko Ueno, Director of Leave a Nest Malaysia, shared an inspiring vision for the future of inclusivity. She expressed her hope that one day, dedicated platforms like WISE would no longer be necessary because inclusivity would naturally become part of every programme and initiative.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Yuko Ueno.

WISE 2026 demonstrated the importance of bringing diverse stakeholders together to exchange knowledge, showcase innovation and build meaningful connections. Beyond encouraging entrepreneurship, the programme emphasised the need to provide access to knowledge, resources, industry networks and opportunities that enable entrepreneurs to develop sustainable businesses.

Moving forward, Leave a Nest Malaysia aims to strengthen these connections and foster long-term collaboration among entrepreneurs, researchers, corporates, government agencies and community organisations. Ultimately, the true success of WISE lies in creating a future where inclusivity becomes the norm rather than the exception, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has equal opportunities to grow, contribute and create meaningful societal impact.