What Projek57 does

Projek57 is a Malaysian social enterprise founded in 2015 by Syed Sadiq Albar and Collin Swee, operating through the legal entity Spirit of 57 Sdn Bhd (1143876-A) and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. The company designs, produces, and sells patriotic unity-themed merchandise — including t-shirts (Classic57, Icon57, Pop57, Polo57, P57), Unity Ribbons (including a premium Royal Selangor pewter edition), and accessories such as mugs, badges, tote bags, and notebooks — featuring iconography of Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Jalur Gemilang. All products are positioned as 'billboards' for a 'Movement of Hope' targeting 1,000,000 Rakyat Malaysia, with 100% of profits channeled to Orang Asli youth empowerment and underprivileged community programs. To date, the company reports 37,084 t-shirts/merchandise and 310,047 Unity Ribbons sold, with RM407,085 disbursed to beneficiary communities.

The business runs a multi-channel, direct-to-consumer distribution model: a self-serve e-commerce store built on WordPress/WooCommerce, a Lazada Malaysia marketplace listing, a physical outlet at Atria Shopping Gallery, and recurring event/pop-up activations. Unit pricing ranges from RM3 for entry-level Unity Ribbons to RM90-RM150 for premium variants, with t-shirts at RM20-RM59; all revenue is transactional with no subscription or recurring pricing. Beyond product sales, Projek57 operates youth programming — Unity Rides, dialogue sessions at universities, and school workshops — in partnership with institutions including Taylor's University, KDU, Universiti Malaya, and corporations such as UEM Sunrise, Columbia Asia, and Tony Roma's. A 5-person team executes operations, partnerships, and programming.

Projek57 holds Social Enterprise Accreditation from Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan (2019) and donor tax exemption eligibility since 13 July 2020, and received the PRCA Malaysia Community Award in 2018. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The company does not disclose funding rounds, does not appear to have institutional investment, and is privately held by its two co-founders. Its geographic footprint is Malaysia-only, served through a bilingual English/Malay web presence.

Name

Projek57

Legal name

Spirit of 57 Sdn Bhd

Website

https://projek57.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Projek57 is a Malaysian social enterprise selling patriotic unity-themed merchandise — t-shirts, Unity Ribbons, and accessories — through e-commerce, Lazada, and a retail outlet, directing 100% of profits to Orang Asli youth empowerment and underprivileged community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patriotic Apparel & Cause-Driven Merchandise

NAICS

Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)

SIC

Retail-Family Clothing Stores (5651)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Artisan, Handmade & Craft Gifts Retail (CRALAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seasonal & Holiday Gifts & Decor Retail (CRALAJAD), Gift, Novelty & Souvenir Variety Stores (CRAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Social enterprise merchandise
• Patriotic apparel retail
• Community merchandise sales
• Youth engagement programs
• Fundraising retail operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Lumpur

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales (T-shirts, Unity Ribbons, Accessories): One-time product sales through e-commerce store and retail partnerships. 100% of profits channeled to Orang Asli youth empowerment and underprivileged community support. Products include t-shirts (RM20-RM59), Unity Ribbons (RM3-RM150), and premium pewter Unity Ribbons (RM90).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Projek57 designs, sources and sells unity-themed apparel and merchandise including t-shirts, polo shirts, Unity Ribbons, mugs, notebooks, badges, bags and steel straws featuring patriotic Malaysian designs such as Tunku Abdul Rahman iconography and the Jalur Gemilang. It complements these sales with youth-focused engagement programs including Unity Rides, dialogue sessions, and workshops delivered at universities and schools, with 100% of profits channelled to Orang Asli youth empowerment and underprivileged community support.

Product overview

Projek57 is a social enterprise selling patriotic merchandise including t-shirts and accessories featuring Malaysian unity themes. The core product lines include Classic57 (flagship featuring Tunku Abdul Rahman), Icon57 (graphic representation designs), Pop57 (vibrant colour variations), Polo57 and Polo Icon57 (polo shirts), and P57 (retro-inspired designs). The Unity Ribbon is a signature accessory inspired by the Jalur Gemilang. Products are available in Unisex, Kids, and Chic Fit (women) sizes. All products are sold through the online shop, and 100% of profits go to the empowerment of Orang Asli youths and helping the underprivileged.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classic57 T-Shirt

