Open For Business

On this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Lakshita Wijerathne, CEO at Eutech Cybernetic, a Smart Technology solutions provider that owns Iviva, a full-fledged smart property management platform that enables efficient management of spaces, buildings and cities.With over 20 years of experience and headquartered in Singapore, Eutech works with a global network of partners in 15 countries, seven smart precincts and cities as well as a 300m square footage area of spaces across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. Their solutions are catered for owners and operators in the real estate industry with the Iviva platform. Along the course of the conversation, Lakshita give us a sense of how Iviva was established, what differentiates it with other smart technology platforms in the market and what the future holds for Eutech in the foreseeable future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“To our surprise, we realised probably 6 or 7 out of 10 customers that walked in didn't really know us, (before that,) we thought we were famous. That was a huge awakening call”.Founded in 2013 by Nicole Wong and Stan Chui, Sometime has evolved from an online-only business to a brand with multiple physical outlets and collaborations with designers across Asia.In this episode of Open for Business, we speak with Stan Chooi, co-founder and CEO of the Malaysian fashion brand, Sometime. Stan shares his transition from the advertising industry to fashion, his partnership with Nicole Wong, the challenges of starting this business, and the rationale behind the brand's offline push. Stan also gets into the role of strategic partnerships and potential future considerations for funding and business expansion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, Malaysia has been faced with a rising student dropout rate, with over 14,506 students leaving school prematurely in 2023 alone. That’s according to the National Social Council. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for innovative ways or solutions to keep students engaged and invested in their education. With this in mind, MyFuturity Global aims to step in with an application, called StudentQR, designed to transform the education landscape through real-time monitoring and gamification.In this episode, we speak with Syed Huzaifah Syed Omar, the Founder and CEO of MyFuturity Global, a company that specialises in mobile app content for various industries such as education and training, architecture, film and healthcare, who will share his insights on addressing this critical issue and how StudentQR aims to reshape the future of education in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2022, Patriot Biotech describes itself as a group of scientists, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs who want to bring molecular-based biotechnology to the masses in Malaysia and the world, while nurturing and building local talent and technology. Today on Open For Business, we explore the ambitions of this startup, their focus on genomics and its applications to aquaculture and value to academia and universities in Malaysia. We’ll also explore Gan's journey to Australia and back, and how that’s informed the way he’s built Patriot Biotech, why he left academia and a stable career, and how he’s built a bootstrapped and profitable business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If there is a time to start a business, it is now, while we’re young.”A lunch between co-workers in their mid-20s in 2014 turned into a startup that has raised RM46 million, is now close to profitability, and wants to generate RM80-90 million in revenue in 2024 powered by its growth in Indonesia.In 2014, 5 months after an initial discussion over lunch in 2014, Goh Chee Hau and Nadhir Ashafiq started TheLorry. The goal was to connect drivers and their vehicles with business and consumer transport and logistics jobs, with the vision that this would all be powered by proprietary tracking, route optimization and payments technology.With just a handful of drivers in the early days, today TheLorry is present in 4 countries in the region, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, and partners more than 7,000 drivers who provide services like professional house moving, furniture dismantling and disposing, and B2B logistics.The startup is no stranger to funding rounds. Back in 2016, it raised US$1.5 million in its Series A round, close to RM24 million in its Series B funding round in 2019, and most recently, RM4.1 million through ECF on pitchIN last year.On this episode of Open For Business, you will learn about TheLorry’s origins and ambitions, their evolution over the last decade, and what the path ahead looks like for this Malaysian-born startup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Open For Business, we venture into the advanced field of technology, focusing on engineering, manufacturing and product development with Projet Technology — a company founded out of a passion for tackling the complex challenges within its industry.From reducing lead times and managing resource constraints to facilitating high mix low volume orders, Projet Technology is on a path to transform manufacturing for multiple industries including E&E/Semiconductor, Medical, and Aerospace.We speak to Allen Tan, Founder & Managing Director, and Co-Founder Lua Yew Jin, of Projet Technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Dhawal Shah, Regional Managing Director and Co-founder of 2Stallions, a boutique digital marketing agency with headquarters in Singapore and teams across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and India.Started with his schoolmate-turned-university friend Razy back in 2012, 2Stallions has spent over the last decade providing small businesses with digital marketing services to help them compete with the big guns without a big marketing budget. Among other things, the firm provides client-centric digital marketing solutions — from SEO, SEM, and Performance Marketing to Social Media Marketing and Website Development.Along the course of this conversation, Dhawal gives us a sense of how his love for coding shaped his career and eventually led to starting up 2Stallions, what makes their business model unique in a competitive market as well as what’s in store for the company since the revamp back in April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore IWG Malaysia's ambitious expansion as they gear up to launch four new workspaces in the country. Two of these new centres will be situated in the Klang Valley, while the other two will find their home in Johor Bahru, catering to the growing community of hybrid workers. These new locations, representing Regus and HQ, will enhance IWG Malaysia's portfolio, providing a diverse range of workspace solutions to support businesses in their hybrid work arrangements. The launch, set between April and September, will further strengthen IWG's global presence, adding to its network of over 4,000 locations in 120 countries. Tune in as we uncover how these workspaces align with Malaysia's push for more employee-friendly models, offering insights into how IWG's expansion will shape the future of flexible work environments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“And I took that personally”. That was how the eccentric founder of Tokpork, Phon Yung Hou, felt when he was making RM300 a day in sales which paled in comparison to the others around him at Restoran Yum Me Place. There may have been a tease or two from the business owners around him that Tokpork was more hobby than business.Phon wasn’t always in the business of selling Nasi Lemak, but with the support from his former boss Leon Foong, the former Uber Malaysia boss and then SOCAR Malaysia CEO, he eventually got into the nasi lemak business, after testing a few other food ideas. With Leon helping Phon with the stall deposit, Phon used his last pay-check from SOCAR as working capital and set up shop at a kopitiam in the Bukit Damansara, which he still operates from today. Things were tough at the start, but as he says in this conversion, “it’s about the game” and he wanted to continue to play it. In the early days Phon was only making RM300 a day in sales, but this all changed following a KL Foodie video which ignited his business. The morning after the video was released, Phon was sold out before lunch, even after preparing extra food.In this episode, you will hear about the origins of this business in more detail and why he gave up his career to go into the ever challenging food business. We’ll also explore his larger ambitions, why he wants to go into entertainment (and what he means by that), and the long term ambitions to build Tokpork and eventually sell it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecting SMEs to investors, Capsphere claims that it sets itself apart from other similar players because each loan is asset-backed, or secured by an asset. Founded in 2016, the company targets businesses that have been in operations for over 1 year, with assets that can be used to secure the loan such as industrial equipment or even contracts.Last financial year the firm generated RM355,000 in revenue on the back around RM6 million in new loans disbursed over 88 loan/notes. Looking ahead, the P2P financing platform aims to double revenue in FY2024 and again in FY2025, taking it to RM1.4 million, where it currently projects it will get to profitability.In this episode of Open For Business, we dive into this venture’s origins and whether this model has enough of a differentiation in the P2P financing space to thrive. We’ll also dive into some of those targets and how they’re going to achieve them, as well as other ambitions ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transitioning from corporate careers in the United States of America to building a transformative business here in Malaysia, Carmen Khor and Jeremy Andrus exemplify resilience and unwavering commitment through their journey as the founders of Libra Wellness.They have created a beauty and wellness brand that champions mental well-being while curating sustainable and high-quality products with the guide of 3 simple principles, “to remember, to celebrate, and to care for”.In this episode, we speak with Jeremy Andrus, Founder & CEO, and Carmen Khor, Co-Founder & Brand Director, of Libra Wellness, on their inspiring journey transitioning from PR careers in America to launching the ethical beauty brand in Malaysia. They share how they navigated challenges by holding fast to their principles of remembering their "why," celebrating wins, and prioritising self-care to maintain passion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KL Tech City is a venture studio that predominantly focuses on providing early stage capital for