THE Penang Women Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme (PenMentor) returns for its sixth edition, continuing its mission to empower more women in the field of entrepreneurship.
Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) chief executive officer Datuk Ong Bee Leng announced that PenMentor will run for three months, from August to October 2025.
Ong shared that the programme consists of four intensive courses and six guidance sessions, with mentors assigned to support each group.
“PenMentor programme is divided into three language groups, namely Malay, English and for the first time this year Mandarin. Each group will have 35 participants.
“The mentees will then be divided into smaller subgroups consisting of eight mentees and two mentors. PWDC, will once again partner with Digital Penang to oversee the Digital Marketing module.
“The programme is placing a stronger focus on digital marketing, reflecting its growing significance in today’s business landscape.
“Recognising the important role of digital tools in business today, the digital marketing workshop has been extended to two full days,” Ong said during a press conference at Komtar yesterday (June 5).
It is learned that key topics such as TikTok Shop, Canva, and CapCut will be among the subjects taught in the workshop.
According to Ong, the programme is open to women aged 18 and above, with senior citizens also encouraged to participate.Applicants must be residing in Penang and may apply with or without existing SSM registration.
“The participation fee is RM200 for individuals in the B40 category, while those in the M40 and T20 categories are required to pay RM400.
“They should be operating a micro or start-up business that is less than two years old, and must be personally managing and selling their own products.
“Mentees must also be able to fully commit to a three-month, in-person, class-based programme,” she said.
Meanwhile, state Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said that today’s biggest challenge is no longer just capital or product but digital proficiency.
Lim noted that, according to The Asia Foundation’s 2024 study, only 48.6% of Malaysian women use the internet, compared to 51.4% of men.
“Although Malaysia has built a strong digital business ecosystem over the past 25 years and is considered digitally ready, many small businesses, especially those run by women are still not ready for digital transformation.
“In today’s economy, digital skills are no longer optional but they are essential.Automation, online marketing, and digital tools not only save time but also boost productivity and profits.
“That is where initiatives like PenMentor play a crucial role. The programme aims to empower women entrepreneurs who lack digital skills and help them thrive in today’s fast-changing economic landscape.
“To put things into perspective, 97.4% of businesses in Malaysia are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Yet, only 20.6% of these are women-owned.
“MSMEs currently contribute 38.4% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP). Imagine the possibilities if more women participated, the economic impact could be significantly amplified,” she added.
Lim also shared that more than 350 participants of the PenMentor have been successful since 2020.
“For instance, Ganga Devi Ganesh, owner of Chitthi Spice Sdn. Bhd., a homegrown company, described PenMentor as a stepping stone that taught her to appreciate every customer, every support, and every small success.
“Today, Chitthi Spice is not only well-known in Penang but has also shipped its first order to Canada and is negotiating the expansion of its market to the East Malaysia through distributors.
“This is what we mean by real transformation. It is not just mere business, but growing, empowering, and putting the country’s name on the international stage,” Lim added.
Apart from that, two mentees from the previous PenMentor programme, Saudah Mohd Fuzi and Aniza Ismail, shared their success stories. Saudah, who runs a Yong Tau Foo business, and Aniza, who operates a car rental business, said their incomes increased after joining the programme.
PenMentor’s English chief mentor, Bharati Suresh Chand, commended PWDC and the state government for their unwavering commitment in delivering an impactful mentorship programme.
ENS Thirupathi Group of Companies, Digital Penang, Penang Development Corporation, Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) are the sponsors for the programme.
The strategic partners include, non-governmental organisations such as, WomenBizSENSE, National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM) Penang Chapter, JCI Pearl, Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Mutiara, Penang Elite Womenpreneur Association (PEWA) and Persatuan Usahawan Wanita Bumiputra Malaysia-USAHANITA.
Registration can done via the following link,
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3Cf2p__geDb2wiNqPGW54Xx_9t8MWFFVytYqKnU4SmWF8Pg/viewform.
For further enquiries, please contact PWDC officers Mr. Farid or Ms. Hanis at 04-261 2835, or visit their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3tdUH7oF/?mibextid=wwXIfr. The closing date is on July 31.
Poster of the programme:-
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat