CGC100 COMPLETES ITS RUN WITH 100 GRADUATES, 58 REGISTERED BUSINESSES AND 86 NEW JOBS

PETALING JAYA, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- One hundred young Malaysians have now graduated from the CGC100 Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, after Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) celebrated the 30 graduates of the programme’s third and final cohort, at Bangunan CGC. To date, 58 graduates across three cohorts have registered their businesses, collectively creating 86 new jobs.

CGC100 was run by CGC in collaboration with PINTAR Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Education. Launched in 2022, it was designed for young Malaysians aged 18 to 23 from unserved and underserved communities, particularly those from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) backgrounds, and combined structured training, mentoring and financial literacy education with hands-on business experience.

Conducted between August 2025 and February 2026, this final cohort brought together 30 participants from across Malaysia. Over six months, they covered business fundamentals, branding, digital skills, financial literacy and sustainability, and practised pitching their own business ideas.

Between them, graduates now run businesses in sectors including agriculture, food and beverage, fashion and services. According to the report by PINTAR Foundation, 58% of graduates generated income from their businesses following programme completion.

A key objective of CGC100 is to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the financial literacy, financing readiness and confidence needed to navigate the business landscape. PINTAR Foundation’s post-programme impact assessment also indicates that an increasing number of graduates have advanced into the RM10,000 to RM50,000 monthly revenue bracket, reflecting stronger business resilience, growth potential and commercial sustainability.

Chairman of CGC, Dato' Mohammed Hussein, in his welcoming address, told the graduates, "One of the greatest advantages of being young is that you can afford to fail. No successful entrepreneur reaches the top without experiencing setbacks along the way. As Confucius said 'The greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall. Young people must be prepared to take calculated risks. Risk-taking is a key element of entrepreneurship. Kita kena susah dahulu, baru senang. Bukan terus senang tanpa susah.”

Meanwhile, General Manager of PINTAR Foundation, Norzalina Masom, said, “CGC100 is more than an entrepreneurship programme; it is a platform for young people to discover their potential, turn ideas into opportunities and take their first steps towards creating a meaningful future.”

Kaliswaran A/L Seran, 23, from Pulau Pinang, joined the programme without a business. “I started the programme with only an interest in entrepreneurship. Today, I have not only gained valuable entrepreneurial knowledge and skills, but also the confidence, direction and mindset needed to pursue my business aspirations,” he said.

Nur’zuriatina binti Zamri, 23, from Pahang, highlighted the impact of CGC100 on her entrepreneurial journey. “CGC100 is not just about building businesses. It serves as a catalyst for change by providing practical business knowledge and skills, building confidence, and giving entrepreneurs the courage to grow their businesses and pursue greater opportunities,” she said.

Alexander Conrad Johnny, 19, from Sarawak, reflected on what entrepreneurship means to him. “Entrepreneurship is not merely about building a business, but about having the courage to view challenges from a different perspective. Through CGC100, I have come to believe that every idea, experience and effort can become a small step towards creating a greater impact and bringing meaningful benefits to society,” he said.

While the CGC100 has reached its conclusion, its legacy will endure through the graduates it has nurtured, the businesses it has helped build, and the communities it has served. 

CGC remains committed to nurturing future generations of entrepreneurs, and that commitment continues through the CGC Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (CGC YEP). Building on the foundation established by CGC100, CGC YEP will serve as CGC's flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative moving forward. Unlike CGC100, which was primarily focused on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, CGC YEP is open to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 from all backgrounds. 

This broader scope enables the programme to reach a larger and more diverse participant base, extending entrepreneurship opportunities beyond a specific educational segment and amplifying its potential impact. Through CGC YEP, CGC aims to continue equipping young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and financing readiness needed to build sustainable businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to Malaysia's economic development.

About CGC 

Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) was established on 5 July 1972. It is 78.65% owned by Bank Negara Malaysia and 21.35% by the commercial banks in Malaysia. CGC aims to assist Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and Mid-Tier Companies (MTC) by providing guarantee support to enhance their financing access. 

As of August 2026, CGC has availed over 551,000 guarantees and financing to MSMEs valued at over RM107 billion since its establishment. 

Beyond financing, CGC also provides comprehensive developmental support through the CGC Developmental Programme®, a “Beyond Guarantee” initiative that delivers both financial and nonfinancial advisory services, advisory workshops, networking sessions, and access to new markets. These initiatives are designed to enhance MSMEs’ financing readiness, strengthen business capabilities, and facilitate ecosystem connectivity through collaboration with financial institutions, industry partners and relevant stakeholders.

Introduced on 9 February 2018, imSME is Malaysia’s first MSME online financing/loan referral platform, providing businesses with an alternative channel to access financing. To date, it has recorded over 3.25 million visits and 151,346 registered MSMEs. 

For more information, please visit www.cgc.com.my and www.imsme.com.my. 

Alternatively, businesses may visit any of CGC’s branches nationwide for assistance. 

SOURCE: Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC)
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Azman Idrus
Head of Strategic Management & Communications
Email: azman.idrus@cgc.com.my 

Name: Eliya Ayesya Mohd Fisal
Head of Section, PR & Media, Social & Digital Media, and CSR
Email: eliya.ayesyafisal@cgc.com.my

--BERNAMA