MPT and MCF Partner to Cultivate Next Generation of Innovators with Myanmar Youth Technopreneurship Development Program 2019

(Yangon, 21^st January 2019) The Myanmar Youth Technopreneurship Development Program, MPT’s business incubation initiative in partnership with the Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF), is organizing for the second time following its successful inaugural run last year. The 2019 program kicked off with a pre-selection event in Yangon on 20^st January after opening the applications on October 22 last year with teams from lower Myanmar with the best submissions of business ideas for technology, telecommunications or innovative solutions has been chosen for a weeklong intensive boot camp that will provide guidance on strengthening their capabilities and proposals. An upper Myanmar pre-selection event in Mandalay will be held later this month on 26^th January.

There are altogether 110 teams nationwide with various business ideas and products applied for this program and 15 teams has been selected to represent lower myanmar. Now, the program has just concluded its lower Myanmar team selections, with judges picking out five teams in Yangon to undergo entrepreneurial business workshops and training in broad areas such as entertainment, civic tech, agriculture, healthcare, business, society, education, society and IoT (Internet of Things). Fielding submissions from the enterprising teams, the participants had to respectively showcase their entrepreneurial potential by introducing their unique products for specific audiences, identifying problems and creatively proposing solutions.

At the final event in February, following the boot-camp for the teams from lower and upper Myanmar, they each have to provide a more comprehensive presentation through which the final three winners will be selected to receive seed funding worth Ks 8 million each and the opportunity to gain 6-month access to a working space at Kanaung Hub, which is the MCF’s business incubation centre. With the close mentorship and assistance from experienced start-up business entrepreneurs, they will have the opportunity to work closely with them and grow their businesses. The rest of the selected teams will also receive Ks 500,000 and other prizes, for their efforts.

Information on the shortlisted teams from lower Myanmar and their submissions indicated as below:

The five teams from the Yangon event will be joined by their peers from upper Myanmar following the pre-selection in Mandalay, with the final 10 teams in total from both zones then having the opportunity to present their start-up business ideas and propose them to the media and the board of judges at the final event. The judging panel comprises of 12 top technopreneurship industry stalwarts including U Thaung Su Nyein, Daw Cho Thiri Maung, U Aung Aung, U Zaw Moe Tun, U Khun Oo, Daw Khin Thet Maw, Daw Lynn Lynn Tin Htun, U Aung Kyaw Moe, U Htin Aung Khine, U Tun Khine, U Min Zeyar Hlaing and U Zaw Win Tun. Awaiting the selected teams will be 9 days boot camp that will greatly aid their growing ambitions with structured sessions including progress review meetings, workshops, mentoring and pitching sessions by the experienced mentors lending their considerable expertise in particular areas of study.

Mr. Yoshiaki Benino, Chief Operating Officer of MPT-KSGM Joint Operations said, “MPT congratulates all the selected teams from lower Myanmar, who have demonstrated their potential and will go on to compete with their counterparts from upper Myanmar in the next stage. Having already successfully unearthed amazing technopreneural talents previously, we are pleased to be collaborating with the MCF for a second year to conduct the Youth Technopreneurship Development Program, a business incubation key pillar in our CSR activities under “Myanmar in our Heart” initiative. The next generation has much to offer and we are committed to helping them realize their potential as they aim to achieve commercial success. In doing so, we hope their ventures will go on to also improve Myanmar’s economy, technology and other areas, thus moving the country forward.”

U Khun Oo, the President of Myanmar Computer Federation said, “We are deeply honoured to again be partnering with MPT for this technopreneurship competition, starting off with this event in Yangon for lower Myanmar before organizing the pre-selection for the upper Myanmar entrants in Mandalay later this month. It is always inspiring to see youths pursue their innovative ideas and by facilitating their business plans, we enable them to progress and leave a lasting positive impact on their communities and country. With technopreneurship now being a viable career and business path for youth, we would like to encourage more young Myanmar people to consider turning their ideas into success stories, with support now accessible from initiatives like this which not only provide funding, but also industry expert mentorship to help them reach their aspirations.”  

For more information about the competition and other MPT’s CSR activities, please call 106 or visit MPT’s official website at www.mpt.com.mm . You may also visit MPT’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mptofficialpage MCF’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mcf.myanmar.computer.federation/ and Myanmar Youth Technopreneurship Development Program’s Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/mmtechnopreneurship/ for further details.