FutureLab

Whether you’re looking to kickstart your career or build talent within your team, understanding the nuances between coaching and mentoring can make a big difference. Let’s dive into this coaching vs mentoring guide to clarify these roles and how they can support your journey.

Understanding the Differences Between Coaching and Mentoring: A Coaching vs Mentoring Guide When it comes to professional growth and career development, two terms often come up: coaching and mentoring. While they might seem similar at first glance, they serve different purposes and offer unique benefits. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring these concepts, and I want to share what I’ve l...

Too many students and young professionals graduate without knowing how the workplace actually works.

The gap is rarely knowledge.
The gap is guidance, confidence, and exposure.

That’s why mentorship matters more than ever.

We shared some of our thoughts and experiences at FutureLab.my
on how mentorship helps bridge education and the workplace, and why more companies and universities are investing in structured mentoring programs.

https://www.futurelab.my/post/exploring-the-role-of-mentorship-in-bridging-education-and-the-workplace

Exploring the Role of Mentorship in Bridging Education and the Workplace At FutureLab.my, we’ve spent the last few years working closely with students, graduates, young professionals, and companies across Southeast Asia. One thing has become clear across every mentoring program we run:Many people do not struggle because they lack qualifications. They struggle because t...

We’re proud to share that FutureLab.my has been selected as one of 46 global social enterprises for the AWS & Deloitte Social Entrepreneur Accelerator (SEA) 2025 in Seattle, USA! 🇺🇸

The program unites mission-driven organizations from around the world to advance social impact through cloud, AI, and innovation across the key pillars of health, education, climate, and workforce development.

Representing Malaysia, our team will join leaders from 25+ countries to explore how technology and mentorship can build more inclusive, future-ready communities.

Thank you to the AWS and Deloitte teams for this incredible opportunity, and to our mentors, partners, and clients who continue to believe in our mission to bridge education and employment gaps through technology.

Founders Forge Demo Day: Celebrating Innovation in Sarawak!

What an incredible day it was at the Founders Forge Final Demo Day, held on July 19, 2025, in Kuching! The vibrant Makeramai Makerspace at Plaza Merdeka set the stage for our top 11 mentees to showcase their groundbreaking innovations, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journeys.

These high-potential startups, having successfully navigated a rigorous selection process, delivered compelling pitches to an esteemed panel of judges:
Mr. David Chew, CEO at FAME International College
Mdm. Afida Khasuma Zaidi, Senior Manager, Strategic Planning & Partnership at TEGAS
Dr. Ayyappa, Assistant Manager in Tech Entrepreneurship and Investment at SDEC

After careful deliberation, we're thrilled to announce the top three ventures that truly stood out.

Our Top Innovators:
1st Place: Inigo from Ruai.my
Solution: A multilingual Voice AI that provides instant, 24/7 answers, automating booking, verification, rescheduling, and issuing e-queue IDs for clinics.

2nd Place: Joanne with her Product Testing Buddy
Solution: An AI-integrated automated testing tool designed for the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), from requirements to regression testing before deployment.

3rd Place: Syed Akmal from Blytz
Solution: An app for live auction bidding, inspired by the US-based Whatnot app, with a strategic focus on the dynamic Southeast Asian markets.

The success of the Founders Forge Programme and this Final Demo Day wouldn't have been possible without incredible support.

A huge shout-out to our mentors who tirelessly dedicated their time and expertise to our mentees since May. Your guidance has been invaluable in shaping these promising ventures.

Our deepest gratitude also goes to the entire SDEC team, including all the Digital Hub Coordinators across Sarawak. Your continuous commitment to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem is truly commendable.

The Final Demo Day not only provided invaluable exposure and networking opportunities with potential investors and partners for our promising entrepreneurs but also powerfully demonstrated the exceptional talent nurtured within The Founders Forge Programme and the burgeoning potential of Sarawak's startup ecosystem.

Heartfelt congratulations to all the mentees for their hard work and dedication, and a huge thank you to our judges, mentors, and partners for their invaluable support. The future of innovation in Sarawak is bright!