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 Outdoor set out with a backpack full of ambition and a trail map drawn in digital ink. Today,...

Like many founders, entrepreneurship wasn’t in the plans for Selina – she always wanted to become a doctor, and the dream was to become an Intensive Care Unit specialist. Unfortunately that dream came to an end around 8 years ago after she experienced a slipped disc, but reportedly didn't have the support she needed to recover. She told the Vulcan Post that when she asked to be assigned lighter duties for three months as she healed, she was told she did not have a future in the...

Today on the show, we speak with Manickavasagam Palaniandy, Founder of Lean Partner–they’re a boutique consulting firm that specialises in Agile Operation Transformational Management, providing consultations in operational excellence, as well as training & certifications. Lean Partner was founded back in 2013 and they have executed more than 2800 projects delivering more than US$ 100 million of total value with a client portfolio of over 200 organisations. This includes the likes of...

Founded in 2014, Bateriku.com wants to list in 2027, hit revenue of RM170 million in 2024, and continue to expand its margins and profitability. On this episode of Open For Business, we speak to Founder and CEO Azarol Faizi about the 10 years journey and how his previous OEM business led to Bateriku.com, the evolution from car battery replacement service to an ecosystem, its plans for growth and how to expand margins, how the funds raised will be used, and its 2027 IPO aims. Bateriku.com...

Today on Open For Business, we speak with Keith Loh, CEO of Rollti, a local startup that runs a grab-and-go concept restaurant that offers a fresh take on Malaysia's beloved Roti Canai. Rollti prides itself on its innovative approach, featuring an automated roti canai pressing system, together with a customisable drinks station. Their journey began with the success of their first outlet at Starling Mall, Damansara, serving over 30,000 wraps to date. Last February, Rollti celebrated the...

Founded in 2006, Easybook.com started off as a platform that sold bus tickets in Malaysia and Singapore but has since grown operations regionally. Last year it made RM300 million in revenue and RM10 million in net profit, with aims to hit RM500 million in revenue and RM30 million in profit this year. The company has raised a total fund of USD$8.5 million over 3 rounds. The first was a $500,000 round, followed by a USD$3 million round. Then in 2021, the company raised US$ 5 million Series C...

In today's rapidly evolving job market, traditional methods of securing part-time work, such as word-of-mouth referrals or classified ads, are becoming increasingly outdated. Many individuals, particularly younger generations, face challenges in finding part-time opportunities that match their schedules, skills, and preferences. Through Get Hyred, employers can easily recruit individuals for various divisions within their companies, all within proximity. Additionally, the platform enables...

OpenAcademy is the education arm of marketing-tech consultancy OpenMinds, and is trying to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills through microlearning principles. The platform allows individuals to take 5-minute lessons in the hopes of upskilling learners on the go and covers a wide range of topics including digital marketing, website optimisation, content creation, and more. Similar to MasterClass or Skillshare, the lessons are delivered by industry experts, with...

Today on the show, we take a look at some of the innovative strides in sustainable waste management with Mah Jun Kit, Founder and CEO of BioLoop, a pioneering startup transforming Malaysia’s palm oil waste landscape. BioLoop utilises Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) to convert organic waste into valuable protein for aquaculture and animal feeds, significantly reducing ecological damage and greenhouse gas emissions. With over 8000 metric tons of waste processed, BioLoop not only enhances...

Founded in 2007, Web Bytes is a software development company that specialises in software solutions for the retail and food and beverage (F&B) industries, and is 38% owned by GD Express Carrier Bhd (GDeX). The company began as a small project attempting to reinvent retail software and yet today, it is a RM30 million business with customers such as F&B brands such as ZUS Coffee and Gigi Coffee, as well as retailers such as The Body Shop. With over 5,000 retail merchants across...

“Fashion retail is not a Silicon Valley story”. Jenn’s Wanderlust + Co journey began back in 2010 in her apartment in Melbourne, powered by a WordPress website, self-made graphic designs, and about RM10,000 in startup money. Today her Wanderlust + Co products are present in nearly 30 countries, making over 70% of its revenue from foreign markets, and has been worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Selena Gomez. On this episode of Open For Business, we dive into the 14 year...

While technological advancements and immersive multiplayer experiences make gaming a popular leisure activity, excessive screen time poses risks to children's mental health, including addiction, diminished focus, and social skill deficiencies. To address these concerns, Bomb Battle, a team-building escape room game company introduces Bomb Battle Elite, Malaysia's newest family entertainment attraction. Spanning over 6000 square feet, it offers four innovative games with 10 missions and 50...

Malaysian startup Finalyst wants to help financial planners, insurance agents, and unit trust consultants improve sales conversions and better manage their relationships with clients through their financial planning platform. With a focus on simplicity, Finalyst says that the platform supports industry players by providing personalised financial plans. That said, this isn’t the first or only product in the market to try and address this. So what makes them stand out from other solutions...

