Grace Oh, Founder of Sol Menopause, Asia’s medically reviewed menopause app, shares how her platform is changing the way women manage midlife health at home, at work, and beyond. Designed to be both evidence-based and community-driven, Sol aims to break the stigma around menopause by providing women with trustworthy guidance, holistic support, and a space to understand and advocate for their wellbeing. We discuss what led Grace to create Sol, how she’s aiming to tackle one of healthcare’s most underserved conversations, and what it means to build a business that’s both purpose-driven and data-informed.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The on-demand home services space is notoriously difficult, with high-profile failures like Kaodim. So why is Tim Goi, a founder of a traditional B2B cleaning company, now entering the fray with his new app, Okay Tasks?Tim Goi joins us to discuss:* The strategic pivot from a B2B service to a B2C tech platform.* How Okay Tasks plans to succeed where platforms like Kaodim failed.* Their 20% transaction fee model and 250k ECF raise.* Why finding cleaners (supply) is a bigger challenge than finding customers.* Their strategy for building trust (insurance and partner agencies).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wellness, it’s a word we hear constantly these days. But for many women, particularly in Malaysia, it’s more than a buzzword. It’s a balancing act between work, family, identity, and the pursuit of something deeper, connection and purpose.Earlier this year, a small idea built on friendship, shared passion, and a mission to help women Connect, Recharge, and Grow turned into one of Malaysia’s most talked-about wellness events. And now, it’s back, bigger, bolder, and more intentional than ever.The Women’s Wellness Festival 2.0 returns this November at Parc Subang, featuring over 30 workshops, talks, and experiences spanning emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Behind it are three remarkable founders, Diane Chia of Millennia Village, Raja Jesrina Arshad of PurelyB, and Sarah Lian of Supparetreat, who’ve combined their expertise in longevity, ancestral healing, and holistic empowerment to create a truly women-led movement.We explore the business behind wellness, how they’ve built a collaborative ecosystem that turns purpose into profit, and what it really takes to make wellbeing sustainable, not just for a day, but for a lifetime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the bold claim of "Making Teh Tarik Great Again", this new F&B brand is on a mission to elevate Malaysia's unofficial national drink. But this is no ordinary startup, it's built on a 96-year family legacy in the B2B tea supply business.Founder Koh Peng Chye joins us to share his story. He explains why he expanded from his family's established B2B trade to a B2C brand, driven by a frustration with inconsistent brewing, and details his ambitious plan to scale by automating the perfect "leaf to cup" experience before expanding.We discuss:The mission to establish a global brand for Teh Tarik.The strategic expansion from a 96-year-old B2B tea supplier to a B2C brand.Their "leaf to cup" quality control advantage over funded competitors.The scaling strategy: developing bespoke machinery to automate the brewing process.Their "living lab" outlet and plans for FMCG and future fundraising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For 70 years, Wah Chan has been a Malaysian household name in jewelry. Now, with the third generation stepping in, the brand is navigating a major "reinvention". How does a 70-year-old legacy brand adapt to the modern market while staying true to its roots?Executive Director Amanda Koo joins us to share her unique story. A computer scientist who first built her own successful digital jewelry brand in Singapore, Amanda discusses her journey into the family business, the lessons she learned from her father, and her mandate to build deeper, emotion-based customer relationships alongside digital expansion.We discuss:The 70-year history of Wah Chan, from a Pahang goldsmith to a 9-figure business.Amanda's journey from computer science to founding her own digital jewelry brand.The challenges of navigating generational leadership in a family business.Her mandate to "reinvent" the brand by focusing on emotion and digital growth.Why the 55-outlet, 9-figure company has no plans for a stock exchange listing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s story is about reinvention and what it really takes to build something completely new when the odds aren’t really in your favour.Kristy Ting, Founder of Side Gig Accelerator, realised her savings and EPF weren’t going to be enough for the life she wanted for her family. She took a leap from dispensing prescriptions to designing sales funnels, and eventually launched the Side