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THE Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) today extended its outreach to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sabah, offering direct access to equity crowdfunding (ECF) and peer-to-peer (P2P) financing avenues to support growth and working capital needs.
Held under the theme “Empowering Financing, Advancing Growth”, the one-day roadshow in Kota Kinabalu was officiated by Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe (pic).
The event drew some 300 participants, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, venture capitalists and representatives from government agencies and financial institutions.
Organised by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and supported by Invest Sabah Bhd, the event provided a platform for local MSMEs to engage with SC-registered ECF and P2P platform operators. It also featured breakout sessions and real-life case studies of businesses that have benefitted from MyCIF funding.
“MyCIF has been a game-changer for MSME growth, providing much-needed capital that is often a challenge to access through traditional channels,” said SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi.
He added, “The Sabah roadshow is integral to MyCIF’s national outreach, designed to expand awareness of alternative financing among businesses across Malaysia. It provides entrepreneurs a direct insight into how ECF, P2P and MyCIF can fuel their growth at every stage.”
MyCIF, launched under the 2019 Federal Budget by the Ministry of Finance and administered by the SC, has co-invested in over 70,000 campaigns and supported more than 9,500 MSMEs nationwide. As of 2024, the fund has exceeded RM1 billion in total co-investments and mobilised over RM6 billion in combined public-private funding.
It currently operates on a 1:4 co-investment ratio under its General Scheme and 1:2 for targeted initiatives such as the Food Security and Environmental & Social Impact Schemes.
“The government, through MyCIF, continues to support MSMEs as key engines of growth, innovation and job creation. This is evident in the RM40 million allocation under Budget 2025 to further expand access to ECF and P2P financing nationwide,” said Faiz.
Invest Sabah Chief Executive Officer Dr Firdausi Suffian welcomed the partnership with the SC, stating, “Partnering with the SC in this event has enabled Invest Sabah to amplify its efforts in empowering local entrepreneurs. This roadshow is a vital platform for MSMEs in Sabah to gain insights and forge connections that can help propel their businesses forward.”
Since its inception, MyCIF has successfully attracted RM4.10 in private investments for every ringgit co-invested, underscoring a strong crowding-in effect. It has been instrumental in increasing financial inclusion and expanding the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly for smaller firms often overlooked by traditional financing institutions. - July 31, 2025