Open For Business

For many entrepreneurs, the idea of living and working anywhere in the world is the ultimate goal. But for Andrew Henderson, it’s more than a dream—it’s a business model. He’s the founder of Nomad Capitalist, a consultancy that helps high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs build global lifestyles through offshore strategies, second citizenships, and optimised tax structures.Based partly in Malaysia, Andrew has become one of the most recognised voices in the offshore world, featured in outlets like Bloomberg, Forbes, and CNN. Today, we’re finding out why Malaysia is emerging as one of the world’s most attractive bases for global entrepreneurs, how Nomad Capitalist operates behind the scenes, and what it really means to “go where you’re treated best.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI sector is frothy, filled with "wrappers" disguised as deep tech and companies blurring the line between innovation and snake oil. Yet, Agnes AI claims to be different. By combining a "Snapchat-style" social feed with an enterprise-grade productivity suite, they aim to capture the 99% of Southeast Asian users who aren't paying for ChatGPT.Bruce Yang, Co-Founder and CEO, joins us to explain why Agnes AI is building a "mobile funnel" to drive desktop software sales. He breaks down their transition from Sapiens AI, their claim of "Sovereign AI" (training their own models rather than relying on APIs), and their ambitious goal to replace your entire office stack, from Word to Slack.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Southeast Asian payments landscape is a fierce battleground, crowded with global giants like Stripe and Adyen, regional heavyweights, and local gateways. Yet, HitPay has carved out a lucrative niche, processing over $1 billion annually for more than 10,000 businesses across the region.CEO Aditya Haripurkar joins us to explain why the region needed an "SMB-first" payments player. He details HitPay’s journey from e-wallet and a Venmo parallel to securing a $16 million Series A led by Tiger Global, driven by a 100% compound annual growth rate.We discuss:The Boom: How HitPay went from processing $100k to $20 million monthly in under two years.Differentiation: Why focusing on "omni-channel" and local payment methods beats the enterprise-first approach.The Business Model: Why HitPay gives away POS software and website builders for free.Capital Efficiency: processing $1 billion annually with a team of just 36 employees.Future Trends: Why HitPay is integrating stablecoin payments for Singaporean merchants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When most people think of buffets, they think of indulgence, not innovation. But for treatsure Co-Founder and CEO Preston Wong, surplus food became a business opportunity. After gaining traction in Singapore with its “buffet-in-a-box” concept, treatsure is now partnering with top hotels like The Westin and Grand Millennium to reduce food waste in Malaysia’s hospitality sector. In this episode, Preston shares how treatsure balances sustainability with profitability, and what it takes to scale a purpose-driven business across borders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The non-bank lending industry, comprising licensed money lenders, pawnshops, and used car dealers, often operates on paper ledgers and Excel sheets. Johnny Tin, a former banking tech consultant, left his 9-to-5 to change that.He joins us to discuss Arkmind, his company attempting to digitalise this unglamorous sector. We explore how Arkmind bootstrapped its way to RM1 million in annual revenue, the impact of the Consumer Credit Act, and how they are helping traditional lenders use AI to approve loans in hours instead of days.We discuss:Why non-bank lenders are still stuck on paper and physical ledgers.Building an end-to-end digital lending system, from licensing to collection.Bootstrapping from RM100k and pivoting from project fees to SaaS.How Arkmind uses client data to build custom AI credit scoring engines.Targeting 40% annual growth and expanding into Islamic loans and BNPL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof. Dr. Billy Tang’s journey from paraplegic farmer to global changemaker is at the heart of PWD Smart FarmAbility, a disability-led social enterprise transforming food security and community resilience. After an accident that left him paralysed, Billy reimagined how agriculture could work for people with limited mobility, low income, or no farming experience.The result: the HOPE Box and Soil-U-tion™ Model, a regenerative, zero-synthetic system now used across many households, Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) / Special Education Integrated Programme schools, elderly homes and refugee communities. It produces clean vegetables every 10 – 14 days and tilapia protein every few months, while restoring microbial soil life and reducing food bills.In this conversation, Billy shares his personal turning point, the business engine behind PWD Smart FarmAbility, the realities of scaling social innovation, and why disability-led leadership belongs at the centre of Malaysia’s future food story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the rest of Southeast Asia was chasing the "super app" dream and burning cash on subsidies, Qualgro took a different path. For the last decade, this VC firm has quietly focused on the "boring back end of the internet", B2B software, data, and AI.General Partner Weisheng Neo joins us to explain why this approach is paying off. He also discusses why the NASDAQ isn't always the best exit for regional startups (and why the Tokyo Stock Exchange might be), why he views the current funding climate as a "natural correction" rather than a crisis, and how to build companies for "quality growth" in an era of high interest rates.We discuss:Why Qualgro bet on B2B software over consumer tech.The "mid-market ceiling": Why $200-400M exits are the sweet spot for SEA.The Appier case study: Why they listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.Identifying "AI-native" startups vs. ChatGPT wrappers.Why "management by consensus" is a death knell for startups.