KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 20): Satu Creative Services Sdn Bhd, in partnership with Yayasan Hasanah, has launched the Creative Sprint — Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund (HSEF) 2025, allocating RM1 million in grants to social enterprises in the Central and Northern states.

The initiative will fund ventures addressing challenges in environment, arts and public spaces, education and community development. Organisers state the focus this year is on strengthening high-potential changemakers in targeted regions while equipping them with tools to scale.

“Social enterprises demonstrate that business can be a force for good, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and protecting our environment. But no changemaker succeeds alone. They need an ecosystem that believes in them and partners who will stand with them. Through the Creative Sprint HSEF 2025 with Yayasan Hasanah, we are building that support so social enterprises can grow stronger, scale wider and shape a Malaysia that is more inclusive, resilient and sustainable,” said Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin, CEO of Satu Creative.

Apart from funding, the programme will provide access to mentors, investor networks and ecosystem leaders. Selected enterprises will also undergo intensive training, cross-sector networking and capacity-building initiatives designed to create measurable community impact.

“At Yayasan Hasanah, we believe social enterprises are powerful agents of change, capable of transforming communities and addressing some of our most pressing social and environmental challenges. The Creative Sprint HSEF 2025 is about creating a movement that equips social entrepreneurs with the tools, networks and confidence to scale their impact. By investing in their journey, we are investing in a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable Malaysia,” said Stanley Siva, head of social enterprise at Yayasan Hasanah.

The HSEF is currently open for applications and will close on Sept 20. 

To qualify, applicants must be legally registered in Malaysia and have operated for at least six months, with clear and measurable social or environmental goals. They are required to run a commercially driven business model, as non-profit organisations are not eligible and must generate more than 30% of annual revenue from business activities rather than contributions, donations or grants.

The Central region bootcamp will take place in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 7 and 8, with Demo Day scheduled for October 9. In the Northern region, the Penang bootcamp will run from Oct 14 to 15, followed by Demo Day on Oct 16.

More information on the fund and the application can be found on https://www.satucreative.com/