SEBA is bringing its awards to Borneo to celebrate entrepreneurs in Sabah, Sarawak & Brunei
Every year, SEBA, also known as the SME and Entrepreneurs Business Award, recognises top Malaysian entrepreneurs and businesses. Just yesterday on November 30, SEBA 2023 Central Grand took place at Sheraton Petaling Jaya, honouring 30 entrepreneurs and 10 companies.
Wanting to uplift all SMEs in Malaysia, not just ones in the Klang Valley area, SEBA actually introduced a Northern edition of its awards in 2022.
SEBA Northern Edition is created to better celebrate entrepreneurs in the northern parts of Malaysia in areas such as Langkawi, Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Perak.
During the latest night of festivities and awards, SEBA’s founder Nitesh Malani announced that SEBA will be taking its dedication to celebrate businesses nationwide one step further with the launch of a Borneo edition of its awards programme. It will cover SMEs and entrepreneurs in Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei.
Already championing all Malaysians
While SEBA will now be officially venturing into Borneo, the platform has already been a supporter of deserving East Malaysian talents and businesses.
For example, SEBA 2023 Central Grand actually spotlighted one Sabahan business—Desa Group—as well as a Sarawakian one—Faith Marine.
Wholly owned by the state government of Sabah, Desa Group is reported to be the main dairy product producer in not just Sabah but the whole or Borneo since 1980.
According to its website, Desa Group’s dairy farm operations are located at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu itself. Its group chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Liew Yun Fah, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Agriculture.
Meanwhile, Faith Marine is a Sibu-based naval architecture and shipbuilding company with global clients from Australia, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Indonesia, Russia, and more.
The company’s Managing Director, Ferdinand Wong Yiung Ying, received two awards—one for Maritime Excellence, and one for being a Visionary in Maritime & Shipbuilding.
Aside from these awardees, SEBA 2023 Central Grand was emceed by Hardy Arbi who hails from Sarawak. There were also musicians playing sape, the traditional string instrument from Borneo.
The event was also attended by Ewon Benedick, Malaysia’s Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative, who is from Sabah and is also a member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly.
Although SEBA’s current programme is already able to honour East Malaysian guests and businesses, it’s great to see that it has mindfully dedicated a new programme that will specifically champion entrepreneurs who otherwise may not have the opportunity to be recognised.
This is especially important because many entrepreneurial events like conferences to awards are held in KL, which aren’t as accessible to those across the South China Sea.
As a publication, Vulcan Post strives to highlight entrepreneurs and businesses across all walks of life with various backgrounds, including those outside of the Klang Valley.
With that, we look forward to seeing more deserving businesses in East Malaysia being highlighted by programmes such as SEBA.
While details haven’t been announced for when SEBA’s Bornean edition will take place, nominations for the awards programme will likely open in January 2024. If you know of a Sabahan or Sarawakian business or entrepreneur that deserves to be awarded, stay tuned for more details from SEBA.
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Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post / SEBA
These are the 30 M’sian entrepreneurs recognised at SEBA 2023, here’s what they do
An evening of celebration and recognition took place on November 30 at the much-awaited SEBA 2023 Central Grand.
In attendance were local entrepreneurs and SMEs, as well as Yang Berhormat Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Minister of Entrepreneur & Cooperatives Development, and Yang Berusaha Tuan Khairy Jamaluddin, our former Minister of Health.
Here were the 30 entrepreneurs who were highlighted and honoured during the evening.
1. Venon Tian, Zuspresso (M) Sdn Bhd
Venon Tian, the COO of ZUS Coffee, was named the highly coveted Entrepreneur of the Year.
ZUS Coffee barely needs an introduction, the homegrown coffee chain having grown to a whopping 320 outlets in just four years. And the man at the helm of this rapidly growing business is none other than Venon.
Earlier this year, Vulcan Post had featured the tech-driven coffee company and got to speak to Venon himself.
The COO had shared that the team aimed to keep going until they become the go-to neighbourhood coffee brand, offering affordable, accessible coffee to every community.
SEBA’s award is a recognition of those efforts as ZUS Coffee continues to grow its footprint across Malaysia.