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a 50/50 revenue split between local and international markets, Superdough has quietly grown into an 8-figure entertainment powerhouse. Already operating across the US, South Korea, and the UAE, the company behind Breakout and Hauntu is now accelerating its global expansion with unique new models.Co-founders Johnny Ong and Kelly Low join us to share their strategy for scaling mid-tier entertainment concepts abroad. They discuss their new "student-run" franchise partnership in Texas, their major upcoming expansion into Montreal, and why they are pivoting to the kids' market with Spy Game Jr.We discuss:The journey to 8-figure annual revenue and 25% YoY growth.Their strategy for managing a 50/50 local vs. international portfolio.The unique "student-run" franchise model with a US school district.Why they created Spy Game Jr. to capture the kids' market.How AI is helping them visualize and balance game puzzles faster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s property market is crowded, competitive, and increasingly shaped by branding that goes far beyond logos and brochures. In this episode, we speak with Evon Chong and Aaron Bok, Co-Founders of IMAJEN, a property-focused branding consultancy that specialises in curating desire for places through storytelling, identity and experience design. We explore how the founders came together, how they built a profitable premium agency from the ground up, the operational challenges behind scaling a taste-led business, and their ambitions to grow IMAJEN into a regional creative force.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2001 with just RM10,000 in savings and RM110,000 borrowed from friends and family, Symbiotica Specialty Ingredients has grown into a major Malaysian manufacturer, exporting active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to 70 countries. After 23 years of organic growth, the company entered a new chapter in 2024 when Ekuinas acquired an 80% stake.Founder and CEO Ajoy Gopinath Prabhu joins us to share his 24-year journey. He discusses how Symbiotica carved a niche in the high-value steroid market, the rigorous path to US FDA approval, and why he chose to partner with private equity to professionalise the family business for its next phase of growth.Ajoy has been nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Malaysia Awards in the Master Entrepreneur Category, alongside other notable figures like Dato' Davis Chong (Solarvest), Datuk Kamarul Redzuan Muhamed of Uzma Bhd, and ZUS Coffee founders Ian Chua and Venon Tian.We discuss:The journey from a RM10K trading startup to a RM125M manufacturer.How Symbiotica competes globally with giants from India and China.The rigorous process of achieving US FDA and international certifications.Why the founders sold an 80% stake to Ekuinas after 23 years.The transition from an owner-operated family business to a corporatised entity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia’s gaming industry has crossed the billion-dollar mark, but a critical talent shortage threatens its momentum — from programmers and tools engineers to live-ops developers. Curine Ventures and Xsolla launched the Xsolla Curine Academy (XCA) in 2023 to close that gap, by building industry-ready creators through hands-on training, mentorship, and direct alignment with studios, universities, and publishers.In this conversation with Kaveh Wong, Founder of Curine Ventures and Co-Founder of Xsolla Curine Academy (XCA), we explore the academy’s business model, how it stays commercially relevant through industry partnerships, and its vision to build a realistic and sustainable talent engine for Malaysia’s next phase of gaming growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Michelle Hah stepped into her family’s fire safety business, it was already a trusted name built on decades of service. But she saw the potential to go further. Under her leadership, Fire Fighter Industry evolved from a small supplier of extinguishers into one of Malaysia’s largest integrated fire safety providers, spanning design, installation, and compliance. In this conversation, Michelle shares how she modernised a legacy company, built resilience in a highly regulated sector, and charted a sustainable path forward rooted in both mission and growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 months ago, co-working operator WORQ planned to raise RM40 million to fuel its expansion. But halfway through the process, they stepped back from the raise, claiming that it wasn’t because they couldn't get the funds, but because they had hit the startup "holy grail": generating enough internal cash flow to fund their own growth.Co-founders Stephanie Ping and Andrew Yeow join us to break down key wins and challenges since our last conversation in February 2024, the mechanics of their landlord partnership model, why and how they act as a footfall attraction for buildings, and their upcoming expansion into "Urban Wellness" via WORQ Wellness, with offices featuring pools and jacuzzis, launching in Jan 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started in 2010 as a simple wedding RSVP tool has evolved into a complete event technology platform. After a crucial pivot away from the consumer market, Evenesis now powers corporate events and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), combining software with essential on-the-ground managed services.Founder and CEO Ts. Yusno Yunos joins us to share his 15-year journey of bootstrapping (with the help of grants) to profitability before finally taking strategic investment from VentureTECH.He discusses why the "free-to-use" model failed in the wedding market, how managed services became their key differentiator against global SaaS competitors, and their ambitious plans to expand into Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.We discuss:The pivot from a B2C wedding app to a B2B corporate event platform.Why they bootstrapped for 14 years before taking