Malaysia's Premier Startup Entrepreneur Event

Entrepreneurs Summit IV

Kuala Lumpur

17 OCTOBER 2023 9-5PM
NETWORKING PARTY 5PM ONWARDS
Auditorium, Level 26
Menara AFFIN @ TRX

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Agenda

days

hours

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Organiser

Co-organiser

Tech Ecosystem
Partner

Venue Partner

Platinum Partner

Partners

Supporting Partners

Learn From True Stories By Leading Entrepreneurs & Leaders

Ben Lim

Founder & CEO, NEXEA

Ben Lim founded NEXEA in 2015, and today it invests & supports Startups with over RM1 billion in revenues in total. NEXEA connects Startups with 50+ Angel Investors, 20+ Corporate Partners, and all relevant Government agencies.

YB Rafizi Ramli

Minister of Economy, Malaysia

YB Tuan Mohd Rafizi bin Ramli is the Minister of Economy effective 3rd December 2022, overseeing the nation's medium and long-term socioeconomic development planning. He is currently the Deputy President of the People's Justice Party (PKR) and Member of Parliament for Pandan.

Bryan Loo

Founder & CEO, Loob Holding
(Tealive & Bask Bear Coffee)

Bryan Loo, the award-winning entrepreneur best known for making Tealive the top lifestyle tea brand in South-east Asia, wants to bring joy to people’s lives through tea, modernise tea-drinking culture and make it the “New Coffee”. Envisioning Tealive as a brand that’s “Born in Malaysia, Raised for The World”, Bryan quickly scaled up to about 900 outlets serving 5.5 million consumers each month in 10 countries – Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, United Kingdom, Canada, Cambodia, Australia, Brunei and Mauritius.

Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor

Founder, TheNoor

Neelofa has made a name for herself in showbiz and is a sought-after figure in fashion and beauty who has collaborated with some of the world's most recognisable companies. She is also a successful businesswoman, heading the Naelofar hijab firm. She also established Nilofa, an eco-friendly fruit milk firm, and TheNoor, an Islamic content mobile app, lighting up the life of every muslim and an app that's handy and accessible at any point of time.

Nizam Mohamed Nadzri

CEO, MDV

Nizam Mohamed Nadzri is a recognised leader in Malaysia's tech and finance sectors, currently serving as the CEO of MDV. Under his leadership, MDV has made significant strides as the nation’s tech financier by expanding its financial services and bolstering partnerships to foster technological innovation in Malaysia. With more than 30 years of experience, Nizam has held various leadership positions including as a VP of transactions at Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Berhad, Securities Commission's MESDAQ Unit, and the MESDAQ Department at Bursa Malaysia.

Boon Kim San

Head of Digital Business and Innovation, Group Enterprise Banking, Affin Bank Berhad

Boon Kim San, a seasoned professional with a track record of over 10 years in the OTT, has left his mark on platforms like tonton.my and dimsum.my. In an intriguing shift, Boon Kim San moved from the world of entertainment to embrace the challenges of the banking sector. Now, he's set to lead the Digital Business and Innovation team at Affin Bank, orchestrating a fusion of innovation and financial services. At the heart of his role, Boon Kim San is crafting a digital transformation strategy that breathes new life into Affin Bank. His vision centers on harnessing technology to enhance customer journeys and redefine banking norms.

Fabian Bigar

CEO, MyDIGITAL Corporation

Mr. Fabian Bigar took on the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Strategic Change Management Office (SCMO) on April 19th, 2021. Prior to this role, Mr Fabian Bigar has had a notable positions at Ministry of Health, Prime Minister’s Department, and PEMANDU. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA and a Masters in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Fabian Bigar brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to his current leadership role.

