Today I found out that it is actually easy to get money from the government.

 

It’s an unusual situation, considering how it seems like it’s always been the other way round. The government wants to increase prices of food la, commodities la, toll, chicken, petrol and roti canai.

 

I attended the CIP Catalyst Info talk for entrepreneurs this morning at Wisma MCA, (and happened to bump into SuperWilson who also had a meeting in the same building).

 

I’ve been hearing about CIP, or Cradle Investment Program, from entrepreneurial fairs but never had a clear picture of what they did, or could do for me.

 

 

 

After today’s session, this is my basic conclusion :   The government is eager, very eager, to give money to aspiring entrepreneurs.

 

Money of Up to RM 150,000.

 

 

I’m a road user, like you are, and I complain like hell when there’s a hike of 10 sen for LDP toll.

 

And if the government gives out RM150,000 to one entrepreneur, that’s gona make 1.5 million road users complain like hell too. Only thing is that this hell is 1.5 million times bigger.

 

 

CIP is basically a pre-seed funding privatized company, that helps to push funds that the government has allocated (RM100 million in total) to aspiring entrepreneurs. Those who have a technology idea, that doesn’t have to be completely original, but can be developed into a business.

 

That said, the idea has to have a certain amount of uniqueness to further convince the analysts that your idea can be commercially viable in the future.

 

So if you’re an entrepreneur with a fantastic technology concept that your gut tells you will be an instant hit, why not give if a shot? Or….if are planning to start a cottage industry like Mencetak Kain Batik, or Membuat Dodol or Kuih Lapis, I strongly suggest you to revise your business plans. Maybe put in a dash of ecstacy in your recipe to qualify for the ‘Uniqueness’ criteria.

 

This is beginning to sound like an advertorial, but I assure you it’s not one.

 

The government is just desperate to give us money to start businesses!

 

 

Perhaps they are tired of the so-called entrepreneurs, that sell kuih bakul, kain songket, trinklets, ornaments, decorative stones etc. If you go to an entrepreneurship fair in Midvalley Exhibition Hall, you’ll know what I mean. You’ll see things like a 55 yr old uncle that’s selling Wild Honey. He proudly labels himself an ‘entrepreneur’. Ugh.

 

wildtualanghoney({Pic taken from www.orangmelayu.com)

 

As some may know, I’m currently working on a certain venture, which for now, I would like to identify as Project ‘P’. A RM50,000 capital injection would be an excellent boost so that I don’t have to go around knocking on my uncles and aunties door for ‘Project P Donations’. Langsung takde gaya.

 

‘Project P Pre-seed Funds’ sound much more gaya right? xD

 

I felt very encouraged during the talk just now, cos when I looked around the audience (of about 100)…

 

 

…there were only 4-5 who were around my age. The rest look like dads and grandpas.

 

I’m really not that old yet! HAHA.

 

So wish me luck when I do apply for funding. Or expect me to come knocking on your door for ‘donations’. Wehehe.

 

 

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

 

 

I fell in love all over again with the girl who gave me a ‘packet kasih sayang’ stuff for cough and cooling effects this morning.

 

 

 

She also had her new name card printed yesterday! Wah bangga me.

 

 

Apparently, these herbs are strongly recommended by Chinese Herbalists in China to combat the AHINI virus. And the herbalist who prepared this charges RM1.20 per packet. Either it’s a con job, or he suddenly lost all of his business sense. For a cure to AHINI (if it works), RM1.20 per packet is peanuts man. Hope it doesn’t give me diarrhoea LOL.

 

And now….I wana announce that I’ll be around for another 9 days more. After which, I’ll be away for 2 months. Ah, there is SO MUCH I’m gona miss.

 

Cheers!
-EVo-