“BRAVE brings capital, mentorship, and stock-market readiness to high-potential SMEs”
The BRAVE programme, Bumiputera Rapid Acceleration and Value Enhancement is fast becoming a game-changer for Malaysia’s entrepreneurial landscape. Designed to scale up high-performing Bumiputera SMEs and prime them for Bursa listings, BRAVE brings fresh capital, structured mentorship, and strategic readiness to the table.
A Bold Push Toward Capital Market Inclusion
Launched with RM15 million in funding, BRAVE targets 15 high-potential Bumiputera SMEs in its first phase. Of these, five will receive intensive mentorship and IPO preparation, with the ambitious goal of listing on Bursa Malaysia by year-end.
Eligible firms can tap into alternative financing of up to RM1 million, offered at an attractive 3.5% profit rate. Additionally, up to 20% of the financing principal may be rebated for companies demonstrating strong repayment performance.
Building IPO Readiness From Day One
BRAVE goes beyond financing. Administered by SME Corp. Malaysia with strategic partners including Deloitte Consulting, SIDC, MTDC, and a financing intermediary P2P Nusa Kapital, the programme equips businesses with hands-on guidance on corporate governance, investor engagement, prospectus preparation, and more.
Driving Inclusion in Malaysia’s Capital Markets
Bumiputera representation on Bursa Malaysia has long been a concern for seven percent of listings comprised majority Bumiputera-owned firms as of 2022, and only one new Bumiputera company listed in the past four years. The BRAVE initiative seeks to change that narrative.
As Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized, overcoming limited access to capital, competitiveness challenges, and scale constraints is central to building a resilient Bumiputera entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Collaboration That Matters
The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) and SME Corp. Malaysia lead BRAVE, with MTDC proudly serving as a Rakan Pelaksana (executing partner), as highlighted in their official social media channels.
Charting Malaysia’s Future, One Listing at a Time
In a climate where inclusion, growth, and capital access are interwoven, BRAVE stands out as a decisive effort to elevate Bumiputera SMEs. Through smart investment, mentoring, and coordination, the programme is laying the groundwork for a more balanced and dynamic Malaysian capital market.
