Enterprise Explores

When we talk about Malaysian tech, we often talk about data centers and infrastructure. But are we actually building anything? Two weeks ago, over 600 developers, students, and founders answered that question at the Cursor x Anthropic Hackathon Malaysia.Kong Ka Weng and Faw Ali join us to break down how a small community meetup exploded into one of the region's largest AI coding marathons. They explain the phenomenon of "Vibe Coding", where non-technical founders use AI to build production-ready apps, and why the rise of AI agents is allowing solo founders to skip the traditional seed stage.We also dive into the tech stack that made this possible, exploring how "agentic" IDEs like Cursor allow developers to go from idea to MVP in hours, not months.We discuss:The Grassroots Explosion: Scaling from a 30-person meetup to 1,800 signups in weeks.The Tech: How AI Agents (like Claude) read files, edit code, and visualise UI changes autonomously.The Projects: From "Waze for Sailors" to a retro fighting game based on social media profiles.The Venture Track: Partnering with 500 Global to fast-track hackathon projects into investable startups.The Talent: Addressing Malaysia's brain drain and the influx of regional builders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent analysis of 4.6 million global conversations reveals a fracture in the climate narrative. While emerging markets like Brazil and Indonesia are surging with optimism driven by tangible infrastructure delivery, the US and UK are mired in skepticism, policy reversals, and fatigue.Dan La Russo, Senior Partner at Penta, joins us to unpack the massive shift from the era of "Climate Commitments", where ambitious targets were enough, to the era of "Climate Credibility," where stakeholders demand proof.We discuss why consumers have become the most skeptical stakeholder group and how companies can bridge the trust gap by reframing sustainability through the lens of affordability and daily life rather than abstract long-term goals.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

General Managers must own AI, not CIOs or CTOs. A new report from Bain & Company reveals a sharp divide: while most companies are stuck in "pilot purgatory," a small group of AI leaders are securing 10–25% gains in EBITDA. The difference isn't the software, it's the strategy.Shazrul Asari and Dhruva Murugasu, Partners at Bain & Company, join us to explain why scaling AI requires a fundamental business transformation rather than just "sprinkling AI on top" (like adding extra sambal to Nasi Lemak). We explore why plugging AI into old workflows is like driving a supercar in a traffic jam, and why the rise of "Agentic AI" demands a total rethink of the organisational chart.We discuss:The Divide: Why leaders achieve scale while others get stuck in sheltered pilots.Workflow Redesign: Why you must decommission old processes, not just layer AI on top.Agentic AI: The structural shift from "digital helpers" to "digital workers" that act autonomously.The Talent Trap: How to prevent the "hollowing out" of junior roles via augmented apprenticeships.CEO Advice: Why momentum matters more than perfection in the race to scale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the year winds down, cyber attackers are gearing up. Semperis’ 2025 Ransomware Holiday Risk Report reveals that over half of ransomware attacks hit during weekends or holidays, when most organisations sharply reduce monitoring and response capability. With identity systems at the heart of almost every major breach, and with global cybercrime costs set to reach USD 10.5 trillion, the stakes have never been higher.Jeff Wichman, Director of Incident Response at Semperis, discusses what really happens when attackers strike, why identity weaknesses amplify the damage, and what frontline ransomware negotiations can teach business leaders. A grounded, visual, and highly practical conversation on how every organisation – from SMEs to large enterprises – can strengthen resilience before the next holiday season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By 2026, cybercrime will no longer just be a service, it will be a fully automated industry . Trend Micro predicts a seismic shift where autonomous AI agents can scout targets, infiltrate systems, steal data, and even negotiate ransoms without a single human finger on the keyboard .Sage Khor, Technical Lead at Trend Micro, joins us to break down this AI-fication of cybercrime . He explains the dangers of "machine-speed" attacks hitting organizations that still respond at "human speed" , the rise of "poisoned" AI models that trick systems into ignoring threats , and why Malaysia saw a 29% spike in data breaches in early 2025. We discuss:The 2026 Prediction: How cybercrime moves from "as-a-service" to fully automated factories .Machine Speed vs. Human Speed: Why traditional defenses can't keep up with AI agents .Poisoned