People pay this Malaysian brand up to RM9.6K to soak in tech-enabled, ice-cold baths
Ever heard of a podcast episode changing your life? That’s exactly what happened to Yi Yang (Yang), a former civil engineer who was battling anxiety. After listening to an episode by Joe Rogan, an American podcaster, Yang stumbled upon the world of cold plunge therapy and decided to take a dip, literally. Now, his first […]
Equinix invests RM23mil in Cyberjaya to cater to the growing data centre demand in M’sia
As the world’s digital landscape continues to grow at breakneck speeds, Malaysia, in turn, has been experiencing a surge in demand for data centres. Recognising this, Nasdaq-listed company Equinix will be making an investment of RM23 million (approximately US$5 million) to acquire land from Cyberview in Cyberjaya to expand its data centre capacity in Malaysia, […]
Here’s the story of how Johor-founded Marrybrown grew to 500 outlets across the world
While Malaysia is not in short supply of quick service restaurants (QSR), a majority of the names that pop up are typically global brands. One homegrown chain that has been around for over 40 years, though, is Marrybrown. Founded by Lawrence Liew and Nancy Chan, Marrybrown got its start in Johor Bahru in 1981, during […]
AI could bring in RM1 billion in revenue by 2030. Here’s how M’sian startups can get a cut.
[This is a sponsored article with MRANTI.] Malaysia has attracted three billion-dollar investments in AI development between May and June 2024, showcasing the country’s drive for AI advancements. Our country’s geopolitical advantages, such as being in the centre of Southeast Asia and having a foreign policy that hinges on neutrality, make us a strategic nation […]
53 years in, here’s how Mamee is still adapting & catering to modern M’sian consumers
From humble beginnings in a small factory to a global snacking empire, Mamee has defied expectations. It was founded in 1971 by Datuk Pang Chin Hin. His son, Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew, expanded the family business by introducing additional snacks over the years. In 2022, Tee Chew’s son, Pierre Pang, took over as the […]
Is the AI bubble about to pop? Internal documents reveal OpenAI may go bankrupt within 12 months
According to an analysis by The Information, which received access to previously undisclosed internal financial data and insider information, OpenAI is burning through billions of dollars to keep itself alive. Net losses for 2024 alone are expected to hit US$5 billion, which isn’t reassuring for a business which has thus far raised “only” US$11 billion […]
She began handcrafting notebooks for herself, now it’s a full-fledged biz with a Penang shop
As someone loves analogue journalling, I’m always on the lookout for new notebooks—even when I have plenty in storage, just waiting to be filled. What can I say, I’m just a sucker for beautiful stationery. Over the years, some great homegrown brands have popped up, such as Mossery, Ana Tomy, as well as Summorie. Another […]
Changi Airport handles 16.5 million passengers as COVID-19 hangover ends
If you’ve opened any social media app in the last three months, I can guarantee you that you have a wall or profile full of images of your friends and acquaintances enjoying an overseas holiday. This is primarily due to how strong the Singapore dollar is now, compared to the USD, Euro, Yen, and Yuan. […]
From lemons to deadlifts: What goes in the mind of Dione Song, Love, Bonito’s first ever CEO?
For many CEOs, weekends are just another work day. But for Dione Song, the CEO of Love, Bonito, her Saturdays are sacred—she typically abstains from work and sets “non-negotiable blocks” for self-care and family time. Yet, it’s not easy to maintain a healthy work-life balance while juggling the demands of being a CEO. This is […]
Goodbye Malakat Mall: Vendors & shoppers share thoughts on Cyberjaya’s closing “ghost mall”
Who would’ve thought a mall could be haunting? Not in a spooky, supernatural way, but in a heart-wrenching, what-could-have-been kind of way. That’s the story of Malakat Mall. A place that wanted to empower Muslim entrepreneurs, but instead became a “ghost mall”, as dubbed by Business Insider. The mall located in Cyberjaya has been making […]
AI-infused Cloud powers the Paris Olympic 2024 broadcast with 400 live video streams and 3D rendering
With all the global disruptions that have occurred since 2020 (most recently last week!), it’s actually comforting that the Summer Olympics has returned to its familiar quadrennial cycle, with the best athletes in the world now in Paris, France, to compete for Olympic Gold. Of course, this will lead to many sleepless nights over the […]
This M’sian serves up coffee & food pairings at his cafe, but not in the way you think
It feels like everyone wants to open up a coffee shop nowadays, but they don’t necessarily have the barista skills to back it up. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though, as what they lack in coffee making they may make up for in other aspects. But for NOff Coffee in Cheras […]
Another failed deal: Grab and Trans-cab will not proceed with their acquisition
Singapore’s Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCS) announced yesterday (July 25) that the planned acquisition of taxi operator Trans-cab by ride-hailing platform Grab will no longer proceed. According to a press release, both Grab and Trans-cab informed the CCCS on Monday (July 22, 2024) of their decision to cancel the proposed deal. CCCS had initiated a […]
Goodbye, Google: after months of speculation OpenAI launches SearchGPT, an AI search engine
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. The moment dreaded by everybody at Alphabet has finally come: OpenAI has announced its own, AI-powered search engine to rival Google (and others, that most of us don’t know anyway). Unsurprisingly, the company is careful to underscore that it’s just a prototype, whose […]
She quit banking 4 yrs ago to start a dessert shop in PJ specialising in all kinds of tarts
While completing a Biomedical Science degree in the UK, the onset of the pandemic prompted Felicia Leow’s return to Malaysia for her virtual exams. With some spare time on hand, she started Tiny Afters as a passion project to generate additional income. Initially, the business focused on selling cakes. However, the COVID-19 lockdown posed a […]
“Unfortunate but necessary”: S’pore fintech firm MoneyHero Group axes 80 employees to cut costs
