Malaysia-based 1337 Ventures has launched a fundraising bootcamp, the first equity crowdfunding (ECF) accelerator programme to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The one-month programme focuses on preparing Malaysian SMEs and growth-stage businesses to scale and grow through ECF.
The participants included used goods and idle asset marketplace Unearth and healthtech startup QueueMed Asia, will be raising funds through 1337 Venture's sister company and online platform, Leet Capital.
Besides that, the participants are prepped in five important areas related to fund raising; finance, legal, marketing, business strategy and pitching.
The launch followed 1337 Ventures’ demo day, where investment firms such as The Hive SEA, Tenggara Capital, Gobi Partners, Malaysia Debt Ventures, Kairous Capital, and Rosewood Capital were present for the pitching.
In Malaysia, ECF has been on the rise for local businesses to raise funds.
The Securities Commission Malaysia reported that the total ECF funds raised increased to US$50.6 million in 2021 compared to US$29.1 million in 2020.