2. Lennise Ng, Borong.com
Previously known as Dropee, Borong.com is B2B ecommerce solution provider that enables businesses to buy and sell in bulk online. Aside from empowering small businesses to digitalise, they’ve worked with big companies such as MYDIN to launch an ecommerce site.
Above being the CEO and co-founder at Borong.com, Lennise is also a SEA eTrade for Women Advocate for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Given her accomplishments, she was named SEBA’s E-commerce Entrepreneur of the Year.
3. Harsha Ravindran, Ascendance Pro
At just 21, Harsha Ravindran is already a highly accomplished individual, having started her entrepreneurial journey at a young age of 11. SEBA 2023 has named her the Youth Entrepreneur of the Year for her work.
She’s now the CEO and co-founder of Ascendance Pro, a Malaysian youth-led movement. It helps students discover what they love to do, gain real-world experiences through experiential learning, and start their own social enterprises.
Aside from Ascendance Pro, she’s also had previous ventures that have been featured on Vulcan Post.
4. Juliana Adam, Biji-Biji Initiatives
Founded in 2013, Biji-Biji Initiative is an environmental-based social enterprise providing upcycling and art installation services. Over the years, the platform has gone on to nurture over 400 changemakers, creating 138 impact projects.
It supports social innovation by empowering entrepreneurs with the right tools and resources, organises impact accelerator programmes, and contributes to the circular economy with its plastic recycling Beyond Bins programme.
For her work, the CEO of social enterprise Biji-Biji Iniatives was named Social Entrepeneur of the Year.
5. Melinda Looi, Mellooi Creation Sdn Bhd
Malaysian fashion designer Melinda Looi is being celebrated by SEBA this year as the Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year.
With an ethos of creating unique, wearable art pieces, Melinda has won multiple awards worldwide, getting recognition in countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, France, UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan.
Melinda has three brands under her name, including the ready-to-wear Melinda Looi, Melinda Looi Couture, and Mell.
6. Nurazam Malim, Twistcode
SEBA’s illustrious Technopreneur of the Year award goes to Twistcode’s Nurazam Malim this year.
A supercomputer and AI solutions provider, Twistcode was founded in 2006 offering acceleration-as-a-service to help speed up computation for businesses. Its supercomputer, A.D.A.M., was ranked the 88th fastest in the world back in 2019.
This award has previously recognised names such as Carsome’s Eric Cheng and Teoh Jiun Ee as well as Aerodyne’s Kamarul A Muhamed, so Nurazam is certainly one to watch.
7. Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, Enfiniti (M) Sdn Bhd
Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina is an actress, film producer, musical theatre producer, singer, as well as the founder of the Enfiniti Group of Companies.
Through her performances and now her company, Tiara brings world-class theatre and film to Malaysia. She was celebrated by SEBA as the Innovative Experiences Entrepreneur of the Year, a recognition of her work in improving the performing arts ecosystem in Malaysia.
8. Nor Zila Binti Aminuddin (Ella), Ben Jawi Ventures Sn Bhd
Ben Jawi Ventures’ Nor Zila Binti Aminuddin, better known as Ella, was recognised as the Celebrity Entrepreneur of the Year.
Ella is a Malaysian singer who began her career at age 19 and has earned herself the nickname of Rockqueen. Today, she’s also a part of Ben Jawi Ventures, her talent and event management company that has seemingly diversified into the plantation industry.
9. Tan Sri Datuk Liew Yun Fah, Desa Group
SEBA 2023’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Agriculture went to Tan Sri Datuk Liew Yun Fah of Desa Group.
Desa Group is a government-linked company (GLC) that’s wholly owned by the Sabah state government. Its business portfolio is diverse, with core businesses in integrated poultry, livestock and dairy, and retailing, amongst many other industries.
Desa brand milk and chicken is a household name in Sabah, alongside its downstream products such as cheese, yoghurt, and gelato.
10. Datuk Irwan Shah Abdullah (Datuk DJ Dave), Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair
The Unity Icon of the Year is Datuk DJ Dave, an iconic Malaysian singer and the president of Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair (YKAT).
