Sabah Creative Economy & Innovation Centre (SCENIC)

What Sabah Creative Economy & Innovation Centre (SCENIC) does

Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) is a Sabah State Government initiative, approved by the Sabah Cabinet in August 2019 and operating under the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah (KPSTI) from Kota Kinabalu. Headquartered at Lot 12, Ready Built Factory 5 in KKIP with a secondary facility at the Digital and IoT Sandbox in Wisma Bandaraya, SCENIC functions as an ecosystem orchestrator rather than a commercial product company: it does not sell software or services but builds Sabah's creative, technology, and social-enterprise capacity through three pillars — Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Creativity.

SCENIC's core offerings include the SCENIC Creative Academy (Malaysia's first Toon Boom Authorised Training Centre for animation), the Digital and IoT Sandbox (launched December 2022 under the Sabah Maju Jaya Plan), the Sabah Sandbox Accelerator (structured TRL-graded incubation and acceleration), Kre8tif! East Sabah (animation industry platform), the SE Summit, Festivscape: Buy For Impact (market access for social enterprises), INNOVATHON (innovation competition with up to RM100,000 cash and RM1 million business support), the SCENIC-Hasanah grant initiative (up to RM50,000 per social entrepreneur), and the Social Enterprise Directory. The organisation works with 60+ strategic partners including Toon Boom Animation, MDEC, Cradle, FINAS, MRANTI, Yayasan Hasanah, SEWF Amsterdam, British High Commission/Chevening, and multiple Sabah universities.

The business model is government appropriation and grant administration: programmes are delivered free of charge to participants, with funding sourced from the Sabah State Government via KPSTI and supplemented by federal agencies, philanthropic foundations (Hasanah, Yayasan Telekom Malaysia), and international partners. SCENIC monetises indirectly through economic outcomes targeted by the Sabah Maju Jaya Plan — including a projected USD 2.1 billion economic contribution and ~18,000 jobs from the Digital and IoT Sandbox by 2025 — rather than through commercial pricing. Customer segments are fourfold: startups and entrepreneurs, creative talents, social enterprises, and technology innovators, served through a community-led and event-driven go-to-market motion supplemented by enterprise-style structured programmes (Sabah Sandbox Accelerator).

Name

Sabah Creative Economy & Innovation Centre (SCENIC)

Legal name

Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre

Website

https://scenic.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) is a Sabah State Government initiative under KPSTI that builds the state's creative, technology, and social-enterprise ecosystems through training academies, innovation sandboxes, accelerator programmes, grant administration, and events serving startups, creative talents, and social enterprises across East Malaysia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kota Kinabalu

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants Administration: SCENIC is a government initiative funded by Sabah State Government and operates under Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah (KPSTI). The centre administers various grant programmes including Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund (up to RM50,000) for Sabah-based social entrepreneurs, facilitates funding from agencies like Cradle, MDEC, and Malaysia Debt Ventures.
2. Capacity Building and Training Services: SCENIC delivers training programmes, bootcamps, workshops, and accelerator programmes to build capabilities in technology, creative industries, and social entrepreneurship. While primarily government-funded, these initiatives support talent development across Sabah's ecosystem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SCENIC provides free capacity building programmes, training, and ecosystem orchestration services to startups, creative talents, social enterprises, and technology innovators in Sabah, Malaysia. Its core offerings include the SCENIC Creative Academy for animation and creative talent training (including Toon Boom certification), the Digital and IoT Sandbox facility for technology product testing, the Sabah Sandbox Accelerator programme (Incubation TRL 3-5 and Acceleration TRL 6+ phases), the Kre8tif! East Sabah platform for the animation industry, and Social Enterprise ecosystem initiatives including grant administration, summits, and market access events.

Product overview

SCENIC operates as a platform-based initiative under the Sabah State Government's Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (KPSTI), offering a portfolio of interconnected programs organized around three core pillars: Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Creative. The product ecosystem includes SCENIC Creative Academy for talent development, the Digital and IoT Sandbox for technology testing, and the Sabah Sandbox Accelerator for startup incubation and acceleration. Supporting programs include Kre8tif! East for animation industry development, Social Enterprise programs including SEWF Community Hub and Festivscape events, the SCENIC-Hasanah grant initiative, INNOVATHON innovation competitions, and a Social Enterprise Directory. These programs work together to accelerate Sabah's industries through technology, innovation, creativity, and stakeholder collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SCENIC Creative Academy (SCA): An academy under SCENIC focused on nurturing creative talents through capacity building initiatives in animation and creative industries.
• Digital and IoT Sandbox
• Kre8tif! East
• Sabah Sandbox Accelerator (SSA)
• SCENIC-Hasanah Initiative

