Open For Business

Founded in 2023, Seedflex raised seed funding from 500 Global in Q4 last year to launch its shariah-compliant digital financing solution “Pay-As-You-Sell Advance” (PAYS Advance) across Southeast Asia, starting first in Malaysia as announced in April. Seedflex said that their PAYS Advance solution offers a frictionless line of credit for cashless merchants that can automatically adjust based on fut...

We speak with Jeremy Dev, Founder at Far Post Academy, a Malaysian based startup that offers futsal lessons for kids aged 4 years and above. They offer training programs that are designed to hone technical and tactical skills through professional drills, strategic planning, and real-world exposure through representing the academy at games and tournaments. Since the pandemic, the academy has enroll...

We speak with Ann Sze Pang and Tan Jin Xue, Co-Founders of Neo Livin, a tech-driven DTC furniture platform changing the way people shop for furniture. Neo Livin offers high-quality, affordable products through a unique community showroom model, integrating technology and sustainability.  With over 1,000 homes served and multiple awards, Neo Livin has transformed from a small startup to a lead...

"If you can build your company without raising money, do it because then you're in control. There's this idea that you're really cool if you've got some venture money. And I want to say the coolest is if you own the whole thing yourself." Robin Chase, Co-Founder of Zipcar, GoLoco, Buzzcar, Veniam, and NUMO. In this episode of "Open for Business," we speak to serial entrepreneur and transportation...

“My mum said to me, stop playing with cars or turn it into a business. So I turned it into a business.” Established in 2004, Automotive Synergy started life as Malaysia’s distributor of satellite navigation systems with Garmin, as satnav became more popular, Automotive Synergy’s business expanded, developing key connections with car manufacturers such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and BMW, as well as oil...

We speak with Ivan Lee, Co-Founder of The Tapping Tapir, a Malaysian beverage company known for its unique range of artisanal sodas made from natural ingredients. The Tapping Tapir began its journey at local artisanal markets in Kuala Lumpur and has grown significantly since its inception. Ivan shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of scaling a homegrown business in the post-pandemic...

Solaroo is a wholly owned subsidiary under Pekat Group Bhd that deals in smaller scale solar photovoltaic systems for residential, commercial and industrial projects. For the most part, Solaroo looks to be Pekat’s residential solar PV system specialist that complements the group’s other subsidiaries. Established in 1999, Pekat Group pivoted over to Photovoltaic (PV) Renewable Energy Technology in...

We speak with the founders of CONTEN.T, an award-winning BrandTech company specialising in creating advanced digital experiences using first-party data. With collaborations with top brands like COACH, Calvin Klein, Adidas, and Gucci, CONTEN.T has delivered over 200 innovative digital experiences, including AR/VR, gamification, and AI-driven projects. Our discussion will cover their growth since th...

From selling 20 shirts at a free night bazaar to hitting 8-figures in revenue in 2022 with aims to hit RM50 million in 3 years time, on this edition of Open for Business, we explore the rise of Kapten Batik with Co-Founders Farhan Omar and Ekram Faiz. Pulling all their savings together, these engineering students-turned-batik fashion entrepreneurs started this venture in 2017 with RM40,000 in capi...

Orangeleaf Consultancy, founded by Ellice and Tim Hendricks, is changing Malaysia’s tech industry with their low-code platform expertise. Starting as a two-person team, they have grown to a 30-strong team, focusing on developing local talent and driving digital transformation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2018, Store N Go provides warehousing services and tailored product handling, storage, packaging materials, kitting services, and distribution solutions. The company is also the first in Malaysia to integrate influencer marketing solutions with warehousing and fulfilment services. Currently, Store N Go’s influencer marketing solutions span a growing in-house team of 24 influencers on Ti...

We’re joined by Toh Kean Wee, the Founder and Managing Director of TPE, one of the largest whiteboard and writing instrument manufacturers in Malaysia. Starting from humble beginnings in a 1,000 Sq. Ft. cottage in 2008, TPE has grown into a modern 50,000 Sq. Ft. manufacturing facility, meeting high export market demands. Mr. Toh has navigated the competitive whiteboard manufacturing industry, esta...

