One hundred socially conscious young entrepreneurs from around the world will be able to participate in an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) promotion conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur in December.

The entrepreneurs, who are selected through an online competition, will pitch for funding for their business models that promote ICT usage.

"[We] will identify innovative young leaders below 30 that have set-up businesses with a social twist and a business model that leverages on the internet, computer, mobile phone or software," said Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) executive director Rinalia Abdul Rahim at the launch of the online competition in Kuala Lumpur today.

GKP, a Kuala Lumpur-based international group comprising civil societies and government agencies that promote ICT usage, is organising the third Global Knowledge conference which will be held from December 11 to 13 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

The conference will be themed 'Emerging People, Emerging Markets, Emerging Technologies.'

Previous conferences were held in Toronto in 1997 and Kuala Lumpur in 2000. GKP has 100 members worldwide, with large memberships in South Asia and Latin America.

Networking platform

Rinalia said the conference, which is expected to see some 2,000 representatives from governments, the private sector and civil societies attending, will provide a networking platform for the entrepreneurs.

"The forum offers them knowledge, networking, mentorship and financing; crucial things that most young social entrepreneurs need," she said.

At the conference, 10 of the 100 winners will pitch their enterprises to experts to secure funding, she added.

In addition to their biographies, entrants are expected to list how funding would be used to improve their business models. Winners will be announced in October.

"Many young people have an interest in contributing towards a better future, but job offers in the traditional development sector are limited. A social enterprise with its double or triple bottom-line allows them to both earn an income and realise their passion for positive social or environmental impact.

"Their social business model also addresses the challenge of financial sustainability that many traditional, grant-funded development projects face," said Rinalia.