[This is a sponsored article with Sidec.]
It’s that time of the year again, folks.
Over the past nine years, Selangor has steadily established itself as a key driver of Malaysia’s digital economy. Through consistent investments in innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship, the state has become a hub for SMEs and global tech players.
In a few short weeks, Selangor is set to take leadership further with the 10th edition of its flagship event—Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy (SDEC). Happening from October 8 to 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and Grand Hyatt KL, this year’s theme is “AI x Semiconductor: Blitzscaling Malaysia’s Deep Tech”.
To mark this milestone year, SDEC 2025 is bringing together leading figures from the global AI and semiconductor industries, including Jim Keller (CEO of Tenstorrent), CK Tseng (President of Arm ASEAN & Taiwan), Prof. Dr. Jack Sun (former CTO of Taiwan Semiconductor), and June Paik (CEO & Founder of FuriosaAI).
Here are 4 highlights that Malaysian entrepreneurs, investors, and tech talents can look forward to at SDEC 2025.
1. Selangor Twin Accelerator Final Demo Day (Oct 8, Hall 6, KLCC)
The convention begins with the Selangor Twin Accelerator Final Demo Day, where participants of Sidec’s Twin Accelerator Programmes (Retail-X and Deep-X) will pitch their solutions to investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders.
The startups come from diverse industries such as AI, smart mobility, bio-based solutions, retail, ecommerce, F&B, and health and wellness.
Winners of the demo day will gain an overseas market immersion programme and other opportunities designed to support partnerships and scaling.
For attendees, you’ll get a first look at what these promising Malaysian startups are building, pick up pitching tips from real founders under pressure, and maybe even walk away with a few new collaborations.
Fun fact: Several alumni of Sidec’s Selangor Twin Accelerator programme have gone on to secure investors, are now expanding regionally, and continue to show sustained growth after completing the programme.
For example, alumni The Pastels Group Sdn Bhd has achieved a 15x increase in revenue and business growth within 3 years of joining the accelerator programme, while alumni IGL Coatings is preparing to be IPO-ready within the next 3 years.
2. Semiconductor Summit (Oct 9, Grand Hyatt KL)
Chips may be small but their impact is massive, and the Semiconductor Summit is where you’ll hear directly from the people shaping the industry.
Notable speakers you’ll meet here include Jim Keller, Prof. Dr. Jack Sun, Robert Li, and CK Tseng, alongside senior representatives from Intel Foundry, AMD, Oppstar Technology, and many more.
If you’ve ever wondered how Malaysia can carve out a stronger role in this critical industry, or how AI is changing the way chips are designed, this is an event you should not miss.
By spotlighting ways to boost local expertise and accelerate next-gen technologies, the summit aims to show how Malaysia can step up as a stronger player in the global semiconductor scene.
Visitors can look forward to two panel sessions:
- Strategic Semiconductor Ecosystem Alliances: Friend-Shoring, National Champions & Regional Hubs
- Malaysia’s IC Design Ecosystem Today, Strengths & Gaps
3. AI Innovation Summit (Oct 10, Grand Hyatt KL)
AI might be everywhere right now, but the AI Innovation Summit promises to go beyond the buzzwords. For one, you’ll see advancements from exciting areas such as biocomputing, robotics, and sustainable AI chips.
Hear from prominent figures of the scene as well, including:
- Dr. Hon Weng Chong of Cortical Labs, the man who developed the world’s first biological computer using human neurons
- June Paik of FuriosaAI, the woman who raised over US$125 million to build next-generation AI inference chips
They will be joined by investors from 500 Global and Plug and Play APAC, along with local innovators such as DF Automation & Robotics, HelloWorld Robotics, and YTL AI Labs.
Visitors can look forward to five panel sessions:
- Bridging Talent and AI
- Betting on AI
- Made in Malaysia: AI Edge
- Regional AI Future
- Smart Machines, Smarter World
By fostering dialogue between innovators, investors, and academia, the summit highlights strategies to accelerate innovation, grow the ecosystem, and strengthen Malaysia’s position in regional AI leadership.
4. Malaysia Semiconductor Recruitment Day (Oct 8 to 11, KLCC)
Last but not least, running throughout SDEC 2025 will be the Malaysia Semiconductor Recruitment Day (MSRD), one of the country’s largest engineering career fairs.
Employers you’ll see here include global companies like AMD, Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics, and Texas Instruments, as well as local firms such as SkyeChip and Tenasic.
Organisers have shared that the starting salary for fresh graduates ranges from RM5,000 to RM6,00, while the salary for talents with a master’s degree and relevant experience starts from RM7,000+.
Don’t forget to bring your resume (both printed and digital) and portfolio snippets (e.g. coding, verification environments, PCB shots, etc.), as well as come prepared to answer questions on toolchains, product lifecycle, and success metrics.
Beyond the job booths, attendees will get the chance to join Cadence’s technical sharing and hands-on workshops, titled:
- “From Code to Silicon”,
- “Developing Reliable Embedded Systems with C”, and
- “Made by Malaysia: Growing Talent, Driving Innovation in AI-Powered IC Design” together with MITI and MSIA.
MSRD offers Malaysian engineering graduates and professionals a direct pathway into high-value careers with leading companies shaping the future of tech, both locally and abroad.
The largest SDEC edition to date
In addition to these 4 event highlights, SDEC 2025 will feature a Startup Pavilion with over 40 exhibitors, an Investor Lounge with venture capital partners, and networking spaces to support partnerships and deal-making.
A total of 150 booths and 15,000 visitors are expected at this year’s convention, making it the largest edition to date.
With a mix of demo days, global summits, and recruitment opportunities, SDEC 2025 brings Malaysia’s deep tech community together under one roof. Hurry up to secure your spot, tickets can be purchased online here.
- Register your interest for SDEC 2025 here.
- Read articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Sidec