AI Models: How attackers "teach" AI to ignore dangerous threatsThe Cloud Risk: Why simple misconfigurations are often more dangerous than zero-day exploits .Resilience Strategy: Why the focus must shift from blocking every attack to rapid containment and "cyber risk exposure management"Related & Mentioned PodcastsRise of the Agentic Enterprise: AI That Plans & ActThe 7 Sins of Enterprise AI InvestmentHandling the Hack: The 4 Rules of Crisis Comms See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is changing how businesses operate and how they get attacked. Palo Alto Networks’ 2026 New Rules of Cybersecurity Report highlights six major shifts that will redefine cyber risk, from deepfake identity deception, rogue autonomous agents to data poisoning, quantum threats and even the browser becoming the new workspace.We speak with Sarene Lee, Country Director for Malaysia at Palo Alto Networks, about what these predictions mean for Malaysian businesses, where the blind spots are, and how leaders can prepare to stay secure in the AI economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are in the middle of an AI gold rush, driven by FOMO and massive capital expenditure. Yet, a recent MIT report reveals a startling statistic: 95% of Generative AI pilots fail to deliver measurable business impact. Why is the failure rate so high?Prashant Kumar, Founder of Entermind, joins us to discuss his new white paper, "The Seven Original Sins of AI Investment."He argues that the problem isn't the technology, it's the lack of "orchestration" between people, workflows, and data. We unpack why companies are failing to scale their AI pilots and why the next competitive moat won't be data, but human instinct and creativity.We discuss:The 95% Failure Rate: Why most AI pilots are built for demos, not the "messy reality" of the work floor.Sin #1: The danger of forcing AI into legacy workflows instead of redesigning them.Sin #4: "If you own the house, you are owned by the house", the trap of building everything in-house.Sin #7: "Training brains you don't own", the risk of feeding proprietary data into public models.The Future Moat: Why "Human Deviation" and empathy will matter more than data.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve spent the last two years learning to talk to AI. Now, we’re entering the era of "Agentic AI", systems that can plan, execute, and act on their own. But are we ready to manage digital employees and what happens if they make mistakes?Huy Nguyen-Tuong, Managing Director at BCG, joins us to discuss the "Agentic Turn." He explains why adding AI to old workflows ("paving the cow path") is a recipe for disaster, how to balance supervision with autonomy, and why leaders must bring the "shadow workforce" of secret AI use into the light.We discuss:Agentic AI: The shift from AI that talks to AI that does.The "Shadow Workforce": Managing the risk of employees using AI in secret.Governance: Why humans must remain liable for agent actions.Workflow Redesign: Why you need to rethink processes from scratch, not just automate them.The Talent Trap: How to prevent the hollowing out of junior skills.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, Malaysia’s progress has been measured by GDP and economic data. But a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) flips the lens to focus on what Malaysians actually dream of. The findings? Financial freedom and mental well-being are now prioritised almost equally, signaling a shift in national sentiment.Nurlin Mohd Salleh, Head of BCG Malaysia, joins us to unpack the "MY Impian" report. She discusses the four key Malaysian archetypes, (from "Harmony Seekers" to "Go-Getters"), the surprisingly humble definition of financial freedom, and why the dominance of well-being-focused aspirations might create a gap with the nation's high-growth economic goals.We discuss:Why financial freedom and mental well-being are neck-and-neck as top priorities.The 4 Malaysian archetypes: Harmony Seekers, Providers, Legacy Makers, & Go-Getters.Why 60% of the population prioritising well-being could impact national innovation.The "Go-Getter" Gen Z: Are we doing enough to nurture their ambition?The gig worker's dilemma: balancing flexibility with a lack of safety nets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia is no longer rising in unison. According to Nomura’s latest Asia Macro Outlook 2026: Mind the Gap, a sharp "North-South divide" is emerging, driven by the AI supercycle and shifting supply chains. While tech-heavy economies ride the wave, others risk being left behind.Euben Paracuelles, Chief ASEAN Economist at Nomura, joins us to unpack this bifurcation. He explains why Malaysia is positioned as a clear "winner" with a forecasted 5.2% GDP growth, the potential impact of US transshipment tariffs, and his contrarian prediction that Bank Negara Malaysia may be the only central bank in the region (outside Japan) to hike rates in 2026.We discuss:The North-South Divide: Why Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia are decoupling from laggards like Thailand and Indonesia.The AI Supercycle: Why Nomura believes this is a sustainable structural shift, not a bubble.The 'Second China Shock': How overcapacity in China is flooding markets with cheap goods and who is most vulnerable.Malaysia’s Outlook: The catalysts behind the 5.2% growth forecast, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.A Contrarian Call: Why financial imbalances could trigger a Bank Negara rate hike in late 2026.