emerging technologies like Blockchain, Fintech, EV, Cleantech, and Digital trading platforms.Apart from just providing startups with capital, they also offer supporting services including networking, strategic partnerships, and mentorship, and claim that since they invest proprietary capital, they are able to retain a dynamic and flexible approach to portfolio management.KL Tech City says it wants to enable and power KL as an interconnected regional hub for Asia, bringing in new disruptive technologies, global talent, and investments into Malaysia.Today we speak with Suraj and Asad about what this entails and why they are focused on KL, their investment strategy, and targets for 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, this adventurous spirit has carved a niche for the company as a pioneer in the e-commerce landscape, selling outdoor gear to a community of enthusiasts who were just a click away from gearing up for their next big adventure.On the Open For Business show today, we speak with Mike Chu and Jason Khoo, Co-Founders of PTT Outdoor, an outdoor camping and hiking equipment company about establishing and sustaining a successful e-commerce business. The duo will share insights on what works and what doesn’t when moving your business online, including the importance of adapting to new platforms like TikTok live and targeting specific audiences. They will also be highlighting their journey of maintaining a purely online business, and making strategic decisions in a constantly evolving digital landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 anaesthesiology and ICU departments anymore, and that she should just leave and find something else to do. And this eventually led to Disruptive Doctors, a platform for doctors to connect with other like-minded doctors within the community, find mentors within their sector, upskill themselves through their academy, and find jobs.We speak to Dr. Selina Chew to dive further into her entrepreneurial story, the shift from doctor to startup founder, the business potential here, and her ambitions ahead for this platform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and government-linked corporations across multiple countries in both the ASEAN and European regions that achieve a minimum of 10x ROI.In today’s discussion, Manicka shares his 24 years of experience in the industry, emphasising on Lean Partner's commitment to driving growth and digitalisation in various industries, and how their unique approach to consultancy sets them apart in a competitive field.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 started as an on-demand car battery replacement service provider in Malaysia and has evolved into an ecosystem that connects car users to roadside assistance, trusted workshops, auto parts marketplace and ancillary services. The company has served close to 1.5 million car owners and made RM95 million revenue in 2023, clocking in double-digit EBITDA and single-digit Profit After Tax (PAT). Bateriku expects to hit RM170 million this year.Announced on April 1st, Bateriku.com successfully raised RM10.1 million in funding through a joint investment by VentureTECH and VentureTECH SBI, as part of a RM37 million funding round. Other investors for this round include KWAP and Gobi Partners. This was only their second round in 10 years of business. The first external funding round was an RM10 million round in 2022 from Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 grand opening of their flagship outlet at Nu Sentral, Kuala Lumpur.On the show today, Keith gave us a sense on the concept of starting up a contemporary culinary store, the current products and services available at Rolti, the challenges faced in the F&B industry, and their foreseeable expansion plans moving forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 round from Malaysia boutique investment firm, Emissary Capital and utilised the new funds to invest in the business but also to get through the pandemic.Easybook is focused on maintaining its first mover advantage in this space with continued expansion into Indonesia and Vietnam, and is also preparing itself for an IPO - with the company scouting for listing locations that will provide it the best valuation.In this episode of Open For Business, dive into Easybook's origins as a pet project back in 2006 and the 18 year journey that William has been on, how the business has changed as the internet economy grew, its competitive advantage in this space, the underlying business itself, and IPO thoughts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 users to earn skill badges by completing part-time jobs or engaging in training sessions, fostering financial and professional independence.Today on the show, we speak with Muthalib to look into how Get Hyred has modernized talent development in Malaysia, highlighting the uniqueness of their business model and sharing their plans for 2024 and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 OpenAcademy leaning on local experts, aiming to make it more relevant and engaging.Today we explore why a mar-tech company started an online education platform, why Celine decided to lead the initiative, how they're incentivising local subject matter experts to become creators on their platform, the current state of the business, and how Open Academy wants to influence the future of education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.