CLICK TO OPEN THE Entrepreneurs Summit Agenda

Time

What's Happening

Speakers

9.00am

Morning Networking Over Coffee

9.30am

Welcoming Speech

Datuk Wan Razly, CEO of Affin Bank

9.40am

Opening Remarks

Ben Lim, Founder & CEO of NEXEA

10.00am

Minister Rafizi : Elaboration of Budget 2024 Startup Goodies

YB Rafizi Ramli

10.30am

Crazy Risks & Crazier Entrepreneurs

Keynote Speech:
Bryan Loo, Founder & CEO of Loob Holding
(Tealive & Bask Bear Coffee)

11.00am

Expand & Conquer - Entrepreneurs Going International

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Raja Jesrina Raja Arshad, Founder & CEO of PurelyB
Izmir, CEO of Crewstone
Gopi, Senior Vice President of MDEC
Johary, Founder & CEO of Forest Interactive

11.30am

Networking Break

12.00pm

The Unicorn Sickness:
Rethinking What Counts as Successful Entrepreneurship

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Alan Lim, President of MBAN
Nizam Mohamed Nadzri, CEO of MDV
Jamaludin Bujang, Managing Partner (Malaysia), Gobi Partners
Shi Ying Lau, Founder & Managing Partner of Adaptive Capital Partners

12.30pm

Topic:
To Be Determined (TBD)

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Karamjit Singh, Founder & CEO of DNA

1.00pm

Lunch & Networking

2.00pm

Open Dialogue with Audience: Future of Malaysian Startup Ecosystem

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Adlin Yusman, Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia
Cyberview (Speaker TBC)
Cradle (Speaker TBC)
Wan Mohd. Farhan, Head of DroneTech at MRANTI

2.30pm

Beauty and The Hacker - The Neelofa Story

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Datuk Fadzli Shah, CEO of MX Global
Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, Founder of TheNoor
Mohd Izzairi Yamin, Co-Founder & CEO of TheNoor

3.00pm

Facing the Valley of Death:
The 10% of Startups That Made It Through Their First Year

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Bryan Fernandez, Chief Customer Success Officer of Biz Tech Asia
Andrew Chee, Founder & CEO of Runningman
Shermaine Wong, CEO of Cult Creative

3.30pm

Pandemic Startup Babies - Where Are They Today?

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Lum Ka Kay, Former Tech Journalist
Thinesh Kumar Kamalagaran, CEO of Mindappz
Moses Lenjau Vinsien, Founder and Managing Director of EB Tech

4.00pm

Tech Startup Ecosystem: Corporates & Government Mutual Dependence Based on Trust

Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Peter Wee
Boon Kim San, Head of Digital Business and Innovation, Affin Bank Berhad
Fabian Bigar, CEO of MyDigital
Celcom Digi (Speaker TBC)

4.30pm

Networking Session & End

5:00pm

After Party

Join The Entrepreneur Event Of The Year

"Best place for corporates and investors to collaborate with Malaysia's startup ecosystem"
- Focus Malaysia
"The largest gathering for the top tech entrepreneurs in Malaysia"
- Yahoo News Malaysia
"The startup ecosystem event of the year for corporates and investors"
- Vulcan Post Singapore
"Best way for corporates and investors to connect with the brightest entrepreneurs"
- Malay Mail
"An outstanding hub for entrepreneurs to meet with corporates and investors"
- Yahoo Finance

Current and Past Speakers

Ben Lim

Founder & CEO, NEXEA

Ben Lim founded NEXEA in 2015, and today it invests & supports Startups with over RM1 billion in revenues in total. NEXEA connects Startups with 50+ Angel Investors, 20+ Corporate Partners, and all relevant Government agencies.

YB Rafizi Ramli

Minister of Economy, Malaysia.

YB Tuan Mohd Rafizi bin Ramli is the Minister of Economy effective 3rd December 2022, overseeing the nation's medium and long-term socioeconomic development planning. He is currently the Deputy President of the People's Justice Party (PKR) and Member of Parliament for Pandan.

Bryan Loo

Founder & CEO, Loob Holding
(Tealive & Bask Bear Coffee)

Bryan Loo, the award-winning entrepreneur best known for making Tealive the top lifestyle tea brand in South-east Asia, wants to bring joy to people’s lives through tea, modernise tea-drinking culture and make it the “New Coffee”. Envisioning Tealive as a brand that’s “Born in Malaysia, Raised for The World”, Bryan quickly scaled up to about 900 outlets serving 5.5 million consumers each month in 10 countries – Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, United Kingdom, Canada, Cambodia, Australia, Brunei and Mauritius.

Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor

Founder, TheNoor

Neelofa has made a name for herself in showbiz and is a sought-after figure in fashion and beauty who has collaborated with some of the world's most recognisable companies. She is also a successful businesswoman, heading the Naelofar hijab firm. She also established Nilofa, an eco-friendly fruit milk firm, and TheNoor, an Islamic content mobile app, lighting up the life of every muslim and an app that's handy and accessible at any point of time.

Nizam Mohamed Nadzri

CEO, MDV

Nizam Mohamed Nadzri is a recognised leader in Malaysia's tech and finance sectors, currently serving as the CEO of MDV. Under his leadership, MDV has made significant strides as the nation’s tech financier by expanding its financial services and bolstering partnerships to foster technological innovation in Malaysia. With more than 30 years of experience, Nizam has held various leadership positions including as a VP of transactions at Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Berhad, Securities Commission's MESDAQ Unit, and the MESDAQ Department at Bursa Malaysia.

Boon Kim San

Head of Digital Business and Innovation, Group Enterprise Banking, AFFIN Bank Berhad

Boon Kim San, a seasoned professional with a track record of over 10 years in the OTT, has left his mark on platforms like tonton.my and dimsum.my. In an intriguing shift, Boon Kim San moved from the world of entertainment to embrace the challenges of the banking sector. Now, he's set to lead the Digital Business and Innovation team at Affin Bank, orchestrating a fusion of innovation and financial services. At the heart of his role, Boon Kim San is crafting a digital transformation strategy that breathes new life into Affin Bank. His vision centers on harnessing technology to enhance customer journeys and redefine banking norms.

Fabian Bigar

CEO, MyDIGITAL Corporation

Mr. Fabian Bigar took on the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Strategic Change Management Office (SCMO) on April 19th, 2021. Prior to this role, Mr Fabian Bigar has had a notable positions at Ministry of Health, Prime Minister’s Department, and PEMANDU. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA and a Masters in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Fabian Bigar brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to his current leadership role.

Jamaludin Bujang

Managing Partner (Malaysia), Gobi Partners

A supporter of Gobi’s efforts to expand in ASEAN since 2014, Jamal joined the firm in 2019 and is overseeing operations and investment activities at Gobi’s Kuala Lumpur office. He has 15 years of experience in equity research, investment evaluation, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and an additional 14 years of experience in Venture Capital. Prior to Gobi, he was the CEO of MAVCAP, Malaysia’s largest venture capital firm, which has directly and indirectly invested in over 1,100 startups since 2001. While at MAVCAP, Jamal shifted the company’s strategic direction to focus on raising funds from the private sector and managing funds with local and international VC partners, including 500 Startups, Elixir Capital, Gobi Partners, Vynn Capital and Intres Capital.

Thinesh Kumar Kamalagaran

CEO, MindAppz

Thinesh Kumar Kamalagaran is the CEO of MindAppz, a pioneering platform established in 2018. MindAppz serves as a specialized online education marketplace catering to the region, providing a seamless and secure shopping experience for both buyers and sellers. MindAppz is committed to continuous platform enhancement. Its vision is to become the top Education eCommerce destination in the region, offering exceptional value and meeting the diverse needs of its users.

Ahmad Izmir Mujab

CEO, Crewstone International

Izmir is a highly experienced professional in entrepreneurship and private equity, with a diverse background. He is multilingual, holds a Bachelor's degree in commerce and entrepreneurship, and has a remarkable academic record. With a successful history of securing funding for his own ventures, he offers valuable expertise to entrepreneurs and growth stage companies. Izmir's accomplishments include selling his media company for RM 80 million, identifying investment opportunities, and driving growth for clients. He has facilitated significant foreign direct investment projects and leads investment committees for various funds.