YKAT is a platform that supports the welfare of Malaysian artists, helping ease the financial burdens of artistes who are disadvantaged, regardless of race and faith.
11. Suria Hani Affandi Chew, Meraque Services Sdn Bhd
Suria Hani Affandi Chew, the COO of Meraque Services was named Most Inspiring Woman Entrepreneur.
Meraque Services provides drone solutions across various industries such as construction, agriculture, and even security, using innovation to reduce labour costs and safety hazards.
12. Daphenie Tan, Vape Empire Distribution Sdn Bhd
Named SEBA 2023’s Leading Innovative Female Entrepreneur, Daphenie is the COO of Vape Empire Distribution.
Vape Empire was established in 2013 and, according to its LinkedIn page, it’s grown to 65 stores in the country, with a presence in over 30 countries.
13. Shyam Narayan Thakur, Clifftop Group
Clifftop Group is home to a range of F&B and nightlife brands, such as Le Mirch, Red Room, The China Bar, and more.
The man behind it, Shyam Narayan Thakur, was named SEBA 2023 Central Grand’s Gourmet Innovator of the Year.
14. Thiruvarasu Karuppaiah, L&D Innovation Sdn Bhd
As the Rising Entrepreneur in Metal Fabrication Industry, there’s not much about the up-and-comer online yet.
L&D Innovation does metal fabrication for cooling towers, structures, platforms, walkways, and much more.
15. Dato Seri Dr Mohamad Feardaus Bin Khairuddin, Greentech Axis Berhad
This entrepreneur was actually recognised by SEBA 2023 Northern Edition just earlier this year in the Green Technopreneur category as well as the Best in Green Technology Projects.
His work has also now earned him SEBA 2023 Central Grand’s Entrepreneur: Sustainability Strategy award.
Greentech Axis is a company that works on environmental sustainability and renewable energy initiatives.
16. Nurul Aina Binti Abdul Ghani, Aina Abdul Entertainment
Cinching the Visual Icon of the Year title was Nurul Aina Binti Abdul Ghani, better known as Aina Abdul. She’s a Malaysian singer, composer, and lyricist, as well as the woman behind Aina Abdul Entertainment.
Befitting the award she won, Aina Abdul often wears dazzling and unique outfits when she performs, her outfits catching eyes wherever she goes.
17. Dato’ IR Raj Kumar A/L R Gopal Pillai, Universal Peak Sdn Bhd
Recognised at the SEBA 2023 Northern Edition for Best In Corporate Growth Strategy, Dato’ Raj Kumar A/L R Gopal Pillai is now being celebrated for his Visionary Leadership at Universal Peak.
Universal Peak specialises in the business of providing repair, maintenance, overhaul services, and the supply of electrical products and services.
18. Datuk Gary Gan Kah Siong, Radium Development Sdn Bhd
The Group Managing Director of Radium Development was crowned the Most Enterprising Property Developer.
Radium Development’s projects include affordable homes, urban residences, and premium developments.
19. Dato’ Dr Vesvanathan Pullian, VS Logistics & Shipping Sdn Bhd
The CEO of VS Logistics & Shipping, Dato’ Dr Vesvanathan Pullian was named the Top Rising Entrepreneur in Project Cargo & Heavy Lifting Logistics.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he’s a specialist on handling special equipment, heavy lifting, and transportation, with 15 years of experience in warehousing, distribution, and logistics service.
20. Kristy Liew, Ink Marketing Sdn Bhd
Named Most Innovative Women Entrepreneur, Kristy Liew is the Managing Director of Ink Marketing, an accredited below-the-line shopper activation specialist.
The marketing agency designs and manufactures in-house, allowing for better cost and quality control. Their product catalogue includes things such as temporary, permanent, and semi-permanent displays.
21. Dr Vijendran Arulrajah, Brixsten Academy
The award for Edupreneurship Excellence went to Brixsten Academy’s CEO, Dr Vijendran Arulrajah.
Founded in 2015 by reputed tutors in Klang Valley, Brixsten Academy aims to offer quality education at an affordable cost. Its programmes include a full-time IGCSE course as well as tuitions.