On this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Lakshita Wijerathne, CEO at Eutech Cybernetic, a Smart Technology solutions provider that owns Iviva, a full-fledged smart property management platform that enables efficient management of spaces, buildings and cities. With over 20 years of experience and headquartered in Singapore, Eutech works with a global network of partners in 15 countries,...

“To our surprise, we realised probably 6 or 7 out of 10 customers that walked in didn't really know us, (before that,) we thought we were famous. That was a huge awakening call”. Founded in 2013 by Nicole Wong and Stan Chui, Sometime has evolved from an online-only business to a brand with multiple physical outlets and collaborations with designers across Asia. In this episode of Open for Business...

In recent years, Malaysia has been faced with a rising student dropout rate, with over 14,506 students leaving school prematurely in 2023 alone. That’s according to the National Social Council. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for innovative ways or solutions to keep students engaged and invested in their education. With this in mind, MyFuturity Global aims to step in with an applica...

Founded in 2022, Patriot Biotech describes itself as a group of scientists, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs who want to bring molecular-based biotechnology to the masses in Malaysia and the world, while nurturing and building local talent and technology. Today on Open For Business, we explore the ambitions of this startup, their focus on genomics and its applications to aquaculture and val...

“If there is a time to start a business, it is now, while we’re young.” A lunch between co-workers in their mid-20s in 2014 turned into a startup that has raised RM46 million, is now close to profitability, and wants to generate RM80-90 million in revenue in 2024 powered by its growth in Indonesia. In 2014, 5 months after an initial discussion over lunch in 2014, Goh Chee Hau and Nadhir Ashafiq st...

In this episode of Open For Business, we venture into the advanced field of technology, focusing on engineering, manufacturing and product development with Projet Technology — a company founded out of a passion for tackling the complex challenges within its industry. From reducing lead times and managing resource constraints to facilitating high mix low volume orders, Projet Technology is on a pat...

In this episode, we speak with Dhawal Shah, Regional Managing Director and Co-founder of 2Stallions, a boutique digital marketing agency with headquarters in Singapore and teams across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and India. Started with his schoolmate-turned-university friend Razy back in 2012, 2Stallions has spent over the last decade providing small businesses with digital marketing services...

We explore IWG Malaysia's ambitious expansion as they gear up to launch four new workspaces in the country. Two of these new centres will be situated in the Klang Valley, while the other two will find their home in Johor Bahru, catering to the growing community of hybrid workers. These new locations, representing Regus and HQ, will enhance IWG Malaysia's portfolio, providing a diverse range of wor...

“And I took that personally”. That was how the eccentric founder of Tokpork, Phon Yung Hou, felt when he was making RM300 a day in sales which paled in comparison to the others around him at Restoran Yum Me Place. There may have been a tease or two from the business owners around him that Tokpork was more hobby than business. Phon wasn’t always in the business of selling Nasi Lemak, but with the s...

Connecting SMEs to investors, Capsphere claims that it sets itself apart from other similar players because each loan is asset-backed, or secured by an asset. Founded in 2016, the company targets businesses that have been in operations for over 1 year, with assets that can be used to secure the loan such as industrial equipment or even contracts. Last financial year the firm generated RM355,000 in...

Transitioning from corporate careers in the United States of America to building a transformative business here in Malaysia, Carmen Khor and Jeremy Andrus exemplify resilience and unwavering commitment through their journey as the founders of Libra Wellness. They have created a beauty and wellness brand that champions mental well-being while curating sustainable and high-quality products with the...

KL Tech City is a venture studio that predominantly focuses on providing early stage capital for emerging technologies like Blockchain, Fintech, EV, Cleantech, and Digital trading platforms. Apart from just providing startups with capital, they also offer supporting services including networking, strategic partnerships, and mentorship, and claim that since they invest proprietary capital, they are...

Back in 2016, the e-commerce scene was just beginning to harness the full potential of online and mobile commerce, and social media marketing. Online shopping was popular but still competing with brick-and-mortar preferences in many markets, unlike the widespread adoption that we see right now. PTT Outdoor boldly ventured where few dared. Embracing the World Wide Web as its sole marketplace, PTT O...