Gopi

Senior Vice President, MDEC

Gopi Ganesalingam is a finance professional and an entrepreneur who has served in executive and board positions in the Asia Pacific region for the last 30 years.
Gopi is now the Vice President of Tech Ecosystem & Globalization (TEG) at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (MDEC), the government agency tasked with championing and leading Malaysia’s Digital Economy.

Mohd Izzairi Yamin

Co-Founder & CEO, TheNoor

Izzairi is the co-founder and CEO of TheNoor. The company's ambitious objective is to become the foremost Muslim lifestyle app globally, aiming for rapid growth and widespread adoption among Muslims worldwide. Their goal is to have TheNoor app seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of users, facilitating the practice of Islamic habits and values for a more enriched lifestyle.

Johary Mustapha

Founder & CEO, Forest Interactive

Johary Mustapha, an entrepreneur in the mobile and tech industry, is the founder and CEO of Forest Interactive, a mobile service and platform provider headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. Johary founded Forest Interactive in 2006 from his earlier background of working with broadcasting and ICT companies. With his years of experience and deep understanding of the tech ecosystem, specifically the mobile industry and its growth in Southeast Asia and all over the world, he has steered Forest Interactive from its beginnings with only 3 employees to it being a multinational company with 150 talents of 18 different nationalities, operating in 30+ countries.

Shi Ying Lau

CEO & Managing Partner,
Adaptive Capital Partners

Shi Ying is the Managing Partner at Adaptive Capital Partners, a Singapore-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups with a focus on Healthtech. Shi Ying brings over 15 years of experience in management consulting and tech, having worked on projects in various industries and locations. Before joining Adaptive, she was the former Head of GrabCar for Malaysia, where she helped the company become a market leader in private car ride-hailing services within two years. The firm's first fund is Evergreen and anchored by a prominent businessman in the region.

Shermaine Wong

Co-founder & CEO, Cult Creative

A champion for creatives, Shermaine Wong is the co-founder and CEO of Cult Creative, a career discovery and networking platform for South East Asia’s creative workforce. She joined the creative industries in 2009 and worked at several boutique public relations firms and a prestigious publishing agency before launching Tish Events, an experiential marketing agency in 2016, and helmed global clients like Walt Disney Studios, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, and Cartier. Leveraging the role of technology for talent acquisition, engagement and retention, Cult Creative is the first all-women creative led tech company with regional growth fund success to integrate Southeast Asia’s creative communities towards regional development.

Mohandeep Singh

CEO & Co-founder, Agiliux

Mohandeep Singh is a tech founder, business leader, father, and engineer-at-heart who values dedication, service, and excellence. He has built a legacy spearheading the adoption of cloud-based SaaS in Malaysia. Deep earned his Bachelor's of Engineering degree from Thapar University (India), his MBA from Punjabi University (India), and has been residing in Malaysia since 2001. With a background in engineering and technology, consulting, corporate sales, and leadership, his expertise expands over several industries including tech, banking, insurance, finance, and more. He’s a tireless and effective leader focused on delivering world-class distribution and automation solutions to B2B enterprise companies across Asia and beyond.

Datuk Wan Razly

President & CEO, AFFIN Bank

Datuk Wan Razly is an experienced banker, having had solid banking experience in commercial and investment banks, both in Malaysia and Indonesia. He has more than 24 years of experience in corporate strategy, finance, investment banking, consumer banking, accounting and audit services

Adlin Yusman

Managing Director, Endeavor Malaysia

Adlin is the Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia. He is an experienced digital leader, equipped with deep knowledge in the technology sphere and strong P&L management skills. He focuses on driving excellence through good leadership and empowerment. Prior to joining Endeavor, Adlin has co-founded 4 tech companies across different industries. He has also served large MNCs and corporates on digital transformation initiatives and venture building efforts. As the Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia, Adlin aims to grow and strengthen the Malaysian chapter to create a large and long-lasting impact for the local ecosystem.

