So Did Warisan Global make any money from GEW 2008?

Friends,

I had a ball of a time hosting GEW2008 and look forward to hosting GEW 2009.

I made new friends, met a lot of interesting people and hopefully contributed a little to the entrepreneurship landscape in Malaysia.

Both the Kauffman Foundation and Make Your Mark was hugely helpful and supportive. I thank them for their support and guidance.

In Malaysia - to all my friends, partners and sponsors.

I am sure many of you benefited one way or another from GEW.

However, I was asked this question a few days ago..and I thought I might as well make everything known to everyone - although I believe its nothing wrong in making some money if value is delivered to the sponsor.

However, you can judge for yourself if we profited from GEW - I am only recording what was given to WG. IF costs were incurred by partners for their events, this will not be reflected here as that is the spirit of GEW - all partners are responsible for thier own activities.

Here you go..

1. We were paid RM9,800 by MSC Malaysia as a project management fee for event management of the launch - which we used RM2,500 to pay Yawa and the rest was for the launch gimmick and incidentals. This is not our usual fee for event management - it was part of our contribution to the launch of GEW. MSC Malaysia picked up the entire cost for food etc. They also sponsored the venue for our first partners' meeting.

2. TeAM sponsored RM5,000

3. The Media Shoppe sponsored us RM1,000 - for the 2nd Partners' Meet

In total we got RM15,800 in cash, which we used for each of the central event's related expenses and any surplus was used for the costs of the secretariat - printing button badges, buntings, banners etc.

In terms of Sponsorship:

1. Giordano - 104 t-shirts

2. Graduan Bersatu - 400 t-shirts

3. The Kauffman Foundation : 85 t-shirts

4. Make Your Mark - costs of Oli Barret's travel and stay in Malaysia

5. MIRC - food and beverage and venue for the Speed Networking with Oli Barret event;

6. Kelantan Delights : Venue & tea for the Soft Launch and lucky draw prizes for the closing

7. Magic Gamewerks - 10 sets of games as lucky draw prizes for closing

8. Enak Restaurants - prizes for lucky draw

9. Ecoparadise spa - 150 vouchers for lucky draw

10. MeCD - venue and lunch for MOU signing

11. Brabons - entertainment for Cocktail party

12. Showcraft - PA system for Cocktail party

13. Erduo - some video and photographs.

14. Datuk Ahmad - media contacts

During the entire GEW, WG bore the entire cost for the Secretariat ( travel, staff salaries, office costs etc), the merchandize (buntings, banners etc) and part of the costs for the coctail party (the balance was paid by the attendees -RM40/pax) and the entire costs for the closing ceremony.

We spent more than we got. Not because we could not get any sponsorships or because we were discouraged by the Founders, but because we made the decision not to actively get sponsors since this was the First time ever GEW was being held globally, we wanted to ensure success and decided we will first invest in this innovative campaign on Entrepreneurship and see for ourselves its impact and reach.

We are truly exhilarated we made that investment. The benefits to us was immense and so it is with our partners, I believe.

Trust the above clarifies.

Having said this, I wish to reiterate here that WG is a 'For Profit Social Venture". We exist to design, develop and deliver projects with a Social Focus and we do need to make profits from our business to ensure we continue to exist.

Where we can, we will not hesitate to reinvest some of our profits in projects that may have a long term benefit to society and the country - especially if it benefits the young ones.

We believe in "doing well by doing good".

Cheers

p.s : anyone, if i have forgotten to include any one or mention your contribution, please leave a comment here or buzz me and I will be happy to make good the omission.