Singapore’s MoneyHero Group, the known operator of homegrown fintech platforms Seedly and SingSaver, has laid off 80 employees to reduce expenses, The Business Times reports. The company’s website states that it has over 300 staff across five markets, including Singapore. However, the firm has yet to respond to media queries on where the affected employees […]
Singapore could abolish all taxes and still pay each family $1,500 per year. Here’s the math
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Data sourced from the Singapore Department of Statistics. Much is being said about how rich Singapore is as a country but I often come across people who say they don’t see or feel it in their lives. Singapore’s tax system, while attractive compared to the rest […]
Confidence breeds confidence: 500 Global’s Khailee Ng on “entrepreneurs’ superpower”
Setting the stage of Tech In Asia’s inaugural conference in Malaysia, 500 Global managing partner Khailee Ng took to the stage to deliver his keynote speech titled “Malaysia on the Rise”. During that keynote speech, Khailee shared many inspiring pearls of wisdom for entrepreneurs and investors alike. One particular value that he not only embodied […]
77% of S’poreans claim that they can spot deepfakes, study shows
An online identity study has produced interesting data about Singaporeans and our attitude towards deepfakes. Published annually by Jumio, an online identity verification company, this study was conducted in March and April 2024 with 8,077 respondents in the US, UK, Mexico, and Singapore to explore consumer awareness and sentiment over online identity and fraud risks, […]
Explore Malaysia’s future in biotech, hydrogen & spacetech at this KL summit on August 12-13
[This is a sponsored article with MRANTI.] Since 2014, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) has hosted its annual Malaysia Commercialisation Year Summit (MCY Summit). It’s designed as a platform to boost and accelerate the commercialisation of research innovations and products in both local and international markets. Now in its eighth edition, MCY […]
Can a fresh grad join a VC? Here’s how Protégé Ventures paved the way for these students
Amira Azman had always been “baffled” by how startups could seemingly “pop out of nowhere” and quickly achieve global recognition and success. While venture capital (VC) funding certainly plays a crucial role in scaling these startups to success, how exactly do investors identify startups that are truly “enticing and worthy”? To gain a better understanding […]
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to sell INCOME” says Tommy Koh about S$2.2 billion Allianz offer
Emeritus Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has spoken out on Facebook about the recent offer by Allianz, the world’s largest insurance company to buy 51 percent of INCOME Insurance for S$2.2 billion. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to sell INCOME. It was founded to serve a social purpose […]
This ex-teacher opened a child-friendly cafe in PJ to combat the “iPad baby” phenomenon
10 years ago, bringing your phone to the dining table would’ve led to an earful from your parents. I can still remember the lectures my mum gave like it was yesterday. But tech has crept into our lives so quickly that even toddlers have their own tablets these days. Ever heard of the term “iPad […]
BilaBila Mart & ZUS Coffee: Don’t wait for things to get easier, startups must learn to adapt
The business landscape is a lot like Malaysian weather: unpredictable and ever-changing. Economic downturns, shifting consumer preferences, and surprise pandemics—these are just a few of the storms businesses can face. But unlike the unpredictable weather, success in business isn’t about waiting for the sunshine. It’s about having the foresight and flexibility to adapt when the […]
This S’porean har cheong gai biz has bagged VC funding, weeks after opening its 1st kiosk
Har cheong gai, the iconic Singaporean fried chicken dish, takes centre stage at Har Har Chicken!, a new takeaway kiosk specialising in har cheong gai-focused menu items. For the uninitiated, har cheong gai is also known as fermented prawn paste chicken. Aside from the classic dish, Har Har Chicken! also offers several items in the […]
When family ties & biz goals collide, here’s how this M’sian 2nd-gen successor finds solutions
Balancing family dynamics in a family business is tricky, needing a mix of respect, strategy, and innovation. For many, the journey requires constant adaptation and communication, often within long-standing traditions and hierarchies. As the second generation managing the family business, CEO and Director of Asia Green Group and Innovatif Plus Meeyydz Tan shared that many […]
How this company became Malaysia’s leading EV charging station operator with 750 points
[Written in partnership with ChargeSini, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] In Malaysia’s growing electric vehicle (EV) industry, one company that has asserted itself as a key player is undoubtedly ChargeSini, a homegrown EV charging point operator (CPO). To date, ChargeSini has established over 750 EV charging points nationwide. With this […]
We explored Malaysia’s viral “ghost mall” in Cyberjaya before its closure on July 31
“This might just be the liveliest Malakat Mall has ever been in its five years of existence,” I thought, staring at the crowd in Malakat Grocer. Located in Cyberjaya, Malakat Mall was dubbed by Business Insider as a “ghost mall” back in 2022, but on July 21, 2024, it felt like any other mall on […]
This startup’s unique, sustainable products have pulled clients like Sunway, Petronas & BMW
Brandon Chong’s journey to becoming a sustainability entrepreneur wasn’t a straight shot. It all started with epic childhood battles with his older brother over the TV remote. While cartoons held Brandon’s attention, his brother craved the educational gems of Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, and Animal Planet. This constant exposure to environmental issues sparked a lifelong […]
5 bouldering gyms in the Klang Valley to start your ascent into the climbing hobby
The sweat, the thrill, the rush of adrenaline as you reach for that final hold—bouldering has taken the Malaysian fitness scene by storm. It’s offering enthusiasts and newbies another way to challenge their bodies and minds. For the uninitiated, bouldering is a form of rock climbing performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls […]