VentureTECH investment.The "managed services" differentiator: why pure SaaS doesn't work in SEA.Using AI for business matching and "event health checks."Their expansion strategy for Indonesia, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a crowded footwear market, how does a 62-year-old Danish brand stay relevant? For ECCO, it starts with a unique "cow-to-shoe" philosophy, owning the entire value chain from tannery to retail floor. But facing a post-pandemic market downturn and a "promo pandemic" of endless discounts, the brand is rethinking its strategy.Managing Director Benjamin Chin joins us to discuss how ECCO Malaysia & Singapore is navigating this challenging retail landscape. He explains their shift to "glocalization" (global brand, local relevance), the evolution of their brand promise beyond just "comfort," and how they are managing the complexities of an omni-channel world where the customer journey is no longer linear.We discuss:The "cow-to-shoe" business model and why owning the supply chain matters.Navigating the "promo pandemic" and the bullwhip effect of inventory."Glocalization": Adapting a Danish brand for the Malaysian market (and weather).The omni-channel reality: Why physical stores and e-commerce are no longer separate.Moving beyond "comfort" to build an emotional connection with customers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caring for ageing parents is becoming one of Asia’s fastest-growing emotional and practical challenges. Yet much of that burden remains invisible.We speak with Ivan Mun, Founder of ELLO, about how personal loss led him to build AI-powered caregiving technology designed to monitor seniors without intruding on their dignity or independence. Can artificial intelligence truly provide peace of mind at home? And in a crowded care-tech market, how does a young startup earn trust when stakes are this personal?We explore how technology may reshape the future of caregiving and what it means for families across a rapidly ageing region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 2023, How Meng Hock led a management buyout (MBO) of OMS Energy from Sumitomo Corporation to prevent the company from liquidation. Less than two years later, he successfully listed the company on the NASDAQ, raising over $33 million.However, the transition to public life has been turbulent. Since its IPO in May 2025, the stock has faced significant volatility, dropping around 40% from its listing price.How Meng Hock joins us to deconstruct this whirlwind journey. He opens up about the complex financial engineering behind the buyout, the "James Bond" level secrecy required to keep the business stable, and the realities of navigating Investor Relations as a foreign issuer in the US.We discuss:The MBO Deal: How he acquired the company for $2 million cash plus taking on existing debt to save 600 jobs and lessons learnt from the process.Accounting Anomalies: Unpacking the $49 million "bargain purchase gain"The NASDAQ Lesson: Why deep market liquidity doesn't guarantee stock performance and other lessons from listing on the NasdaqLeadership Shifts: The psychological weight of no longer having a "guy upstairs" to defer to.Strategy: Why he views the future as "Energy Addition" rather than just transition.For founders and CEOs considering an exit or listing, this is a candid look at the mechanics of an MBO and the relentless demands of the public markets.Image Credit: OMS Energy TechnologiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It started as a one-year experiment to cure a career frustration. Eight years later, Lit Books has become a favourite among many readers, particularly those who enjoy a more curated and meaningful book browsing experience. But behind the curated shelves and cozy atmosphere lies the tough reality of running an independent bookstore in Malaysia.Co-founder Fong Min Hun joins us to share the story of Lit Books. He discusses the transition from journalism and consulting to retail, the operational challenges of slow logistics and cash flow, and how they survived the pandemic by hand-delivering books via the LRT.We discuss:The "do it or shut up" moment that launched Lit Books.The commercial reality of being "two months away from shuttering."Why cash flow, not just profit, keeps a business alive.How they expanded to e-commerce overnight during the pandemic.And much more...Some book mentions and recommendations from Min Hun:The South by Tash AwFierce Land by Omar MusaChildren of Time by Adrian TchaikovskyMother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati RoyCareless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanMeditations for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanBad Blood by John CarreyrouMeltdown: Scandal, Sleaze and the Collapse of Credit Suisse by Duncan MavinFor book lovers and aspiring retailers, this is a candid look at the passion and pragmatism needed to keep an independent business alive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ladore Signature wants to ride "Rent-to-Own" (RTO) furniture all the way to an ACE Market listing. But with current revenues around RM500k, is their target of hitting RM25 million by 2029 ambitious... or delusional?Business Development Director Kun Chi Jun and Strategy Officer Ray Chung join us to defend their strategy. They unpack their role as the direct-to-consumer brand of the larger group, explaining why they believe acquiring 10,000 tenants is realistic and is the magic number to fuel an IPO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrey Leskov, the Co-Founder of illumi, an AI-native whiteboard, aims to help teams turn scattered AI chats into visual workflows that build context, compound knowledge, and speed up complex work holistically. Why did the company feel this was a blind spot in the current wave of AI adoption, how did it lead them to build illumi, and what have they learned so far from helping early teams to rethink how they collaborate in an AI-driven workplace? We dive deeper into all that and more in this conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.