Gig Accelerator, a programme that helps everyday people who want to earn extra money learn a new, marketable skill through online channels. Her students today range from 25-year-olds to retirees in their 70s, with the intention to show how online income isn’t just for the tech-savvy but it’s for anyone willing to take that first step.In this conversation, we discuss how she built a seven-figure coaching and consulting business from scratch and what she’s learned about breaking limiting beliefs along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could a subscription model for outpatient care, like "Netflix for healthcare", be sustainable? FEV3R is betting it can. For a fixed monthly fee, the health tech company offers unlimited virtual consultations, medication delivery, and 24/7 doctor access.Co-Founder and CEO Adlan Hercus joins us to share the story behind his "round two" startup. He discusses the lessons from his first failed venture, the unique unit economics of their model, and how they manage costs by sourcing drugs directly and using AI to improve efficiency, all while aiming to disrupt the traditional panel clinic system.We discuss:Their "Netflix for healthcare" subscription model for outpatient care.How they can offer unlimited consultations and still be sustainable.Why this is the founder's second round venture after a first attempt 20 years ago.Their virtual-first system using in-house, 24/7 doctors.Their growth strategy, including regional white-label partnerships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is this Silicon Valley VC bullish on Southeast Asian tech companies, despite faltering IPOs, blowups, and a scarcity of exits?Launched in 2024, Raisewell Ventures has raised over $35 million to invest in AI, climate, and manufacturing tech, with a longer term aim to cross-pollinate between Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia.With 14 deals already completed, Founder and Managing Partner Jeep Kline joins us to share her unique strategy. She explains why she's bullish on this region, why deep tech requires 12-15 year "patient capital", and much more.We discuss:Why SEA tech needs to cross-pollinate with Silicon Valley.Why deep tech and "hard tech" require 12-15 year "patient capital".The 3 pillars (academia, capital, government) needed to build a tech economy.A new approach to solving Southeast Asia's chronic exit problem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a dramatic pivot from a failed Bitcoin startup at Y Combinator, Xendit has since raised over US$500 million since 2015, growing into a payments unicorn.Founder and CEO Moses Lo joins us to share his 10-year journey, detailing their "simplicity, speed, and service" competitive edge, their expansion into a financing business, and the lessons learned from navigating Southeast Asia's fragmented markets.We discuss:The early pivots from Bitcoin remittance to a payments powerhouse.Their "simplicity, speed, and service" strategy for winning in fragmented markets.The expansion into financing, underwriting loans against payment flows.Their strategic expansion from Southeast Asia into Latin America.For founders and leaders in the tech space, this is a deep dive into navigating pivots, scaling in Southeast Asia, and tackling new markets.Note: The US$70 billion annual payment processing figure cited in this episode was reported by Bloomberg, as republished by The Edge Malaysia on 24 October 2025 here. It looks to be the main source of this figure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What started as a way for game publishers to escape the ‘app tax’ has evolved into a global monetisation and distribution platform. Fresh from acquiring its European counterpart Recharge, Coda now processes nearly $2 billion in commerce annually.CEO Shane Happach, the company's first non-founder CEO, joins us to discuss this new chapter. He shares his mantra of "profitable global growth," the strategy behind the Recharge acquisition, and how Coda is expanding beyond gaming to help any digital business abstract the complexity of global payments and distribution.We discuss:The evolution from a payments provider to a full-stack monetisation platform.The strategy behind the acquisition of Recharge and their European expansion.Their ‘profitable global growth’ mantra and future M&A outlook.How regulatory tailwinds are opening up app ecosystems for third-party payments.Their plans for geographic expansion into markets like Brazil and Japan.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The packaged food and beverage space is overflowing with brands claiming to be “natural”, “premium” or “healthy”, but few survive beyond the packaging. Alvin Andrew, the self-proclaimed King of Processed Foods, reveals why most founders shouldn’t even be in the game, the truth about what makes a product scalable, and how to build something that actually sells at home and abroad.