Raudhah Nazran, a dynamic social entrepreneur from Malaysia, has quickly risen to prominence as a powerful force for youth empowerment and business innovation. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, she grew up in a family that valued education, integrity, and the importance of giving back to the community. Her formative years were shaped by a deep awareness of social inequality and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This passion found its direction when she received a scholarship from the Malaysian Public Service Department to study law at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.
While in the UK, Raudhah was introduced to the concept of social entrepreneurship, a turning point that transformed her understanding of leadership and impact. She immersed herself in the field, eventually serving as the President and Team Leader of a UK-based Enactus team, an organization known for nurturing young leaders to solve real-world problems through social enterprises. Under her guidance, the team grew to over 100 members and successfully ran five active social businesses. Her leadership led the group to national recognition, placing among the top three Enactus teams in the United Kingdom.
Upon returning to Malaysia in 2019, Raudhah took a bold step by founding Accelerate Global, a youth-led social enterprise focused on tackling youth unemployment. Her goal was clear: to empower underserved and marginalized youth with the skills, tools, and mindset they need to become financially independent. Through programs such as entrepreneurship boot camps, digital upskilling courses, and career readiness training, Accelerate Global has since reached over 7,000 youths across Malaysia and other countries. Many of these individuals have gone on to secure jobs or start their own businesses, a testament to the real-world impact of Raudhah’s vision.
Despite her rapid success, Raudhah’s journey was not without its challenges. In the early days of Accelerate Global, she faced skepticism from those who doubted a young woman could lead a scalable social enterprise. Funding constraints, operational hurdles, and the COVID-19 pandemic tested her resolve, especially as face-to-face engagement became nearly impossible. Yet, she remained undeterred. She quickly pivoted her programs online, expanded Accelerate Global’s digital reach, and continued to build momentum during a time of global uncertainty.
Raudhah’s impact has been widely recognized. In 2022, she was named to Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 Asia list in the Social Impact category, acknowledging her role in transforming the youth empowerment landscape. She was also named a Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow by Tatler Asia and shortlisted for the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Awards. These accolades reflect not just her achievements, but her unwavering commitment to systemic change.
Today, Raudhah Nazran stands as a symbol of what young leaders can accomplish when driven by purpose, innovation, and resilience. Her story continues to inspire a new generation of changemakers, proving that business can be a powerful tool for social transformation, and that age, background, or gender need not define one’s ability to make a difference.