Malaysia’s semiconductor industry needs a reboot. Here’s why & what needs to be done.
Malaysia’s journey in the semiconductor industry began in 1972 when the state of Penang, facing economic challenges, successfully attracted global tech giants to its shores. That’s when Intel launched its first production facility outside of the United States, a five-acre assembly site in Penang, Malaysia, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. This strategic move […]
Sony’s new Experia downgraded its visuals but upped its camera performance, was it worth it?
Let’s face it, in the world of smartphones, cameras are everything. At least, that’s what my inner shutterbug tells me. So, when the Sony Xperia 1 VI landed in my hands, I was eager to see if it could live up to the hype and satisfy my photography cravings. Especially knowing that the latest model is […]
GXS & Boost CEOs: What M’sia has achieved in digital banking so far & what’s next
When I started my writing career at Vulcan Post circa 2020, digital banking in Malaysia was a mere concept. Tech conferences featured fintech professionals discussing the potential threats digital banking—”neobanks” or “banking challengers” as they called it at the time—would pose to incumbent banks. Several years have passed since then, and now three out of […]
Meet the 2 startups keeping Malaysia on the world map as a dronetech powerhouse
When you think of the top drone startups in Malaysia, it’s impossible not to mention Aerodyne and Aonic. The two startups’ founders shared the stage during the recent Tech in Asia conference in KL for a panel titled “Pivoting on the Drone Tech Journey”. From Aerodyne, there’s Kamarulazman Muhamed (who goes by Kamarul), the founder […]
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 finally has a 50MP camera & AI tools, so what?
The first thing that caught my eye with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 were the cameras. Though it looks similar to its predecessor, Samsung has taken measures to make the camera lenses more protected. Or at least, that’s how it appears to me. The bulkier coloured rims matched its baby blue body and reminded me […]
These expats quit their careers to grow their German specialty pretzel bakery in Singapore
“Before moving to Hong Kong, I could not bake even the simplest bread,” Jane Lee Richard, the founder of Park Bäckerei, confided. The former air stewardess for Singapore Airlines didn’t have much interest in the craft either. Not until the COVID-19 lockdowns happened and she was desperate for good sourdough bread and authentic German pretzels. […]
ZUS Coffee’s new cafe brand has more than just giant pastry sculptures, here’s a look inside
Coffee meets pastry at homegrown chain ZUS Coffee’s new concept cafe in 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Its name? Well, Coffee Meets Pastry. Unlike your usual ZUS café, Coffee Meets Pastry features some unique interior choices, such as the huge croissant structures found around the store. We headed over to check out the space for ourselves—here’s […]
Building “boring” solutions is key for tech startups, says Grab’s CTO. Here’s why.
Building a tech startup is often romanticised as a journey filled with innovation and disruption. However, according to Grab’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Suthen Thomas Paradatheth, the key to success might just be the opposite: building boring solutions. During Tech in Asia Conference 2024, Suthen shared insights into the company’s early days and the philosophy […]
This M’sian engineering grad started a robotic barista biz that’s now in 60 locations
Eeyong Ho has always been a curious child. Born and raised in Subang, she often found herself learning new things off the internet and finding innovative ways to solve problems despite having limited resources. “I enjoy breaking things down to understand the fundamentals of how things are built, just so I can rebuild them into […]
Think about making $$ outside M’sia & other advice for local startups to access global funds
The velocity of money, or how quickly money moves through an economy, is a crucial indicator of economic health. For startups, especially in emerging markets like Malaysia, this concept extends to the flow of investments, particularly across borders. Despite a growing startup ecosystem, Malaysian entrepreneurs still face significant hurdles in attracting venture capital (VC) investments. […]
Founders, here’s your startup pitching guide as shared by expert VCs themselves
The startup ecosystem is a high-stakes arena where innovation meets capital. For aspiring entrepreneurs, securing investment is often the linchpin to transforming a promising idea into a thriving business. However, navigating the complex world of venture capital (VC) funding can be daunting. To help you through this crucial step, advice from several VCs at the […]
Thinner & lighter, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is now better than ever as a daily driver
I love a good foldable phone, especially those of the tablet foldable assortment. Look at all that real estate. What’s not to love? Well, according to some people in my life, quite a lot of things. The most common complaint is that they find it bulky, heavy, and lacking practical use cases. But Samsung’s Galaxy […]
This S’porean brand has a plan for more youngsters to enjoy bird’s nest—bubble tea
Bubble tea has a bad reputation. For such a delightful beverage, people tend to look at it as a pathway to diabetes. It’s not exactly wrong since they usually contain copious amounts of syrups. But one Singaporean brand that’s been turning it into a healthier treat is Bliss Nest Capsules (BNC). How? By incorporating traditional […]
You don’t think content marketing works because you’re doing it wrong. Here’s expert advice.
