KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Dates Valley's success in the Selangor Care Accelerator (XCare) 2026 programme has not only strengthened its brand recognition but also triggered a surge in sales, with its products selling out following the announcement of its win.
Its founder, Nurul Alia Md Noor, said the victory marked a significant milestone for her business, which produces probiotic- and prebiotic-based food products, while also boosting customer acceptance of its offerings.
She said the recognition from the Selangor government had also motivated her to continue expanding the business and strengthening its products' position in the market.
"I feel incredibly happy and motivated to have been selected as an XCare winner because this recognition is a truly meaningful achievement.
"This victory has given me renewed enthusiasm to continue growing my business. In fact, our products sold out after the winners were announced," she said.
She was speaking after receiving the recognition at the Selangor International Care Expo (SICE) 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here yesterday.
Nurul Alia said participating in XCare had given her the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of various aspects of business management, including capital, production processes and operations, through mentorship.
She said the programme's practical approach also allowed participants to gain hands-on experience in developing their respective businesses.
She encouraged more entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities and guidance provided by the Selangor government to enhance their knowledge and expand their businesses.
Meanwhile, another winner, Yew Tian Tian of Cutie Cottage Sdn Bhd, said the recognition had boosted her confidence and opened doors to strategic collaborations.
She said the mentorship provided throughout the programme had helped her better understand aspects of business management that she had previously paid less attention to.
Cutie Cottage provides childcare services for babies as young as two months old.
Yew also expressed support for the Selangor government's efforts to empower women and said she hoped to strengthen her operations and skills to expand her business over the next five years.
Another winner, Aishah Md Noor of Sejolly PLT, described the recognition as an acknowledgement of her efforts to develop the business.
Sejolly PLT has developed an application called ROOTIN to facilitate communication between parents and their autistic children, while allowing parents to monitor their children's development remotely.
Aishah said XCare had also provided a strong support network, opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs and guidance from experienced mentors.
"I hope more entrepreneurs will seize the opportunity to participate in initiatives like this to enhance their knowledge, strengthen their skills and grow their businesses," she said.
XCare is an initiative by the Selangor government in collaboration with Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) to help entrepreneurs in the care economy improve their competitiveness and expand their businesses.
The programme includes various activities, such as business pitching clinics, mentorship sessions, risk management workshops and industry site visits, aimed at strengthening participants' business models.
SICE 2026 is being held in conjunction with the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026, which runs from October 14 to 17 in Kuala Lumpur.