Andrew Yap

Founder & Managing Director, BookXcess

Andrew Yap, the Managing Director of BookXcess, is a self-made businessman who has revolutionized the book industry. His passion lies in providing affordable books to promote reading and improve literacy levels. Together with his wife and partner, Jacqueline Ng, they have successfully created an empire that offers English books across various genres at 50% - 80% off regular prices. BookXcess, known for organizing the renowned Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, has grown exponentially since its inception in 2006. With a keen eye for business and a commitment to accessibility, Andrew Yap continues to make a significant impact in the world of books.

Brian Fernandez

Chief Customer Success Officer, Biztech

Brian has 25 years of experience in Executive Search, Radio, Sales, Marketing, Consulting, Business Development. His experience spans the technology, healthcare, automotive, multilevel marketing, insurance, and recruitment industries. He leads Talent Search International, a regional headhunting firm focusing primarily on senior-level positions. Brian is a headhunter for mainly senior and middle management roles in Aerospace, Technology, and Finance. He has blended his passions for headhunting and business by becoming a part-time business radio presenter. What that allows him to do is to give amazing insights in two ways. On Radio, he is able to give real-world business experience, and being a headhunter, he has his pulse on the ground! Brian has been a headhunter since 2001.

Alan Lim

Co-Founder, MBAN

Alan is a founding partner and Principle Advisor for NEXEA, where he is responsible for overseeing the development of strategic initiatives for startups under their investment. He is a member of the investment committee and an expert in advising and mentoring companies on strategic growth and regional expansion. Alan has a proven track record of successfully growing startups, having co-founded and served as CEO of MediaBanc Group, the largest media monitoring and insights company in Southeast Asia, and expanding other companies such as Commsight to multiple countries.

Karamjit Singh

CEO, Digital News Asia

Karamjit Singh is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Digital News Asia. Karamjit founded Digital News Asia with a vision that media should play its role as the Fourth Estate and on the belief that timely, insightful and analytical coverage can help the tech ecosystem in South-East Asia, especially Malaysia, grow and develop.

Raja Jesrina Arshad

Founder & CEO, PurelyB

Jesrina is the Founder and CEO of PurelyB (www.PurelyB.com), a leading health and wellness lifestyle brand in SE-Asia, elevating Malaysian superfoods onto the global stage. At PurelyB, Jesrina is dedicated towards the transformation of people's well-being and the empowerment of sustainable, health-conscious living – a mission deeply rooted in her own inspiring journey toward personal health transformation. Today PurelyB has 7 million+ users across the globe including Malaysia, Singapore, USA, Australia and France, as they champion sustainable healthy living harnessing the power of Asian traditions in wellness.

Peter Wee

Ex MD Ricoh
Ex PWC Director

Peter Wee is a member of Malaysian Institute of Accountants, Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia, CPA Australia and is currently a business coach at the Asian School of Business/MIT MBA Program. He is a Partner at Nexea Angels, an early stage Venture Capital firm in Kuala Lumpur and has been mentoring start up companies for the past 3 years. He is currently Advisor to two MNC companies.

Ash Alwi

Senior Vice President Ecosystem Development, Cradle Fund

Ahmad Kashfi Alwi, also widely known as Ash, is a dynamic and accomplished professional with extensive experience in ecosystem development, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement initiatives, and marketing. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Development at Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, where he plays a pivotal role in driving the organization's growth and success.

Andrew Chee

CEO & Co-founder, RunningMen

Andrew Chee, the CEO and co-founder of RunningMen, holds the position of a prominent corporate food caterer in Klang Valley. With a solid background of 8 years in startup management, Andrew initiated his business during his university days. Over time, he successfully expanded his team, comprising of dynamic and inventive young individuals. Andrew places great emphasis on cultivating a strong company culture anchored in core values, having acquired extensive expertise in areas such as recruitment, team-building, business strategies, and organizational psychology. His ultimate objective is to revolutionize the hospitality industry by introducing cutting-edge ideas and implementing advanced technology.

Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi

Senior Advisor, ZICO

Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi is a mentor at NEXEA, a Southeast Asian startup accelerator and venture capital firm that has invested in over 35 startups. Sharil has a diverse background in both public and private sectors and is an authority on internet governance and telecommunications. He was responsible for modernizing the Malaysian telecommunications industry and has led various strategic projects and corporate transactions. He is also an experienced mentor, working with startups and scale-ups across the world.