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Data centres are no longer just information warehouses; they are high-density hubs, or ‘airports for internet traffic’, and the demand for power is exploding from 6 kilowatts a rack to over 150.Wong Weng Yew, a 20-year industry veteran and the founder of Open DC, joins us to share his journey. He explains his pivot from a traditional ISP to building a RM70 million (projected) data centre business, his unique focus on telco-neutral hubs, and how his new facilities are being built to handle the intense power demands of AI workloads.We discuss:His 20-year journey from an ISP to a data centre operator.Open DC's unique role as an ‘airport for internet traffic’.How AI is demanding a massive increase in "rack density" (power per rack).Why enterprises are now outsourcing their high-power AI infrastructure.The growth strategy that put them on track for RM70M in revenue by 2026.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Running a transport company in Malaysia is no small feat, especially with rising fuel costs and the challenge of keeping track of dozens of drivers and vehicles.Ginderpal Singh Harnek Singh, Managing Director of Shaziman Transport, shares his entrepreneurial journey, how he keeps his fleet running efficiently, and how tools like PETRONAS SmartPay are helping businesses better manage one of their biggest expenses — fuel.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the recent launch of its direct ETF Explorer and a long-awaited Shariah Global Portfolio, is digital wealth manager StashAway signaling a major evolution in its business model? Malaysia Country Manager Wong Wai Ken joins us to share the story behind this new chapter.We discuss:The self-disruptive expansion to a transaction model for their new ETF Explorer.Whether ETF Explorer is an attempt to address low-fee brokersWhy the Shariah Global Portfolio was led by the Malaysian team.Why it took 7 years to bring to marketHow their offering fits into the larger landscape of shariah investment optionsTheir focus on deepening customer engagement, instead of pure user acquisition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marking its 10th anniversary, IGL Coatings has grown into an eight-figure business exporting its surface protection solutions to 50 markets. But this milestone comes at a challenging time, with new US tariffs impacting its largest market.Founder and CEO Keong Chun Chieh joins us to reflect on his 10-year journey. He discusses the on-the-ground reality of navigating tariffs, his strategic push to grow the B2C side of the business, the crucial lessons he's learned about IP protection, and his "north star" goal of hitting $100 million in annual revenue.We discuss:The 10-year journey from a startup to an 8-figure manufacturer & exporter.The real-world impact of US tariffs and the strategy for navigating them.Why a 19% tariff Is better than uncertaintyTheir strategic push to grow the B2C segment to diversify risk.The crucial importance of IP protection and listening to customer feedback.Their new strategic partnership with Petronas to localise their supply chain.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We sit down with Shaerfatwa Intannadwah, Founder and Managing Director of Roboshop Technologies, to explore how a small series of robotics workshops has grown into a full-fledged EdTech ecosystem aiming to shape Malaysia’s next generation of tech talent.Since its founding in 2019, Roboshop has been helping teachers and students not just adopt technology, but truly thrive in technology-driven classrooms — building confidence and creativity through hands-on learning in AI, robotics, IoT, and coding. From hosting national competitions like Let’s Code to preparing students for the 2025 AI Competition in Singapore, the company has become a bridge between education and innovation.Intan shares how Roboshop is changing what it means to teach and learn in the digital age, and why nurturing future-ready talent may be Malaysia’s most important investment yet.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