22. Ferdinand Wong Yiung Ying, Faith Marine Sdn Bhd
Faith Marine Managing Director Ferdinand Wong Yiung Ying was recognised by two awards during this evening. One for Maritime Excellence, and one for being a Visionary in Maritime & Shipbuilding.
Faith Marine is a ship engineering and building company based in Sibu, Sarawak.
23. Datuk Wira Dr Franck Li, First Pavilion Technology Sdn Bhd
The Leading Entrepreneur in Fintech Solution Industry went to Datuk Wira Dr Franck Li.
First Pavilion Technology is a regional holding company and parent to a suite of fintech subsidiaries and affiliates providing comprehensive fintech solutions and services to kickstart, define, and accelerate businesses.
24. Datuk Dr Mani Priya Thirumaney, MPT Medical Services Sdn Bhd
The CEO of MPT Medical Services, Datuk Dr Mani Priya Thirumaney was given the recognition for Emerging Trends in Holistic Pharmacy by SEBA.
While there isn’t much we could find about her and MPT Medical Services online, we hope to learn more about what they do as they gain prominence.
25. Dr Suriany Bullah, Putramed Clinics (Wholly owned by Andaman Empire Sdn Bhd)
Putramed Clinics, which is wholly owned by Andaman Empire Sdn Bhd, was given the Best in Medical Industry award, recognising Dr Suriany Bullah.
26. Tan Boon Huat, Happy Family Well-Being Sdn Bhd
Hailing from Melaka, Tan Boon Huat is an iridologist and holistic wellness specialist. Iridology is the alternative medicine practice whereby a specialist studies one’s irises to determine their health.
Happy Family Well-Being is the healthcare brand he founded that carries various health products such as liver-detoxing beverages and anti-reflux teas.
He and the company were recognised for their work, and given the title Excellence Holistic Wellness Practitioner.
27. Navindran K. Sundarajoo, Navin Group Events Sdn Bhd
Given the title of Emerging Event Executor, Navin Group offers customers affordable, professional solutions to event equipment needs.
Its catalogue covers canopies and tents, tables and chairs, air coolers, fan and lighting equipment, red carpets, PA systems and DJs, and so much more.
28. Whan Mugilan, Vessel Pro Sdn Bhd
Agritech R&D company Vessel Pro’s Head of Business Development Whan Mugilan was named SEBA 2023’s Sustainable Farming Steward.
We couldn’t find much about the company, but according to Whan Mugilan’s LinkedIn, he is a certified Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) Trainer with 15 years of experience in smart farming production, arrangements, and training.
29. Engr (Dr.) Nik Azhan Nik Hashim, NZMA Sdn Bhd
For the Sustainable Energy Leadership category, Engr (Dr.) Nik Azhan Nik Hashim was recognised for this work under NZMA.
While not much has been published online about the company, he was recognised by another award, the World Muslimpreneur Award, last year.
30. Danny Khoo, W Aesthetics Holdings Sdn Bhd
W Aesthetics Holdings, which operates with the brand name of W360 Aesthetics, is a skincare clinic in Malaysia.
Danny Khoo, the CEO, was recognised by SEBA 2023 as the Pinnacle of Aesthetic Achievement.
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Congratulations to all the awardees, and congratulations to SEBA for another year of bringing entrepreneurs into the spotlight!
Also Read: Earn RM2.4k/mo as an intern in the capital markets via the investED leadership programme
Featured Image Credit: Ella Aminuddin / ZUS Coffee / Nurazam Malim
AI job interviews: The rise of AI in recruiting can streamline hiring, but at what cost?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, and it is affecting how we are getting hired.
To date, many companies have incorporated forms of AI into their hiring processes. Consumer goods giant Unilever first used AI to hire entry-level roles in 2016 as part of their digitalisation plans, claiming to have cut down time spent on reviewing applications by 75 per cent. Along with other big-name entities, they have taken another step forward by conducting AI-led interviews.
However, some have argued that AI-led, automated and even asynchronous interviews have made the job hunting process a lot more harder than it already is.
AI interviews in Asia – yay or nay?