Noomi Fessler

CFO, Lapasar

Noomi Fessler is a partner at NEXEA, specializing in helping startups improve their business models and growth strategies. She has experience working with early stage startups and is committed to incorporating technology into their ventures. She has successfully worked with the startup Lapasar, which is an online business for purchasing supplies in bulk and continues to grow in the Malaysian market. Fessler's first-hand experience provides valuable insights to future startups.

Paramjit Singh

Chief Investment Officer, MAVCAP

Paramjit Singh Gill has wide experience spanning over 13 years in Corporate Investment Banking, Private Equity and Venture Capital. He is currently the Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) of Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (“MAVCAP”) which is one of the largest Venture Capital setup in Malaysia. He began his career at Maybank Investment Bank Berhad where he worked on several initial public offerings (IPO’s) and merger & acquisition transactions in Malaysia. He subsequently joined OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad in 2011 as Relationship Manager in Public & Institutional / Corporate Banking Department.

Justin Lim

Principle of Nexea

Starting his career at CIMB as a management trainee and then as an associate in credit risk, he has hands-on experience with the financial crisis of 2007 - 2008. The exposure built a strong appreciation of how complex systems work and where opportunities are in crises.

In 2011, Justin became an Associate Director in credit trading, managing a G7-denominated global trading book whilst building CIMB’s retail bond franchise. He was voted The Asset's Most Astute Investor for Asian G3 bonds (Malaysia) between 2016 - 2018 and led the business development for CIMB’s Indonesia retail bond franchise, introducing innovations in the distribution process.

Kugan Thirunavakarasu

Chief Innovation Officer, Celcom Digi

Kugan is a highly experienced professional in the Telecommunication industry with 25 years of experience. He is currently serving as the Chief Innovation Officer at CelcomDigi, where he is responsible for finding new growth opportunities. Before joining CelcomDigi, Kugan was the Chief Marketing Officer at Smartfren Indonesia. He started his career at Ericsson Sweden and has worked in various international markets. He later returned to Malaysia and worked at both DiGi and Maxis.

Loo Jian Sern

General Manager, Digital & Innovation Office
Hong Leong Bank

Jian Sern has over 20 years of cross-industry experience in the customer experience (CX), innovation and digital transformation space. Since 2014, he has been playing a key role in spearheading the customer-centricity and innovation agenda in Hong Leong Bank (HLB). Together with his team, HLB has introduced several first-in-Malaysia and in the region innovations using frontier and emerging technologies.

Prior to Hong Leong Bank, Jian Sern was in a global consulting firm, focusing on Digital and CX transformation across Financial Services, Telecoms, Media & Entertainment, Oil & Gas and Utilities. He is a geek at heart, enjoys problem solving & innovating, and is passionate in helping build high performing, customer-loving organizations.

Kashminder Singh

CSO & Co-Founder, pitchIN

Kash is a co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of pitchIN, an experienced entrepreneur, and a co-founder of WatchTower and Friends, a startups accelerator. He has built multiple successful businesses and founded MOBILE WORLD, a leading tech publication that ran for 11 years. Kash also co-created GoMobile, a significant event that combined a large consumer expo, conference, and awards night. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and enjoys exploring innovative financing options for startups and small businesses.

Chris Birrell

Founder & Managing Partner,
Func Ventures

Chris Birrell is the Founder and Managing Partner at Func Ventures, which invests in early stage enterprise software companies across South-East Asia and Australia. With over 25 years of experience, he has worked as the head of APAC for four Silicon Valley tech companies and was involved in over 20 acquisitions. He is also a director of the Founders Institute Malaysia chapter and an active board member and strategic advisor to startups across the region. Chris has a degree in Computer Science from Curtin University and an MBA (with distinction) from the University of Nottingham.

