Open For Business

Founded in 2013, Global TechSolutions (GTS) began as a local start-up offering customised equipment solutions for semiconductor manufacturers. Over the past decade, they have grown into a regional player with operations across Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the U.S. We speak with Kenneth Lee, CEO of GTS, about the company’s growth journey, the strategies that facilitated its regional expansion,...

Let’s go on an adventure… and a journey, with Jacinta Lim, Co-Founder of Seek Sophie, the travel platform curating hidden-gem experiences across Asia that are meaningful, sustainable, and deeply personal. From jungle treks and dive trips to creative workshops and cultural encounters, Seek Sophie moves beyond cookie-cutter tours and tourist traps. By connecting travellers with independent guides an...

What started 14 years ago as a temporary home baking project has grown into Xiao by Crustz, a 7-figure patisserie. For founder Xiao-Ly Koh, the journey has been a constant balancing act between her identity as a chef and the demands of being an entrepreneur. Chef and Founder Xiao-Ly Koh joins us to share her story. She discusses her mission to introduce modern French pastry to Malaysians, the stra...

From fashion editor to gelato entrepreneur, Miranda Yeoh has built Paolo Paolo Gelato (PPG) into a premium artisanal brand that’s crossed the seven-figure mark, hit profitability within its first year, and attracted collaborations with global names like Nespresso. With three stores open and a fourth on the way, PPG is now navigating the tricky “in-between” stage — growing beyond a single outlet wi...

Backed by 500 Global, AI startup Awatar Innovations is on a mission to build the next generation of agentic chatbots. But what does it really take to build a deep tech company in Malaysia's burgeoning but challenging AI landscape? The co-founding trio. Premesh Chandran, Eshwaren M, and Razlan Rizal, join us to share their story. They discuss their unique team dynamic, their strategy of using free...

XION is a Web3 “invisible” trust protocol designed to remove the barriers that keep everyday users from adopting blockchain. Founded by Anthony “Burnt Banksy” Anzalone, the platform aims to eliminate the need for wallets, seed phrases, and gas fees for people and SMEs to transact and verify value as easily as sending an email. With features like USDC gas, Apple ID logins, and seamless proof integr...

Launched in 2024, Webull Malaysia is a licensed digital broker regulated by the Securities Commission, offering access to Bursa Securities, Bursa Derivatives, and U.S. markets through its app. With low fees, real-time data, and a user-friendly interface, the platform aims to make investing more transparent and accessible to Malaysians. Kenneth Chan, CEO of Webull Malaysia shares the story on how t...

Self-storage is no longer just for de-cluttering your home. For Singapore-based Work+Store, it has become a flexible operational hub for SMEs and e-commerce retailers, offering everything from packing stations and last-mile support to specialised wine storage. CEO Danny Wong joins us to share their journey of building a modern self-storage business. He discusses their "co-warehousing" model that p...

What began as a single attraction built around paint bombs has since exploded into one of Malaysia’s most dynamic entertainment experiences. Bomb Battle, licensed by Mission Group, has evolved from an interactive escape room concept into a full-fledged multi-entertainment hub, drawing in families, young adults, and corporate groups with experiences designed to last beyond novelty. We welcome back...

Jens Bohnwagner, CEO at XSQUARE Technologies, leads a Singapore-based startup that simplifies warehouse operations with in-house automation software solutions. Founded in 2019 with backing from the Goldbell Group, a mobility and industrial solutions provider, XSQUARE set out to deliver practical value in real-world warehouses. Since then, the company has worked with global leaders such as Coca-Col...

Since 2019, P2P financing platform microLEAP has dispersed over RM420 million while maintaining a claimed industry-low default rate of 0.36%. We dive into how this ex-banker built this profitable fintech by focusing on risk first and revenue second. Founder and CEO Tunku Danny joins us to share his journey from a stable banking career to starting microLEAP with one year of savings. He discusses th...

When you think of Malaysia’s favourite herbal drinks like mata kucing , lin chee kang , or sea coconut longan, chances are you picture them at a pasar malam or in a traditional kopitiam . But a new brand is giving these classics a fresh stage. Lin Chee King is bringing heritage recipes into a modern kiosk format, with bold branding and a vision to make them a staple for today’s on-the-go consumers...