Today on the show, we’re diving into the realm of Extended Reality (XR) with Theyventhiran Nadarajah, CEO, & Jayagaren Paramasivam, CTO, Teczo Sdn Bhd . They are a technology company that provides cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications, mobile applications, metaverse development, digital twin solutions, advanced visualisation techniques, and analytics tools. Founded back in 2021, Teczo has swiftly emerged as a pivotal player in the digital...

Shopmatic is a global e-commerce platform that empowers merchants to build and grow their businesses online. The company was acquired by global embedded finance firm MatchMove in 2022 in a deal worth $200 million US Dollars, enabling MatchMove to provide its Banking-as-a-Service capabilities to Shopmatic’s ecosystem of over a million e-commerce SME customers. 2 years after the deal, we speak to Nicole about her switch in role from Chief of People at MatchMove to Shopmatic’s COO, why...

On this episode of Open For Business, we dive into an increasingly crucial topic within the bustling construction sector of Malaysia— safety on the job site. In an industry that is as dynamic as it is hazardous, innovative solutions are not just welcome; they're necessary. We are joined by Frank Tan, the Co-Founder of Nuri IoT, a company at the forefront of this safety revolution with their groundbreaking smart helmet. This piece of technology is not just a hard hat, it's a sophisticated...

Founded in 2022, this Malaysian startup wants to help brands connect with their audience by transforming everyday vehicles into mobile billboards, while empowering car owners to earn while they drive, effectively turning KM into RM. Having made RM800,000 in revenue in 2023, Carching is targeting RM3 million this year, while looking to raise a seed funding round of RM 2 million to power that growth, but also build out the team, and develop new products. Today we explore Carching’s origins...

In today’s fast-paced world, the dark shadow of fake certifications looms large, threatening not just the credibility of individuals but also the very foundations of our educational and professional institutions, as well as industrial certifications. To combat and address this, Malaysian startup Certiify Solutions is on a mission to safeguard the sanctity of certifications through the power of blockchain technology. We dive into how Certiify uses blockchain to power its solution and the...

We speak with Fadz Subari about how childhood memories led him to establish a homegrown aromacare brand celebrated for its artisanal scents, crafted from Malaysian herbs and plants. We will also look into their initiatives to expand globally while championing Malaysian ingredients and sustainable practices, hear about their innovative AI-driven approach to creating personalised scents, and discuss their upcoming plans for the “Scents For Every Soul” app. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

After leaving a lucrative career selling insurance policies, Peter took a leap into the world of new media in late 2018 and started Mr. Money TV. The mission: to demystify the complex world of finance for the average Malaysian through accessible and engaging content. However this move was not without its risks. From the early days of balancing multiple jobs to keep the venture alive to their 177,000 subscribers on the main YouTube, on this edition of Open For Business we explore the...

In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Isaac Kon, the CEO and Founder, as well as Wong Weng Khing, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Co-founder of Heytech Sdn Bhd. They are a Malaysian-based talent and casting business founded in 2022, who came up with a casting/hiring platform known as Heycast.me. Built in the early days of 2023, Heycast was designed to digitally connect talents with brands and agencies in the entertainment industry. The brand’s focus is to eliminate excessive...

Founded back in November 2023, VIDANEX is the first spin-off company of IMU (also formerly known as International Medical University), with a mission to help digitalise the healthcare space and integrate AI with medical imaging solutions. From pancreatic to breast cancer and more, this homegrown university spinoff says that its AI-driven insights will empower clinicians to make informed decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ushering in a new era of precision in medicine and...

Today on Open For Business, we speak with Keith Lester Tang, the Founder of Streetpaw, a Malaysian based company that sells pet meals, bone broths and merchandise to earn a sustainable income in their journey to support stray animals. Over the course of the conversation, Keith will help us get a better picture on Streetpaw’s unique business model, the challenges they had to pull through from the pandemic, foreseeable expansion plans into other SEA markets, and what the future has in store...

Ex-Zalora CEO, Michele Ferrario did not want to become an entrepreneur but had a need that nobody could provide for here in the region. Despite 124 pre-launch rejections from early-stage investors, he went about trying to build it himself and Stashaway was then born. Commonly known as robo-advisors, digital wealth managers or digital investment managers as they are known here in Malaysia, were an exciting development in the financial industry with pioneers such as Wealthfront and Betterment...

Natureloop is a KL-based company that specialises in designing and manufacturing products made from plastic waste. Instead of being discarded, Natureloop transforms plastic waste into new products such as coasters, customisable plant pots, as well as medals and trophies. Today on Open For Business, we speak with Brandon Chong Chee Wing, the Founder of Natureloop to breakdown their mission of turning plastic waste into a sustainable resource and signifying the company’s dedication to its...