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, many companies have treated Southeast Asia as a single, monolithic consumer market. But new research from Milieu Insight reveals a more complex reality: the region is actually split into three distinct "consumer economies," each with its own unique mindset, pressures, and motivations.CEO Sundip Chahal joins us to unpack the findings of their latest consumer outlook report. He explains the "stressed digital" behavior in markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, the disciplined "strategic comfort" of Singapore and Malaysia, and how a simple question about spending $100 can reveal the financial pulse of an entire nation.We discuss:Why Southeast Asia is fragmented into three distinct consumer economies.The "Stressed Digital" segment: why inflation isn't stopping spending in Indonesia and Vietnam.The "Strategic Comfort" segment: how Malaysians balance optimism with disciplined value-hunting.The "$100 Question": a simple pressure test that reveals consumer sentiment.Why a uniform regional pricing or promotional strategy is destined to fail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we talk about global success stories, BYD stands out as the classic underdog. Once dismissed by Elon Musk as “not even in the same league,” it’s now the world’s largest EV maker, a brand that’s not just selling cars, but reshaping how Chinese innovation is perceived around the world. Yet its rise wasn’t only about technology or pricing; it was a masterclass in storytelling. According to new research by CARMA, the global media narrative around BYD was driven by its credibility, its leadership, and its sense of purpose. So what can Asian brands learn from China’s global underdog? Jeremiah Rodrigues, General Manager at CARMA Malaysia joins us to explore all that and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venture studios promise to "manufacture startups" at scale, offering a shortcut to high-performance growth. But according to Jeffrey Paine of Golden Gate Ventures, the reality is often far less glamorous, with many studios collapsing within 24 months.In this episode, Jeffrey breaks down why he believes the venture studio model rarely delivers fund-level returns. He explains the dangers of "zombie companies," the misalignment of incentives between studios and founders, and why a non-standard equity structure can make future fundraising nearly impossible.We discuss:The difference between a venture studio and a traditional VC.Why operational overload and a lack of discipline kill most studios.The "incentive trap": why studios struggle to kill weak ideas.How non-standard equity structures scare off future investors.What high-performance studios do differently (specialisation & surgical focus).For founders considering joining a studio and investors evaluating the model, this is a critical look at the economics and pitfalls of "manufacturing" startups.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASEAN is famous for its food, but a new report reveals a surprising statistic: only 23% of the region's F&B trade stays within Southeast Asia. What's stopping the flow of goods between neighbors? The answer lies in a complex web of "red tape," from confusing nutrition labels to divergent halal rules.Dr. Evelyn S. Devadason, lead advisor for the latest ASEAN Integration Report from The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) , joins us to unpack the hidden barriers choking regional trade.She explains why non-tariff measures (NTMs) disproportionately hurt MSMEs, the high cost of information asymmetry, and why "capability access" is more critical than market access for small businesses.We discuss:Why intra-regional F&B trade is shockingly low at 23%.The "regulatory distance" created by divergent food safety and labeling rules.How inconsistent halal standards create friction for exporters.The "say-do gap" between trade agreements and on-the-ground reality.Why MSMEs need "capability access" (digital & vertical integration) to survive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. But a true annual review goes beyond just listing resolutions, it requires deep introspection to uncover the painful lessons, celebrate the wins, and set a clear, strategic path for the year ahead.Jeevan Sahadevan, Founder of Leverage Labs, returns for his