Eighteen months after our last chat, Colony's CEO Timothy Tiah is back with a story of wins, setbacks, and strategic pivots. From navigating new SST and electricity tariff hikes to making the tough call to close a RM5 million venue, what does it take to lead a premium co-working brand in today's challenging market? Timothy joins us to share an update on his journey, discussing the acquisition of c...

What started as a RM1,500 side hustle during the pandemic has exploded into Hygr, an eight-figure beauty and personal care brand. After a viral TikTok video catapulted them into the spotlight, how did two former lawyers turn their DIY project into a full-fledged business with its own GMP-certified factory? Co-founders Ivor Lim and Chew Hoi Meng join us to share their incredible bootstrapping journ...

With an alarming 80% math failure rate plaguing some schools, Malaysia faces a critical educational challenge. EdTech startup Tupai is on a mission to solve this, not just with an AI-powered tutor, but with a unique peer-to-peer learning community that is already delivering results. Co-founders Edmond Yap and Andre Sequerah join us to share their journey from beta to a commercial launch that has s...

From a simple app for errands in 2014, GoGet has evolved into a digital staffing powerhouse with nearly 400,000 verified workers and an eight-figure annual revenue. As a pioneer in Malaysia's gig economy, what is the story behind their 11-year journey? Co-Founder and CEO Franchesca Chia joins us to share her experience. She discusses their evolution from a consumer-focused app to a primarily B2B p...

From a single outlet in 2003, The Olive Tree Group has grown into a hospitality empire with 30 restaurants and bars across seven states and two countries. At the helm is Founder and Managing Director Leslie Gomez, whose vision has been to serve not just food, but experiences that bring people together. In this conversation, Leslie reflects on the capital and grit needed to expand, the realities of...

Having built a successful gig platform for e-commerce and retail, Qwork is now taking on a bigger challenge: solving the talent mismatch in Malaysia's heavy industries. They're launching the Qwork Manpower Hub (QMH), a new subsidiary focused on building a skilled local talent pipeline for "3D" jobs. Co-founder and Chief Strategy & Financial Officer Dr. Mimi Aminah joins us to unpack this evolu...

For almost 30 years, the smell of a freshly baked Rotiboy bun has been an iconic part of the Malaysian food experience, but behind this is a story of near-failure, resilience, and a "last stand" that involved selling a family car to survive. Founder Hiro Tan joins us to share his incredible journey. From making pau as a child and struggling with RM60-a-day sales in his first Klang Valley outlet, t...

A shareholder clash sparked a 7-figure Superapp pivot? What started in 2016 as a niche proptech company has evolved into FusionQB, a mid-7-figure business that builds customer data platforms and super apps for over 60 enterprise clients. Now managing over a million customer profiles, what's the story behind their successful pivot? Co-founders Alvin Chooi and Stephen Lim join us to share their jour...

What started as a single food truck to help one person in need has evolved into Pepper Labs, an eight-figure social enterprise that has impacted over 400,000 lives. But how do you scale social impact while remaining a commercially viable, profitable business? Managing Director Thanaselan Rajendran joins us to share their incredible 10-year journey. He discusses the critical difference between a so...

Fresh off its rebrand, Razorpay Curlec is navigating a critical new phase: the post-founder, post-acquisition era. With a new CEO at the helm, the fast-growing payment gateway is now tasked with leveraging its parent company's global scale to win in Malaysia's hyper-competitive fintech market. New Country Head and CEO Kevin Lee joins us to discuss his mandate for this new chapter. He shares insigh...

From breakfast tables in Germany to boardrooms across Asia, Sebastian Krack’s journey with Hyatt Hotels has been one of passion, innovation, and leadership. Now stepping in as General Manager of Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, he shares how bold ideas like Le Petit Chef are reshaping dining, why hotels must go beyond room nights to deliver true experiences, and his vision for making Hyatt...

What started as a passion project in 2022 has since grown into By The Billions (BTB), a platform that blends automotive storytelling, 4x4 expeditions, and lifestyle festivals that bring together adventurers, car enthusiasts, and brands. Ned Nazlan, Founder of By The Billions, reflects on evolving a community into a business, the challenges of scaling, and why Malaysia’s appetite for outdoor advent...

For many service-based SMEs in the health and wellness space, managing operations is a chaotic mix of spreadsheets, WhatsApp messages, and manual payment tracking. Singapore-based startup Vibefam is on a mission to fix this with its AI-powered "growth operating system." Co-founder and CEO Serene Lim joins us to share their journey of building a platform that automates operations, boosts revenue, a...