William Koh, CEO and Managing Director of ALUMASTER, joins us to explore how a Sarawak-based aluminium solutions provider grew from a small local operation into one of East Malaysia’s most trusted names in high-quality windows, doors, and façade systems.In an industry defined by tight margins, rising costs, and competition, ALUMASTER’s story is one of quiet resilience — built on craftsmanship, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose. From supply chain pressures to evolving building standards, William shares how the company has adapted, innovated, and positioned itself in Malaysia’s fast-changing construction landscape.From sustainability and design innovation to regional expansion, we take a grounded look at how one homegrown brand continues to build growth, one project at a time.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does a former NASA scientist team up with a former Wall Street trader to build a deep tech company that manipulates atoms without a multi-million-dollar clean room? For NanoSkunkWorkX (nSWX), it’s about breaking the rules of nanotechnology.Co-founders Dr. Amani Salim and Iqbal Shamsul join us to share their incredible journey. They discuss their core technology that "stitches together" graphene to solve fundamental bottlenecks in compute, energy, and healthcare, and their ambitious strategy to achieve "technological sovereignty" for Malaysia through strategic global partnerships.We discuss:The journey from a NASA-funded research project to a deep tech startup.The NASA-meets-Wall Street origin story.The "Skunk Works" philosophy and their mission to build a world-class Malaysian innovator.Their unique low-cost platform for manipulating graphene.Their commercialization strategy, including a contract with a foreign military.Their ambitious vision for "technological sovereignty."This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What can Malaysian entrepreneurs and policymakers learn from one of the world's most advanced digital economies? Two of our own, Michele Chai of Kintry and Sasibai Kimis of Earth Heir, recently returned from a UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) eTradeforWomen Study Tour to China, getting an inside look at giants like Alibaba, JD Logistics, and Tencent.The two founders join us to share their eye-opening takeaways. After a quick take on Malaysia's Budget 2026, they dive into their experiences in China, discussing the incredible efficiency of its logistics, the rapid adoption of AI, and the powerful "enabling environment" that helps businesses solve problems at speed.We discuss:Key takeaways from Budget 2026 for SMEs and social enterprises.An inside look at the advanced logistics of giants like JD Logistics and Alibaba.China's rapid AI adoption and its real-world impact on jobs and society.The importance of China's "enabling environment" for business growth.The unique business philosophies that tie culture, family, and storytelling to commerce.For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this is a fascinating look at the future of digital commerce and the lessons Malaysia can learn from a global leader.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cipher is an AI engine built by Ambitionz, a bootstrapped gaming software company led by Pavel Bains, that helps creators and studios design, build, and monetise games faster than ever. Unlike general AI models, Cipher “thinks like a game developer” — understanding the nuances of gameplay, asset optimization, and monetization, while empowering creators to focus on what truly matters: creativity and storytelling.Rooted in a philosophy inspired by hip-hop’s collaborative “cypher” and the indie record label movement of the ’90s, Ambitionz champions independence, culture, and creativity for Asia’s next generation of game entrepreneurs.We speak with Pavel Bains, CEO of Ambitionz, about the pivot that led to Cipher, how AI is transforming the game development cycle from months to weeks, and why the future of gaming lies not in hyperrealism, but in empowering everyday creators to build worlds of their own.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Muhammad Amirr
E-commerce has transformed the way people shop, offering convenience and a vast selection of products at their fingertips. With online platforms growing rapidly, businesses must focus on customer satisfaction to thrive in this competitive space. Consumers now rely on reviews to make informed decisions, whether purchasing clothing, electronics, or digital products. For instance, those interested in personalized e-cards can check Jacquie Lawson reviews here https://jacquie-lawson.pissedconsumer.com/review.html to ensure a great experience. As technology advances, e-commerce will continue to shape the future of global shopping.
Muhammad Amirr
RollingPay is a practical solution for businesses looking to manage cash flow effectively. By spreading payments over time, it reduces immediate financial pressure, enabling better liquidity management. This approach can be particularly useful for small businesses or individuals facing tight budgets. For assistance or to explore payment options, contact Boss Revolution through their customer service page at https://boss-revolution.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html. They provide reliable support to ensure seamless financial transactions and improved cash flow management. RollingPay simplifies financial planning and offers flexibility for smoother operations.
John Skinner
What services for accepting payments do you know and use?