Jesselton University College (JUC), in collaboration with Hanakoya, has provided the Floristry Start-up Assistance Programme since 2024, an initiative designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs from low-income and B40 communities in developing sustainable income-generating opportunities through floristry.
Since its introduction in 2024, the programme has provided financial assistance to eligible aspiring florists in the local community through a 30% subsidy on start-up materials required to establish their floristry businesses. By reducing the initial cost of obtaining essential materials, the programme helps address one of the financial barriers faced by individuals from lower-income backgrounds when attempting to start a small business.
The financial assistance is specifically intended to support business start-up needs rather than serving only as a discount on training or course fees. Through the programme, eligible participants receive support towards the cost of materials needed to begin developing and producing floristry products for commercial purposes. This enables aspiring entrepreneurs to apply their floristry skills practically while reducing the amount of personal capital required during the early stage of establishing their businesses.
The programme particularly supports low-income and B40 communities, including women seeking opportunities to develop independent sources of income. By combining entrepreneurship development with direct financial assistance for start-up materials, JUC and Hanakoya help participants progress from acquiring practical skills towards establishing financially and socially sustainable businesses within the local community. Financial sustainability is supported by reducing initial start-up costs and enabling participants to develop income-generating activities, while social sustainability is promoted by expanding entrepreneurship and economic participation among low-income and disadvantaged community members, particularly women, and creating opportunities for greater financial self-reliance and inclusive local economic development.
The Floristry Start-up Assistance Programme has continued since its establishment in 2024 and remained active throughout 2025 to 2026 as part of JUC’s continuing commitment to supporting local entrepreneurship and reducing financial barriers to business creation. From 2024 to 2026, a total of 42 aspiring florists from low-income and B40 communities received support through the programme, with eligible participants receiving a 30% subsidy on start-up materials required to establish their floristry businesses. This financial assistance reduces the initial capital required by participants and provides practical support to individuals who may otherwise face financial barriers to starting a small business.
Through this initiative, JUC provides a practical pathway from skills development to entrepreneurship by helping aspiring florists reduce their initial business start-up costs. The programme assists the start-up and development of financially and socially sustainable businesses by reducing financial barriers to business creation, supporting income-generating opportunities, and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship among disadvantaged members of the local community. The initiative contributes to SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