But first, we need to acknowledge that most companies that have extensively incorporated AI into their hiring processes are from Western continents: North America and Europe. With this in mind, one might wonder if this trend is making waves in the East.
The answer to that question is yes – but not without resistance.
Let’s take South Korea, known for their competitive education and work culture, as an example. In an article by Reuters, the country saw an increase in career coaching services aimed at helping job hunters pass job interviews conducted by AI chatbots.
One might question the demand for such classes, as it seems to be an extremely niche area. However, with the rising youth unemployment rate and the “need” to attend cram schools – after-school academies otherwise known as hakwon in Korean – it is clear that people are looking to stand out from the rest in the never-ending rat race.
With large conglomerates such as SK Group and Samsung pivoting to AI-led interviews, the public’s response has been polarising. While some have succeeded in their job hunting with the help of these classes, others have decided to temporarily step out of the rat race.
To them, there is a fear that they will not be able to adapt to the changes, and any preparations seem meaningless as the AI software will be able to detect any abnormalities in their facial expressions. This creates a rather dystopian outlook into what young job seekers will face in South Korea and possibly in the future.
Similar sentiments can also be seen in Singapore, with more fresh graduates struggling to secure full-time job roles despite having university degrees in recent years.
A joint study conducted by National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, International Institute for Management Development (IIMD) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University found that the majority of their participants deem AI used in recruitment as untrustworthy, citing that the technology could not capture the uniqueness of each candidate.
It is worth noting that this study was conducted between 2017 and 2018, and video interviews have since become more normalised due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New technologies such as Machine Learning and AI have also become more advanced and integrated into our daily lives. Regardless, these findings and sentiments are still relevant today.
Despite tech advancements, AI interviews remain unpopular among candidates
Impressing human recruiters is already daunting, so with the introduction of AI interviews and recruiters, one might be scratching their heads, thinking, “How can I impress an algorithm?” and might feel fearful at the thought of being evaluated by robots.
According to a research report by Harvard Business Review, candidates are often left in the dark or unclear of how the interview is being conducted, specifically the extent to which AI will be used during the assessment processes. This raises concerns about misinformation from hiring companies and puts candidates at a disadvantage in the hiring process.
Some job seekers are also daunted by the asynchronicity of the interviews – where they “pitch” themselves to companies via timed video recordings and online tests. They express that the lack of interaction with an actual person causes them to conduct themselves differently.
This situation creates a feeling of ‘existential dread’ – the panic felt in the absence of human interaction and social cues when deemed necessary. Instead of feeling more comfortable and confident, candidates experience higher levels of stress and anxiety from the impersonal tests.
Because of this, some job seekers chose not to apply to certain job roles upon learning that they have to pass an automated video interview (AVI). They cite feeling demoralised by the rejection they face before having the chance to interact with an actual person working in the company.
AI also streamlines the hiring process
Having said that, we cannot deny the impact that AI has brought to the human resources (HR) sector worldwide. With the advent of generational AI, notably ChatGPT, many career consultants and recruiters have taken to social media to share how candidates can use AI to prepare for job interviews, whether conducted synchronously or asynchronously.
Many job seekers, myself included, have received the same advice when it comes to crafting our resumes and cover letters — that they should not exceed one page and be as ‘short and sweet’ as possible. Using ChatGPT is known to provide suggestions on conveying our experiences and job history in a cohesive and effective manner.
Recently, we have also seen the emergence of new startups offering their unique solution to streamline the hiring process for both businesses and individuals. OppTy is one such startup in Singapore, providing an omnichannel platform for job seekers to seek employment as well as resources to guide them through the processes. It also caters to businesses looking to increase the efficiency of their hiring practices.
In his previous interview with Vulcan Post, Jansen Gwee, founder of OppTy, shared that all processes, including interviews – are facilitated by AI to eliminate the need for repetitive administrative work. The platform had more than 5,000 users and 1,800 companies at the time of the interview.
The technology behind it is still immature
However, at this point, AI interviews have yet to become a foolproof way of evaluating potential hires, with most solutions being tailored to businesses rather than candidates, which explains the scepticism towards the reliability of AI interviews.