Quantifiable outcome

• RM407,085 channeled to underprivileged communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universiti MalayacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2021Launch of Siri Dialog Perpaduan (Unity Dialogue Series) with Universiti Malaya, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), and Pusaka to instill Rukunegara values amongst youth through webinars.
• UEM SunrisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2020Collaboration to thank frontliners during Hari Raya with gifts including Unity Ribbons handmade by Orang Asli youth, cookies baked by autistic youth, packed in batik pouches made by refugees.
• Columbia Asia HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2019Unity Ribbon at launch of Columbia Asia's affordable medical check-up program, with portion of proceeds contributing to Orang Asli empowerment.
• OlaBola The Musical (Enfiniti Productions)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 February 2019Collaboration for OlaBola The Musical (18 Feb - 10 Mar 2019), an adaptation of the 2016 movie about Harimau Malaya football team. Projek57 engaged with the production team and promoted unity messaging.
• Mid Valley MegamallminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 May 2018Projek57 invited to spread Unity message through merchandise and Unity Ribbon at Centre Court booth from 24 May till 19 June 2018 for Hari Raya celebration.
• Dialog Book LaunchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 May 2017Contributory participant in launch of Dialog, an anthology book of Tunku Abdul Rahman's wit and wisdom with diverse Malaysian perspectives.
• The Good ShopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2017The Good Shop (collaboration between MyInitium and Malaysian Social Entrepreneurs) carries Projek57 T-shirts and merchandise at their mobile retail locations.
• LOL@LiveHouse, Trec KLminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 March 2017Charity comedy show 'Laugh Nation' featuring Malaysian comedians Douglas Lim, Andrew Netto, Sulaiman Azmil, and Hydra Malaysia. Guests wore Projek57 T-shirts.
• Experts Live 2017 (Info Consulting)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 March 2017Projek57 shared unity message in collaboration with Info Consulting. Projek57 T-shirts were made the official T-shirts for this event.
• MPH Bookerville CarnivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2017Projek57 participated at Putrajaya International Convention Centre from 28 March to 2 April 2017.
• The Rojak ProjekminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2017Participated in The Rojak Party, a social enterprise using creativity to inspire Malaysian unity and celebrate diversity.
• Fugee SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2016Deborah Henry, founder of Fugee School, received RM3,000 prize donation from Taylor's University winning team for refugee education support.
• KTG Education GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 October 2016Collaborated to award 3 full scholarships for underserved youth across 4 institutions: Linton University College, Pertama Institute of Technology, International Institute of Science Mantin, and Jati Institute. Recipients jointly selected by KTG and Projek57.
• Women of Will Single MomsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2016Engaged single mothers through retail. Each mother received RM5 for every t-shirt sold at bazaar organized with The Pure Life Society.
• KDU University CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2016Co-organized 2nd International Student Entrepreneurship Conference (KISEC) 2016. Projek57 founders Syed Sadiq Albar and Collin Swee invited as speakers.
• Taylor's University Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2016Social Enterprise Project (Sep-Nov 2016): 242 business school students in 10 teams promoted unity message, gained start-up experience, and raised funds. Overall winner donated RM3,000 prize to Fugee School.
• Touch 'n GominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 August 2016Collaboration during Merdeka 2016 for launch of Touch 'n Go payment at NZ Curry House.
• IACT CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 201640 mass communication students assigned to suggest marketing strategies to Projek57 as a competition. Winning team produced a 60-second cinema advertisement for Projek57 shown before Ola Bola rescreening at GSC Cinema.
• Astro Shaw & Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 August 2016Collaboration for Merdeka 2016 Ola Bola movie rescreening. Projek57 T-shirts packaged with cinema tickets. Projek57 offered airtime for cinema advertisement.
• The Star (Newspaper)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 August 2016Joint organizer of Anak-Anak Malaysia Walk 2016 with EcoWorld. Projek57 invited as influencer.
• Tony Roma's MalaysiaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 August 2016Collaborated to spread message of love, unity and pride through 'A Movement of Hope' campaign for Tony Roma's 10th anniversary. VIPs and celebrities signed Projek57 T-shirts at Sunway Pyramid launch.
• Lazada MalaysiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2016Lazada provided full back-end handling for Projek57's online store on their marketplace platform.
• Atria Shopping GalleryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 May 2016Venue partner for Projek57's official launch on 21 May 2016. Also provided first retail outlet location for Projek57 store.
• EcoWorldminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 May 2016Joint organizer of Anak-Anak Malaysia Walk 2016 with The Star newspaper. Projek57 invited as influencer for this unity walk event.
• The Valiram GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2016Key resource partner providing consultation in retail design, visual merchandising, marketing and operations for first outlet at Atria Shopping Gallery.
• Blu Water StudiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2016Partnered with Projek57 to design the unique concept and project manage execution of interior design for first outlet at Atria Shopping Mall.
• AirAsia FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2015Projek57 attended ASEAN Social Enterprise Event organized by AirAsia Foundation. Tan Sri Tony Fernandes visited their booth and expressed support for unity values.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Royal Selangor: Malaysian heritage pewter manufacturer that produced Projek57's premium Unity Ribbon (RM90). Acts as an upstream partner/supplier for Projek57's premium tier and shares the Malaysian souvenir and gift-retail customer.

Broad incumbents

• Cotton On: Australia-founded global apparel and accessories retailer with significant Malaysian presence through Cotton On Kids and Body. Comparable basic-apparel and accessories retail category, but operates at scale without a patriotic or social-impact positioning.
• Padini Holdings Berhad: Listed Malaysian apparel retailer operating brands such as Padini, Vincci, and Brands Outlet across family, women's, and kids segments. Comparable apparel breadth including kids and women's fits, but a broad incumbent without social-enterprise positioning.

Direct peers

• The Rojak Projek: Malaysian social enterprise using creativity and events to inspire Malaysian unity and celebrate diversity. Already a partner of Projek57, it shares the same civic-unifying social-enterprise model and Malaysian audience.
• The Batik Boutique: Malaysian social enterprise selling batik-inspired apparel and gifts, channeling profits to artisan communities. Comparable product mix (culturally-rooted apparel and gifts), social-impact model, and Malaysian retail footprint.
• Biji-Biji Initiative: Malaysian social enterprise designing and selling sustainable lifestyle products and apparel with a social-impact narrative. Comparable as a Malaysian social-purpose retail brand monetizing merchandise to fund community programs.
• EPIC Homes: Malaysian social enterprise focused on Orang Asli housing and community development. Directly comparable beneficiary base (Orang Asli) and Malaysian social-enterprise positioning, though operating in services rather than merchandise.
• Love Your Neighbor (LYN): Malaysian apparel brand built around a faith-and-community narrative, selling T-shirts and merchandise that fund community programs. Closely aligned purpose-driven apparel retail model in the Malaysian market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/projek_57
• Facebookfacebook.com/projek57
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/projek57

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Projek57