From exposure to action: experiential learning and entrepreneurial mindset development among industry webinar asnaf entrepreneur

This study examines how experiential learning contributes to entrepreneurial mindset formation among asnaf participants in an industry webinar to address a gap in prior research that has predominantly emphasised financial assistance over cognitive and learning processes. A qualitative approach was employed by involving 12 asnaf participants who attended an industry webinar session. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and interpreted through Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory. The findings revealed six key themes of practical entrepreneurial knowledge, reflective learning, mindset development, action orientation, social learning and personal transformation. These themes collectively corresponded to four stages of Kolb’s learning cycle that demonstrate how experiential exposure facilitates cognitive restructuring and behavioural intention. Entrepreneurship programmes for asnaf participants should incorporate structured experiential learning, mentoring and reflection to enhance effectiveness beyond financial support mechanisms alone. This study contributes to the literature by shifting the focus from resource-based explanations to learning-based mechanisms by offering a theoretically grounded understanding of how entrepreneurial capacity is developed among marginalised groups.