Open For Business

How does one padel club with big dreams justify a RM91 million valuation? Founded in Stockholm and now trying to make waves in Southeast Asia, ASCARO claims it’s not your average padel club. Launched in Malaysia in 2023, the company became profitable in its first year at 1 Utama and now has bold expansion plans. In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Managing Director Daniel Liljekvis...

In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Koh Cha-Ly, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at UrbanMetry, a data analytics company in Malaysia that provides AI-powered solutions to help cities and governments analyse large amounts of city data through their proprietary algorithms. Also with us is Chloe Yiin, Product Growth Manager of Urbanwave or Urban NX, a home co-ownership program run...

Founded in 2015, Pott Glasses has grown from bazaars to 8 retail outlets, all without external funding. The company broke past 8-figures in revenue 2-3 years back, and is now eyeing RM100 million as its next major target in the next few years. Pott Glasses is a homegrown boutique eyewear brand attempting to redefine the consumer experience through its signature 4D Optical Styling, which considers...

CashOut, a digital contest management platform that uses gamification to drive sales and customer engagement is aiming to change how businesses and marketers create marketing campaigns. In this episode, we speak with the co-founders, Jess and Brahma, why they started this platform as well as how they aim to grow and scale this business after the official launch next month. We’ll also talk about ho...

Exiting a startup in Southeast Asia isn’t easy. IPOs are rare, valuations are tricky, and local buyers often fall short. So how do VCs and founders maximise their exits? We dive into this with Kairous Capital, a venture capital and private equity firm managing $200 million AUM, with a cross-border focus between Southeast Asia and China. Managing Partner Joseph Lee and Partner Adrian Hia share how...

A school reunion eventually led to an AI-powered edtech that raised RM16 million, and is now an 8-figure business with over 1 million users and on track for profitability in 2025. Pandai wants to reshape education in Malaysia and beyond with its AI-powered learning platform. Founded in 2020, the edtech startup has scaled to over 1 million users, providing personalised learning, gamified assessment...

Securing financing can be a major hurdle for SMEs, especially those without traditional collateral. Enter Bee Informatica, a digital microfinance platform blending AI-driven credit assessments with microloan principles to provide quick, unsecured loans to underserved businesses in Malaysia. Fumiko Inada, Co-Founder and CEO of Bee Informatica, joins us to share how the company is reshaping SME fina...

Radius Khor, Co-Founder & Director of Kee Nguyễn, a Malaysian startup that’s bringing Vietnamese-style coffee to the local market. Founded in 2019 alongside his co-founder Henry, Kee Nguyễn has quickly become a go-to brand for working professionals in business districts, offering a taste of Vietnam in every cup. In this insightful conversation, Radius shares the story behind the creation of Ke...

With a $10 million Series A in the bag and backing from Gobi Partners, 500 Global, Headline, and Endeavor Catalyst, what’s next for iMotorbike? Since launching in 2016, iMotorbike has evolved from a classifieds site into a full-fledged e-commerce platform for buying and selling pre-owned motorcycles. In this episode of Open For Business, co-founders Gil Carmo (CEO) and Sharmeen Looi (CMO) share ho...

Founded in 2012, Swift Bridge Technologies is a Malaysian company that makes high-tech cables used in telecommunications, semiconductors, medical devices, and even space tech. These aren’t just ordinary cables, they’re high-frequency RF (radio frequency) cables that enable ultra-fast and reliable connections, especially in industries like 5G, aerospace, and advanced testing equipment. The company...

Sasha Tan, Founder and Principal Brand Strategist of The Brand Shaper, a local enterprise that provides PR & Marketing Solutions, joins us to discuss her journey from an entrepreneur to a brand strategist and unpack key lessons she’s learned along the way. From the importance of understanding your audience to the role of authenticity in brand communication, we discuss how Brand Shaper aims to...

Founded in 2015, A&D Nature has blossomed into a profitable one-stop centre for plant enthusiasts, generating RM1.16 million in revenue and RM117,213 in net profit in the first eight months of 2024. In this episode, A&D Nature’s Founder and Managing Director, Dayvenn Khaw, and Co-Founder and Operations Director, Yek Sheen Chee, share how they grew the business from a single kiosk to a 7-fi...