annual tradition of guiding us through "25 Questions to Review Your 2025." He breaks down his framework for an 8 hour to 2-day deep dive into your year, designed to help you find closure, identify necessary endings, and define your "one-word theme" for 2026.We discuss:The 25-question framework: from reviewing 2025 to planning 2026.Why you must identify your "painful lessons" before setting new goals.The "necessary endings": what you need to cut to move forward.The "law of the sixth": auditing the 5 people you spend the most time with.How to find your "one-word theme" to guide your entire year.For entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to level up, this is an essential guide to closing the chapter on 2025 and designing your best year yet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysians have embraced e-commerce, but with maturity comes a shift in behaviour. Ipsos Malaysia’s latest data shows that promotions and discounts now outrank product quality as the top reason consumers shop online.We speak with Kuan Sawu Fang, Senior Client Officer at Ipsos Malaysia, about how this obsession with value is reshaping the digital marketplace. Are platforms and SMEs caught in a never-ending cycle of discounts? And what happens to brand loyalty when price becomes the product?We examine how Malaysia’s digital economy is being transformed by the way we shop, click, and spend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are contributing more to GDP and exports than ever before, but many still struggle to break into global markets. High costs, customs challenges and unpredictable delivery timelines often hold them back, even when demand exists overseas.Denise Wong, Head of Cross Border at Ninja Van Malaysia, discusses what MSMEs need to understand before expanding internationally, how 44 new shipping lanes are opening fresh opportunities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, and why logistics is becoming a strategic tool rather than a back-end function.A practical, grounded conversation for founders and business owners who want to take their products beyond Malaysia’s borders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Budget 2026 announced, the Finance Bill 2025 tabulated in Parliament last week has revealed key details. From clarifications on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to a major shift in stamp duty compliance, businesses have a new set of rules to navigate.Tax expert Thenesh Kannaa of TraTax joins us to break down some key updates. He discusses the new and clarified scope for CGT (including preference shares), the move to a self-assessment system for stamp duty and updates around returns and payments, and the upcoming changes to corporate tax installment schedules that will impact cash flow planning.We discuss:Capital Gains Tax (CGT): How preference shares and liquidations are now in scope.Stamp Duty: The implications from the shift to self-assessment and the deadlines for filling returns and payment of duty.RPGT: New rules to improve cash flow and limit loss carry-forwards.Corporate Tax: The transition to a 12-month installment schedule within the financial year.November Updates: OECD guidance on remote work and new Labuan substance requirements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elite athletes spend years sharpening their minds, not just their skills. But what can business leaders learn from that discipline?Today, Mike Way, the head coach of Harvard University’s squash programme, and Bharati Suresh Chand, Founder of Global Edge Pharma and Global Edge Consultancy, discuss how mental fitness shapes performance, decision-making, and consistency. They explain what separates mentally strong performers from talented ones, how pressure influences behaviour, and the habits that help athletes and leaders stay composed and focused.They also reflect on insights shared at the recent Mental Fitness Sports Conference 2025, and discuss practical routines organisations can adopt to build healthier, steadier teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s data centre sector is seemingly entering a new phase of expansion powered by AI adoption and hyperscale investments. We’re now being positioned as one of Asia’s most cost-competitive markets with a strong balance of affordability, policy stability and regional connectivity. Based on a new report from a global professional services company, Turner & Townsend, Kuala Lumpur was ranked 17th globally in data centre construction costs (at US$11.37 per watt). This puts KL among Asia’s most cost-competitive markets and well below regional peers like Singapore and Tokyo. But as competition intensifies across the region, what will truly set Malaysia apart in a market defined by scale, speed, and sustainability? To help us explore this, we speak with Carlos Garcia Rodriguez, Project Director at Turner & Townsend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.