Many reports have highlighted that since AI works off historical data, biassed sources perpetuate greater prejudice than reduce it, leading to unintentional discrimination among candidates.
All humans have an innate need to feel a sense of belonging, whether at home, school, or work. It is important for companies to establish relationships with their employees, including those who have not yet worked with them. If companies choose to rely heavily on AI for interviews, candidates often feel drained from the process and eventually feel lost on how to improve themselves for future interviews.
Ironically, this calls for AI to be trained by humans on a broader range of nuances from human job seekers. A study showed that although AI is able to evaluate interviewees according to measurable metrics, it cannot detect the unique and ‘novel’ nuances and social cues that candidates exhibit during interviews, often resulting in inaccuracies in its evaluation. This implies that the hiring process might be dehumanised with greater AI integration without proper regulation.
Last month, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo virtually attended the Fourth European AI Alliance Assembly, where she emphasised the need to build trust in AI across different industries and countries.
In her speech, she acknowledged the potential that AI has in society, as well as the risks involved when one chooses to misuse it, requiring collaboration between the public and private sectors.
To accelerate the widespread adoption of AI, everyone needs to feel that the technology is fair, safe and beneficial. Governments play an essential role in helping to build the public trust, to address concerns that AI will bring disruption to workplaces and livelihoods. That is one area that we must work on.
We must also set up guardrails for the ethical development and use of AI. And critically, we must also ensure that organisations are accountable and transparent about the use of AI.
– Minister Josephine Teo, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Communications and Information
She also shared that Singapore has been experimenting with AI as early as 2019, making it one of the first countries in Asia to do so. The government has also been working with various entities such as Google and Salesforce as part of their experimentation in using AI safely.
So what does this mean for job seekers in Singapore? Although AI will continue to be used in the HR sector, it will play a complementary role to human recruiters.
Moreover, there is more room for growth and advancements in AI’s ability to accurately evaluate job candidates. But with greater exposure and research, AI has a bigger potential to disrupt the job market worldwide in the future.
Featured Image Credit: Hult Blogs
Also Read: Between Oxford and Yale: NUS graduates ranked 9th most sought-after by global employers
From EV chargers to powering Pulau Ubin: How this S’pore startup is redefining energy storage
The net zero mission is all about sustainability, from how energy is generated to the manner in which it is stored.
As per the International Energy Agency, the world is set to add as much renewable power in the five years starting 2023 as it did in the 20 years prior. Renewable energy adoption is surpassing forecasts and more so than ever, there’s a need for solutions to store this energy sustainably.
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are the most popular form of energy storage. They are used in all sorts of devices including phones, laptops, and electric vehicles (EVs).
Unfortunately, these batteries leave much to be desired when it comes to the efficient use of energy. They need to be replaced fairly often and lose capacity over time — you might have noticed that your electronics run out of battery quicker after a few years of use.
In contrast, vanadium flow batteries are an emerging technology which can last a lot longer, up to 25 years, without degradation. Most of the components of vanadium flow batteries can also be recycled and reused.
Making energy storage sustainable
Founded in 2018, VFlowTech is a Singapore-based startup working on the development of vanadium flow technology.
“Although the origins of vanadium flow batteries date back to the 1980s, they encountered challenges such as parasitic losses,” says Dr. Avishek Kumar, CEO of VFlowTech. These challenges limit the efficiency and usability of these batteries.
“To combat such issues, VFlowTech embarked on a mission to redefine this technology, with a clear vision of developing the most competitively priced and scalable vanadium flow batteries globally.”
The company is making strides in improving the performance and sustainability of these batteries, all of which will prove integral if vanadium flow is to become the future of energy storage.
“Our commitment to safety and environmental friendliness positions our battery technology as a sustainable choice for long-duration energy storage,” Dr. Kumar explains.
Over time, vanadium flow batteries could benefit a variety of industries, powering grid services, EV chargers, and telecom towers. In line with Singapore’s net zero vision, VFlowTech envisions 30 per cent of the country’s energy needs being powered by vanadium flow batteries by 2050.
Challenges to vanadium flow adoption
Although vanadium flow batteries offer a number of benefits — beyond the long lifespan, they also have low maintenance requirements and minimise energy loss — there are challenges in scaling up and making them mainstream.