Products and services

• SCENIC Creative Academy (SCA) An academy under SCENIC that nurtures creative talents through industry-aligned training programmes including Toon Boom animation software certification, cinematography for 2D animation, webcomic creation, and other creative skills development courses for aspiring and existing creative professionals in animation, design, and digital content creation in Sabah.
• Digital and IoT Sandbox A safe environment at Wisma Bandaraya, Kota Kinabalu for digital entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators to create products and test their feasibility, providing testing facilities, validation environments, and pilot programmes for digital and IoT innovations. Expected to contribute USD 2.1 billion to Sabah's economy and create 18,000 jobs by 2025.
• Sabah Sandbox Accelerator (SSA) A structured innovation programme with two phases for researchers, innovators, and startups: Incubation Programme (TRL 3-5) lasting 2 months covering validation, MVP development, and commercial foundation; and Acceleration Programme (TRL 6+) lasting 3 months covering sandbox testing, pilot design, and investment readiness. Programme includes mentorship, validation, industry collaboration, and investor readiness.
• Kre8tif! East Sabah Platform extending opportunities and visibility to animation talent in East Malaysia, building on the Kre8tif! brand that has grown over 16 years into one of Malaysia's leading platforms for the animation content industry. Facilitates knowledge exchange, business matching, and international collaborations.
• Social Enterprise Ecosystem Programmes Capacity building initiatives for social enterprises including the SE Summit, Festivscape: Buy For Impact events, and collaboration with SEWF (Social Enterprise World Forum) to promote social innovation and support ground-up social enterprises addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in Sabah and across Malaysia.
• SCENIC-Hasanah Initiative Grant initiative for Sabah-based social entrepreneurs offering exclusive grants up to RM50,000 for impact-driven businesses from the Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund, supported by Ministry of Finance Malaysia and Yayasan Hasanah, administered by SCENIC.
• Festivscape: Buy For Impact National event featuring social enterprises from across Malaysia to encourage government, corporations, and general public to purchase from impact-driven enterprises addressing social, economic, and environmental issues. At one edition, 10 Sabahan social enterprises generated RM70,000 in total sales in 48 hours at the Kuala Lumpur edition.
• INNOVATHON Musim Ke-3 (Sabah Talent Audition) Talent audition event in Sabah for Malaysia's premier reality innovation challenge. Participants can win up to RM100,000 in cash and access a business support programme worth up to RM1 million.
• SEWF Community Hub Kota Kinabalu International social enterprise event bringing diverse perspectives from around the world to the community in Kota Kinabalu, featuring the SE Kinabalu Awards to elevate local social enterprises, delivered in collaboration with SEWF Amsterdam.
• Social Enterprise Directory Digital directory service showcasing social enterprises across various categories including Agriculture, Arts & Craft, Education, Environment, Fashion, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Technology & Digital, and Tourism across Sabah districts for market visibility and connections.