Eco-friendly products are sprouting across Malaysia, but are they truly sustainable? And are Malaysians willing to pay or go out of their way to purchase them? We explore these questions with Tan Yet Mee, the Founder of ecoMinim, a homegrown brand offering plant-based, biodegradable home and personal care products. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build a sustainable business, the chal...

In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Azizul Othman and Al Khan Abdul Gani, Co-Founders of Lekir Tech, the AI startup behind the Assistnify AI Agent and platform. Founded in 2019, Lekir Tech has built a bootstrapped business offering AI-driven workflow automation, SaaS solutions, and business intelligence tools to government agencies, enterprises, and SMEs. With over 80% year-on-year...

This 2-year old TikTok media company is on track to make RM40 million in revenue in 2025. In this episode of Open For Business, BFM sits down with Yubin Ng and Joel Lim, Co-Founders of MantaYaY, a pioneering media company that has harnessed the power of TikTok to build a thriving business. Founded in 2023, MantaYaY started as a TikTok agency in Malaysia and has rapidly expanded its offerings to in...

In this episode, we explore the booming sport of pickleball, a fast-growing activity that's taking Malaysia — and the world — by storm. Join us as we sit down with Janet Teo, the founder of Picklefox, a local business specialising in pickleball equipment and accessories. From high-quality pickleball paddles, grips, and eyewear, to being an official distributor of top brands like Ronbus, Proton, an...

Since 2014, Australia-based Valta Technology Group has been automating finance and procurement processes through a blend of technology and consulting, with operations in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Jussi Karjalainen, Founder and CEO, shares Valta’s journey to AUD $5 million in annual revenue, its unique market positioning, and how the company aims to leverage e-invoicing m...

In this episode, we sit down with Tejvinder Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Great Pyramid, a leading HR solutions provider in Malaysia. Founded in 2015, Great Pyramid offers a comprehensive range of services, from immigration solutions and talent acquisition to workforce management and HR consultancy. Today, they serve over 450 clients globally, including major brands like Qatar Airways, ByteDance, a...

From a side hustle to a nearly seven-figure tech business, Daren Tan, Founder and CEO of ALPHV, shares his journey from freelancing in 2017 to leading a fast-growing company. ALPHV, incorporated in 2023, now operates across four key pillars: software development (Alpha Tech), corporate training (Alpha Academy), developer relations (Developer Kaki), and tech job placement (Alpha Recruit). Daren’s e...

As ASEAN’s digital demand surges, so does the need for telecom infrastructure to keep us connected. On Open For Business, we speak with Suresh Sidhu, CEO & Founder of EdgePoint Infrastructure, about how the company has built over 15,600 towers across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and its plans to surpass 20,000 towers in the coming years. A telecom industry veteran, Suresh previous...

In this episode, we speak with Royston G. King, the founder of Master Scaling, a company focused on helping businesses rapidly grow through digital marketing and strategic scaling techniques. He’s an investor, a multiple best-selling author, and has been recognized on platforms like Forbes for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship. We'll be discussing his journey into entrep...

Is pet influencer marketing really a thing? In this episode of Open For Business, we chat with June Kweh, Founder of Hey Pawfriends!, a platform that connects pet brands with pet influencers (yes, that’s a thing!). The idea came about after brands started approaching her to promote pet products on her dog’s Instagram account with Hey Pawfriends! launched in mid-2024. Leveraging her background in e...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tan Ding Jie, Co-Founder at Prefer, a Singapore-based coffee startup that’s transforming the industry with their innovative “bean-free” coffee. Founded in 2022, Prefer manufactures sustainable and affordable ground coffee compatible with standard espresso machines, catering to businesses such as cafes, coffee chains, distributors, and flavor houses. In February 202...

Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) arm of Capital A, aims to redefine aviation maintenance in Southeast Asia. In this episode of Open For Business, CEO Mahesh Kumar details ADE’s evolution from AirAsia’s in-house engineering team to a full-fledged third-party MRO provider. With a state-of-the-art 14-line hangar at KLIA and expansion into markets including I...

How can brands better connect with digital creators (at scale) to elevate their storytelling? Enter Cult Creative, a Malaysian creator-first platform that connects brands with a dynamic network of content creators. Founded in 2020 by Shermaine Wong, Cult Creative began as a simple matchmaking tool and has evolved into an ecosystem that streamlines brand collaborations and empowers creators with ca...