Aireen Omar

President (Investment & Ventures) of Capital A

Aireen Omar is the President (Investment & Ventures) of Capital A (formerly known as AirAsia Group). She has held various leadership roles in AirAsia, including President of AirAsia Digital and CEO of AirAsia Berhad. She played a significant role in transforming AirAsia into a global cloud and data-driven platform and helped grow the group's digital and fintech businesses. Aireen has received several accolades for her outstanding leadership skills, including the Outstanding CEO Achievement Award and APAC CEO of the Year 2017.

Carliff Rizal

Founder & CEO, YesHello

Carliff is the founder of YesHello, a customer service solution created during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was previously the CEO of Chatbot Malaysia, where he provided custom chatbot automation solutions to brands like Mercedes Benz and government organizations such as MITI and MDEC.

Kevin Brockland

Managing Partner, Indelible Ventures

Kevin is a Chartered Financial Analyst with a wealth of experience in Investment Management, having overseen over USD 500 million in Assets Under Management. He has worked in various global and regional roles and has been directly involved in hundreds of transactions across 20+ countries. In 2021, he founded Indelible Ventures, a Seed Stage VC based in Malaysia that focuses on tech-enabled B2B products with the potential to scale globally. In 2022, he also relaunched Founder Institute Malaysia, a pre-seed accelerator program.

Aaron Sarma

General Partner, ScaleUp Malaysia
Co-Founder, Remote Ventures

Aaron Sarma is an entrepreneur, investor, and speaker with experience in technology, digital media, and retail. He founded Touristly (later Vidi) in 2015, which sold to AirAsia in 2017, and served in various capacities at the group, including COO of AirAsia.com. Aaron is currently Co-Founder General Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia, an accelerator that invests in startups, and co-founded venture builder Remote Ventures in 2020. He is passionate about technology and speaks at events and publishes commentaries on Malaysia's digital development.

Kh Ang

Head, Innovation and Industry Development, Cyberview

Ang heads the Innovation and Industry Development Department under Technology Hub Development Division in Cyberview overseeing the Smart City initiatives and Cyberview Living Lab programmes covering the Talent, Accelerator, Pilot, and Enterprise pillars. Previously, he was a Regional Manager for Asia involved in business development focusing on attracting digital technology investment from Greater China. Ang has more than 10 years experience in industry talent development and talent analytics covering both scaleups & startups.

Anwar Jumabhoy

Speaker & Business Coach

Anwar Jumabhoy is a coach and speaker for entrepreneurs and executives, and has written articles for various publications. He started his career as a Naval Architect in the UK, but became interested in entrepreneurship after observing the management practices of a Singapore shipyard. The company's success was due to their core value of entrepreneurship and flexible structure. Anwar has a B.Sc. in Naval Architecture and an MBA from IMD, Lausanne.

Rajen

Head, Partnership Development, MRANTI

Rajen has strong experience in digital transformation and business development which spans over 20 years. In his previous role at MaGIC, he bridges corporates and startups on open innovation platforms and curates corporate innovation programmes.

Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad

Director, Digital Enablers, MDEC

Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad experiences encompasses the enablement of highly competitive and future-proof digital technology eco-system to transform Malaysia into a leading digital economy powerhouse. He also knowledgeable in telecommunication and information & communication technology (ICT) sectors and proven track record in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to ensure attainment of national and corporate aspirational outcomes impacting people, businesses and government.

Shashie Kumar

Founder & CEO, ATX

Shashie Kumar, is the CEO of ATX Group, founded the business in 2011 to provide a digital value-added payment platform for retailers and mobile channel businesses in Malaysia to help supplement their existing business and increase traffic to their channels (i.e. footfall, web visits, downloads). We enable businesses to concentrate on their core business while using our platform and solution to generate extra revenues. ATX started with a single brand “Payhub” focusing on digitalizing bill payments collection at retail points with our first partner Astro. ATX now has 150 bill payments/reloads products with 31,000 touch points, 65 e-wallet partners and 65,000 agents via our various brands – Gopay, Mypospay and Runcit Hero. The company now has grown from 10 employees in 2016 to 35 employees with a revenue of RM 370M in FY2021.

NETWORKING PARTY