Sabah tech firm wins award
Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 Text Size: Chau (fourth from left) with ICIA Startup Exchange Grand Award. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah-based tech development company Einstronic Enterprise Sdn Bhd won the Grand Award at the 2025 International Creativity and Innovation Awards (ICIA) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The award-winning product, the SprouT MAKER: BOX Starter Kit, was locally researched and developed by Henry Chau. The company was founded by Law Chau.
Advertisement The plug-and-play STEM education kit is designed for student learning, enabling hands-on experimentation with IoT and coding. Featuring modular design and visual programming, the kit offers a fun, interactive and practical approach to tech education, making it suitable for widespread classroom use. 'I never imagined that a simple learning kit we developed in Kota Kinabalu would make it to an international stage,' Chau said. 'This award does not just belong to me, it belongs to the entire team, our supporters and Sabah,' he said.
Advertisement The ICIA is a global innovation platform jointly organised by Krya Global (Indonesia), UEH College of Technology and Design (Vietnam) and the National Startup Support Center (NSSC) of Vietnam. It is held in conjunction with the United Nations' World Creativity and Innovation Day, bringing together students, educators and startups from over 20 countries for showcases, innovation challenges and networking events. One of the key highlights is the Startup Exchange, which invited 30 international startups from 20 countries to pitch, exhibit and collaborate. Held from April 25 to 27, the event featured startups from fields such as health tech, sustainability, and education. Einstronic was among the selected teams and the only representative from Sabah. 'The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy,' Chau recalled. 'Connecting with entrepreneurs, mentors and ecosystem leaders from different countries helped me realise Southeast Asia's potential and Sabah's role in it. "This success would not have been possible without the support of two local organisations: the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic) and the Sabah Techpreneur Association (Sata),' he said. Scenic is a major force in developing Sabah's local startup ecosystem, offering funding access, startup training and international exposure. They helped Chau seize the opportunity and provided full support throughout his international journey. 'Chau's story proves that with the right ecosystem, Sabah entrepreneurs can thrive on the global stage,' said a Scenic representative. Sata, a community-led organisation made up of local tech entrepreneurs, played a vital role in connecting Einstronic with Krya Global and encouraging cross-border collaboration. Einstronic is a local R&D and electronic hardware supplier company headquartered in Kota Kinabalu, focused on innovation in technology and education. Their education initiative, Maker Nation, led by Stephen Chau, delivers programmes in IoT, robotics and 3D printing to schools and communities. With this prestigious award, the Einstronic team is preparing for its next phase of growth. The company has received an exclusive invitation to Techfest Vietnam 2025, one of Southeast Asia's leading innovation festivals. Looking ahead, the team plans to expand its regional partnerships, increase its educational impact and bring 'Made in Sabah' tech to the world. The award has already sparked international interest, with startup teams from Vietnam and Thailand expressing interest in collaborating with Einstronic. These early conversations suggest that the SprouT MAKER:BOX Starter Kit may soon reach a broader Southeast Asian audience and extend its educational impact beyond Malaysia. 'This is just the beginning. We have lit the spark, now it is time to build the fire,' Chau said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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