“The upfront expense presents a significant barrier to adoption, particularly for businesses and industries operating within tight budgets,” Dr. Kumar says. The being said, he clarifies that “the total cost of ownership over the lifespan of vanadium flow batteries often proves to be cost-effective”.
In industries such as automotives, there are a number of operational considerations which also stand in the way of using vanadium flow batteries. “It would necessitate substantial research and development efforts, adjustments in manufacturing processes, and potential updates to infrastructure for charging and maintenance.”
There is also a need to raise awareness about the benefits of vanadium flow batteries. “They are not as widely recognised or understood as more conventional energy storage solutions, such as lithium-ion batteries.”
Dr. Kumar believes that this requires constant engagement with industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. Educational efforts will play a key role in accelerating the adoption of this technology.
Successes so far
To date, VFlowTech has launched a number of real-world solutions demonstrating the use of vanadium flow batteries. In Pulau Ubin, the company has deployed its 1MWh long-duration energy storage system, helping eliminate the use of diesel generators on the island.
“This is a significant testament that vanadium flow batteries are capable of powering small communities, and we believe that by scaling this technology, we are able to power larger communities and islands like Singapore.”
Beyond Singapore, the company is also involved in rural electrification projects in India and parts of Africa. These involve the storage of solar and wind-generated power in VFlowTech PowerCube units. “Furthermore, our batteries have also been distributed in Japan to help act as a reliable energy backup resource during natural disasters,” Dr. Kumar adds.
VFlowTech is also making headways in the EV sector, starting with EV chargers powered by vanadium flow batteries. “We are addressing the core of the EV ecosystem, aiming to clean the power source of EVs right from the roots.”
Chargers offer an ideal way to get a foot in the industry as using vanadium batteries to power the vehicles themselves poses a bigger hurdle. “Because of their low power density, vanadium flow batteries are too large for vehicle application. The primary hurdle lies in reimagining vehicles with flow battery systems instead of the traditional lithium-ion batteries.”
Proving the utility of these batteries through EV chargers could serve as valuable evidence and help convince EV makers to design vehicles using this technology as well.
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Featured Image Credit: NTU / VFlowTech
Also Read: This S’pore startup is transforming the construction and landscaping sectors with clean energy
Why this 13 Y/O café in Melaka for “serious coffee drinkers only” bans photography
If you’re not serious about coffee, do not go to Mods Cafe in Melaka. Consider this an official warning, if the sign on the door that literally reads “Serious Coffee Drinker Only” isn’t enough to deter you.
Serving artisanal coffee along Jalan Tukang Emas in Melaka’s Jonker area, Mods Cafe features a unique retro aesthetic with a vintage van parked inside and an eclectic assortment of personal items, from a drum set to childhood trophies, on display.
With such an interesting concept, you’d imagine that Mods Cafe would be one of those Instagram hot spots.
But you’d be sorely mistaken. Remember what we said about it only welcoming serious coffee drinkers? That disclaimer comes with the added rule of no picture-taking whatsoever.
Finding this to almost feel counter-intuitive to how businesses are run today (AKA with an astute awareness of what social media can do to ramp up sales), I reached out to Abert Khow, the man behind Mods Cafe.
Find something to do, and do it well
Before he was a coffee aficionado, Abert was actually a full-time drummer. After marrying his wife, who worked as a teacher, the couple decided to start something of their own.
As he often worked nights while she worked in the morning, they wanted something in between that they could do together. They found their answer in coffee.
Interestingly, before settling on that career shift, Abert was not yet a big coffee fanatic as I imagined. Rather, he only really started diving into the world of coffee after making the decision. As he ran the business, he would further research the craft on the side.
Originally from Johor, Abert started Mods Cafe as a mobile coffee shop, operating out of the vintage van that’s now pretty much a permanent fixture in the store. They started out by doing a lot of events, but eventually settled down in Melaka (for the vibes, we gathered).
Abert then continued honing his barista skills over the years.
On how he picked up the expertise to go this far, he said it’s self-taught, and that there’s no one academy that can teach you these things. You just have to adjust and tailor your practices over years, as he did.