Original content. Authentic content. Real content. You’ve probably been hearing these phrases thrown around social media recently. You’ve also seen the online presence of other businesses take off with these content marketing strategies, reflecting in their real-world demand too. And you think, when will it be my turn? The good news is that you don’t […]
“We benefitted from it in some way”: Carsome CEO talks about their rivalry with Carro
Competition is fierce when it comes to the used car marketplace, and two major players in the Southeast Asia region are Carsome and Carro. Both operate in the same used-car space. Both companies were founded in 2015. Both are considered unicorn startups with Singapore-headquartered Carro reportedly surpassing the billion-dollar valuation mark in June 2021. Later […]
The art of letting go: Ex-CEO of Fave Joel Neoh opens up about exiting a company
As a founder, there will come a time when you’ll have to choose—do you stay on with the company or do you take a step back and let go? It’s not an easy decision to make. This is your baby we’re talking about, a venture that you nurtured and built from the ground up. So […]
ZUS, Flash & Kenangan: How these 3 SEA tech-driven startups are disrupting the coffee scene
The local coffee scene is experiencing a surge, thanks to tech-savvy startups like ZUS Coffee, Flash Coffee, and Kopi Kenangan. These brands are not just serving up caffeine; they’re redefining the coffee experience through technology and innovation in the Southeast Asia market. Recognising a gap in the market The idea for these startups emerged from […]
S’pore is going nuclear: gets 30-year access to US technologies, preparing for future use
Yesterday, Singapore and the USA signed a nuclear cooperation deal that will give the city-state access to the latest developments in nuclear technologies for civilian applications. These technologies may one day be deployed to provide power on the island as it seeks to move away from fossil fuels. The 123 Agreement, as it’s called, was […]
Min-Liang Tan-backed S’pore firm detects 50 cancers in a blood test. Here’s how to take it
An article sponsored by EnterpriseSG in the Straits Times, published yesterday, put a much-deserved spotlight on Lucence. The Singapore startup has now morphed into a fully-fledged medical company, which has made enormous leaps in mass cancer screening, which can potentially save millions of lives. Typically, screening for cancer can be invasive, unpleasant, impractical and still […]
Save over S$20,000 with NUS’ 40% discount on 86 master’s programmes. Here’s the list
National University of Singapore seeks to draw more students to its advanced degree courses, launching a rebate scheme for master’s studies in over 80 subjects this August. As announced by NUS president, prof. Tan Eng Chye, under Master’s by Coursework Enhanced Tuition Fee Rebate Singapore citizens and permanent residents will be able to enjoy 40 […]
Carsome targets public listing in the next 12 to 24 months, here’s what they’re looking for
Eric Cheng, the CEO of Malaysian used-car marketplace Carsome, found himself in the hot seat at the recent Tech in Asia Conference that took place in Kuala Lumpur. In a conversation with Tech in Asia’s CEO Willis Wee, he took on questions about finding product-market fit, navigating competition with peers like Carro, and also about […]
Why this M’sian opened a Kelantanese Peranakan restaurant named after the insult “mangkuk”
Have you ever heard of the expression “mangkuk”? While it means bowl in Bahasa Melayu, it’s taken on a different meaning colloquially. According to people I’ve asked, it typically refers to “dumb” or “silly”. In any case, there’s actually a restaurant in KL that’s actually named after the slang term. “Back in my high […]
Chronic illness didn’t stop this M’sian from starting a plant biz, now it’s an 8 Y/O brand
There’s something inherently calming about the colour green. It evokes images of lush forests, rolling hills, and tranquil gardens. For many, it’s a visual balm, a soothing antidote to the frenetic pace of modern life. Lim Yee Zhing, an architect turned plant enthusiast, discovered this firsthand. Her knack for creating things led her to architecture. […]
Qoo10’s Korean subsidiaries file for court receivership and may owe vendors US$722 million!
Two of Qoo10’s Korean e-commerce subsidiaries, TMON and WeMakePrice, filed for court receivership on Monday with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court. South Korean government officials have estimated that, together, both companies owe at least 213.4 billion won (US$154.2 million) to over 2,700 merchants who have not received their May payments. This has also led to irate […]
An inside look at Staytion Lifestyle, Dhoby Ghaut MRT’s new multi-concept lifestyle hub
Are you commuting to Dhoby Ghaut? You can now get a health checkup, hit the gym, have a meeting at a co-working space and even grab some beers with your friends—all without leaving the MRT station. Introducing the Staytion Lifestyle Centre, a one-stop hub for work, health, and fitness that has now taken over Dhoby […]
Is Singapore lacking capable founders? Experts weigh in on S’pore’s startup scene
Nobody expected that a small country with limited natural resources could become “the Silicon Valley in Southeast Asia.” Fast-forward five years, and Singapore has become one of the world’s top 10 startup ecosystems, according to a recent 2024 survey conducted by Startup Genome. True to the survey’s findings, a number of homegrown companies, notably Razer, […]
Singapore’s Temasek to invest $40 billion in the US, including OpenAI, cutting exposure to China
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Singapore’s Temasek has just announced plans to invest up to US$30 billion (S$40 billion) in the USA over the next five years, in an effort to capture a greater share of the artificial intelligence boom which is expected to shape how the world works in […]
Twenty-three Singapore jobs paying a median of S$10,000 per month or more according to MOM
Are you wondering if you’re in the right career? What are your odds of levelling your salary up to at least twice the median of S$5,000 per month? Which jobs is it the easiest to hope for S$10,000 or more? Help is at hand, thanks to Ministry of Manpower occupational wage data, which provides a […]
For 7 days, I drank this new health beverage by M’sian brand Wonderbrew. Here’s the tea.
[Written in partnership with WonderBrew, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] Believe it or not, this is not the first time I’m talking about gut health and bowel movements on Vulcan Post. (It may also not be the last.) While I won’t be doing a deep-dive on these subject matters for this […]
Why these S’porean friends started a contact lens business selling their own designs
Mabel Koh, Chua Hui Lin, and Novita Lam of HeyLens have been wearing contact lenses since they were young. Over the years, they’ve constantly been on the lookout for ones that perfectly catered to their needs. “Comfort was always our top priority, followed by the desire to enhance our looks and boost our confidence,” the […]
