The second cohort of the SME Go Digital initiative, which seeks to create 100 digital champions who will inspire company owners and key executives to create customized Digital Roadmaps for their organizations, is now accepting applications from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Penang. SMEs in Penang that have at least 30 workers and a budget set out for their path toward digital transformation are eligible to apply. The SMEs who made the short list will participate in a three-month programme with Digital Penang and its partners for three hours each week.

The programme, according to Mr. Tony Yeoh, CEO of Digital Penang, aims to provide SMEs in Penang with a tailored digital roadmap that will cover topics like a primer on digital transformation, agile and collaborative workforce, connected workplace, omni commerce, data-driven business, and emerging technologies. Wawasan Open University and Malaysia’s Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) are partners in the SME Go Digital Programme 2022. (WOU). Participating SMEs will gain from a training programme for upskilling and certification by WOU, in which a technical mentor will be assigned to give advice, as well as the opportunity for businesses to create a personalised digital roadmap. Additionally, as part of the Advanced Technology MEISTER Program, participating SMEs may also apply for incentives from NCER worth up to RM6,000 per participant.

Through Digital Penang’s SME Go Digital initiative, we expect to see 100 small and medium-sized businesses from Penang emerge and take ownership of their digital journeys. Many firms, especially SMEs, are doing well, but since they lack the knowledge and skills to use digitalization in their operations, Yeoh continued, “we feel that this will be an additional value and they may propel and tap into markets outside of Malaysia. For a second cohort intake, the SME Go Digital Penang will accept applications through December 31, 2022.