Today, Mods Cafe is a place where coffee lovers gather, with some willing to pay more than RM50 for a cup of joe.
This level of pricing is apparently not uncommon for premium roasts and brews (or so I heard from Mods Cafe’s team). The reason for it is not just because they use premium beans and an exclusive roasting technique, but also because of their unique equipment, which Abert oftentimes makes himself.
He even has some odd milk distillation contraption that feels kind of like a mad scientist’s lab. In short, patrons aren’t just paying for simple cup of coffee, but rather over a decade’s worth of knowledge and craftmanship.
Respect for the store, staff, and craft
Finally understanding Abert’s initial intentions with the store, I still didn’t quite get the no-photography rule.
“Actually, for 13 years, we allowed people to take photos,” he explained. According to a blog post I found online from 2013, one cup of coffee was the “minimum quota” to take a picture at the time.
“But around the time after the MCOs, the people who came just for photos became too much.”
To Abert, these people weren’t there for the coffee, but just there to show off on social media. While not inherently wrong, they were not the kind of people Mods Cafe wanted to target in the first place.
After deep consideration, they came to the decision to ban photography.
Of course, this ended up alienating and eliminating a lot of customers. But that’s a willing sacrifice from Abert’s part, who even considers it as an opportunity to strengthen their base of regulars.
Today, Melakans make up around 10% to 15% of this regular base, while most customers actually travel all the way from KL, Singapore, Johor Bahru, and other bigger cities.
“Actually, this thing is difficult. Coffee is difficult,” Abert mused. “Not many people are willing to challenge difficult techniques. But we do. Similar to how there are expectations for our quality, we also have expectations for our customers.”
Asking Abert about the increasing competition in Melaka’s cafe scene, the Mods Cafe owner admitted that those spots are probably much friendlier than them.
“But every industry is actually like this,” he continued. “When you’ve gotten to a very expert level, your customers’ level and your level should be close too.”
“But people keep thinking that all cafes are places that anyone can just go, so they’d think, ‘Why is Mods Cafe like that?’ But if they are people who expect quality from coffee, this is not a problem for them. Only those who aren’t serious about coffee will have a problem.”
Criticisms may come from people who don’t get it
A few months ago, I was able to give Mods Cafe an in-person visit and spoke to the barista working at the time.
She’s been with Mods Cafe a few years, and has some opinions about the no-photography rule. The short answer? She likes it.
The barista explained that at her previous job in another cafe, many visitors would just start taking photos of her as she was working, as though she was on display. It felt uncomfortable, and it detracted from the actual coffee that she was crafting for these guests.
But not everyone gets that. If you go to Mods Cafe’s Facebook, you’ll actually find some pretty shocking comments about the cafe’s customer service—or perhaps the lack thereof.
A man who stands his ground, Abert said he’s not fussed at all about these so-called hate comments.
“I have no feelings about it—these reviews won’t affect us, because people who will give these reviews don’t come for the coffee,” he pointed out.
Understandably, Mods Cafe may appear to be a place that feels intimidating, especially for those who are new to coffee, or feel as though they haven’t refined their palates yet. But in a way, Mods Cafe actually exists to refine that palate.
In any case, aside from the expensive drinks that can go above RM50, there are affordable options on the menu for beginners, such as the general RM13 latte.
Moving forward, the cafe has no big ambitions of growing and expanding. To Abert, if you want to run a good business, one shop is more than enough.
“Our priority is not money, it’s quality,” he affirmed. “If I want to pursue quality, I can’t open a second, third shop—we can do a bit more, but we won’t open another location.”
Having seemed to perfect their quality now (though Abert denies such is the case—they’re always learning), I wondered whether Mods Cafe would want to put themselves on the map through barista competitions.
The answer from the owner is a resounding no.
“People think the hardest thing is being a champion,” he said. “But I’ll tell them, champions spend three months fighting for one cup of coffee. But that one winning cup of coffee is something I have to try and do every day at my shop. Serving customers that kind of quality, that’s the real challenge.”
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Featured Image Credit: Mods Cafe