Quantifiable outcome

• First batch of 10 SCA students secured employment before graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Yayasan Telekom MalaysiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for Festivscape: Buy For Impact event and YTM Social Impact Grant 2022 awarded to SCENIC for Capacity Building and Ecosystem Initiative for Sabah's Social Enterprises.
• SEWF Amsterdam (Social Enterprise World Forum)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration to bring SEWF23 Community Hub to Sabah for the first time, featuring international perspectives on social enterprise, SE Kinabalu Awards, and global-level activities.
• Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration on Enterprise Development Programme for cinematography and 2D animation training, Creative Talent Outreach programmes, and Digital Content Grant support for Sabah-based digital content creators.
• Toon Boom Animation Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Partnership to establish Malaysia's first Toon Boom Authorised Training Centre at SCENIC Creative Academy, providing animation training certification programmes using industry-standard software used by Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. Animation.
• Cradle Fund Sdn BhdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMYStartup collaboration partnership at state level for Sabah to accelerate startup ecosystem development through SUPER and MYStartup initiatives. Includes MyHackathon 2020 where 2 Sabahan startups won RM250,000 grants.
• Yayasan Peneraju BumiputeracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting scholarships for Sabah students in Creative Economy Animation Toon Boom programme at SCENIC Creative Academy, with YP Alumni Sabah being activated and deployed.
• Akademi Seni dan Teknologi Kreatif (ASTiF) - UMScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcademic partnership sending delegates to international programmes like YOCA 2022 and collaborative initiatives to strengthen creative talent development in Sabah.
• National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner providing funding access through Dana Kandungan Kreatif including Dana Pembangunan Skrip, Dana Co-Pro Filem, and Dana Dokumentari Kenegaraan.
• Studio Ace ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative industry partner providing animation and webcomic production expertise and training support for SCENIC Creative Academy programmes.
• Siung FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimation production company founded in 2013, hired 90% of first SCENIC Creative Academy batch, mission to bring stories of Borneo peoples to screen.
• Inspidea Sdn. Bhd.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative industry partner collaborating on talent development initiatives for animation and creative professionals in Sabah.
• Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology (MRANTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner collaborating on technology initiatives including Malaysia Techlympics and innovation programmes.
• British High Commission / CheveningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Government scholarship programme where SCENIC CEO Viviantie Sarjuni completed 1.5-year masters programme in Scotland. Collaboration extended to connect Chevening opportunities with Sabahans including rural communities.
• Bahagian Inovasi dan Teknologi Digital (BITD) - KSTIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment under KSTI working closely with SCENIC on the ground to understand challenges and implement innovation initiatives.
• Chamber of Social Entrepreneur Development (CSED)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Festivscape expansion to Peninsula Malaysia and social enterprise ecosystem development.
• Tegas Digital Village SarawakminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Festivscape expansion to Sarawak and regional social enterprise collaboration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS): Federal agency under the Ministry of Communications responsible for developing Malaysia's film and creative industries. Directly comparable to SCENIC as both administer creative industry funding (e.g., Dana Kandungan Kreatif accessed by SCENIC's ecosystem) and run talent development programs in animation and content creation.
• Yayasan Hasanah: Foundation under Khazanah Nasional funding social enterprises and impact programs. Comparable to SCENIC as a key grant partner (SCENIC-Hasanah Initiative of up to RM50,000 per Sabah social entrepreneur) and operates overlapping social enterprise capacity building initiatives.
• Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC): National government agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry that drives Malaysia's digital economy. Highly comparable to SCENIC as both are government-backed ecosystem orchestrators running accelerator programs, digital talent training, and innovation events, though MDEC operates at national scale while SCENIC focuses on Sabah.
• Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC): Industry-led training and talent development centre in Penang. Comparable to SCENIC as both deliver industry-aligned training, certification programs, and capacity building for high-growth industries, though PSDC focuses on manufacturing and engineering while SCENIC focuses on creative and digital.
• MRANTI (Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation): National technology commercialization and innovation hub operating four R&D and entrepreneurship centres. Directly comparable to SCENIC as both run sandbox facilities, accelerator programs, and act as government-led bridges between researchers and startups, with MRANTI being a confirmed SCENIC partner.
• Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd: Malaysia's early-stage startup funding agency under the Ministry of Finance. Comparable to SCENIC as both fund and run startup competitions (e.g., MyHackathon 2020 where 2 Sabahan startups won RM250K from Cradle) and serve as state-level partners for ecosystem development.

Broad incumbents

• Impact Hub Network: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs supporting social enterprises and entrepreneurs. Comparable to SCENIC as both curate social enterprise ecosystems, run capacity-building programs, and host summits (e.g., SEWF Community Hub Kota Kinabalu aligns with Impact Hub's global SE operations).

Regional players

• Tegas Digital Village Sarawak: State-led digital innovation hub in Sarawak supporting startups and tech entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to SCENIC as the East Malaysia counterpart in Sarawak, providing similar coworking, accelerator, and digital sandbox services, with documented partnership with SCENIC for Festivscape expansion.
• Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC): State-owned agency driving Sarawak's digital economy, equivalent to MDEC's state-level role. Comparable to SCENIC as a regional government-backed peer promoting digital innovation, talent development, and startup ecosystems in East Malaysia.

Others

• Toon Boom Animation Inc. Industry-standard animation software vendor whose software powers Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. productions. Comparable to SCENIC as a core strategic partner and certified training provider (SCENIC is Malaysia's first Authorised Training Centre via Toon Boom), making Toon Boom a critical enabler of SCENIC's creative academy program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SCENICSabah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/myscenic

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sabah Creative Economy & Innovation Centre (SCENIC)