Corporate venture capital: Why it matters & what role it plays in Malaysia’s startup ecosystem
We’ve long heard players in Malaysia’s startup ecosystem talk about the importance of private corporate participation in supporting local entrepreneurs. But the question is, why should corporates invest in startups, and how do they go about doing so? At the Malaysia Venture Forum, hosted by the Malaysian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (MVCA) as […]
Losing her job was the push this M’sian needed to start her own virtual assistant agency
There was a time when my social media feed was flooded with virtual assistant content. The videos typically talk about how lucrative the career is, especially for a remote position. For the uninitiated, virtual assistants are exactly what it sounds like—assistants that provide help to clients remotely, typically with tasks in the professional administrative, technical, […]
Wake up entrepreneurs, here are 5 harsh truths that could make or break your business
Organised by MYStartup as part of Startup Week Malaysia 2023, The Failing Forward session at Colony Star Boulevard KLCC was graced with curse words, comedic moments, and somewhat cutting advice for entrepreneurs. The lineup of panellists was: And man, were they dishing out brutal truth after brutal truth that night. Here’s some of what we […]
5 insights for startups who want to hire tech talents, as shared by M’sian industry experts
With the rise of the ecommerce industry, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence (AI), more and more companies are looking for tech talents to onboard and grow their business. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the IT field or not, chances are you’ll probably need a tech support guy. But there have been countless reports stating […]
Here are 6 funding trend predictions for 2024, based on what we heard at M’sia Venture Forum
On December 6, we attended the Malaysia Venture Forum by the Malaysia Venture Capital Association (MVCA). Held at the Asia School of Business, we saw venture capitalists, angel investors, and startup founders milling about. Some familiar attendees and panelists included 500 Global’s Khailee Ng, CEO of MAVCAP Shahril Anas Hasan Aziz, Jamaludin Bujang of Gobi […]
2023 recap: A look back at 10 headlines that made waves in S’pore’s tech and business landscape
Amidst the backdrop of a global cost-of-living crisis, an expanding war in the Middle East and increasing concerns of a possible recession, Singapore’s tech and business landscape has navigated choppy waters over the past year. Some suffered, some persevered, while some have even thrived in the face of adversity. Here are some notable headlines that […]
Two paralysed Singaporeans walk again thanks to novel therapy trialled by NNI and TTSH
Sometimes things that lead to a major breakthrough are just before our eyes — only overlooked. This appears to be the gist of the story of two Singaporean men, paralyzed from the chest down, who regained motor ability in their legs following a therapy developed by trialled by National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital […]
Cool in Singapore: city’s hottest and coolest places mapped, showing up to 6.5C difference
Location, location, location, goes the mantra in real estate — and it appears to be true not only in terms of the attractiveness of your home but also how cool or hot it may be. Despite its small size, this applies to Singapore as well, where temperature differences between the hottest and coolest locations in […]
Sick of mistakenly buying fake products online? TikTok Shop has a solution for M’sians.
[This is a sponsored article with TikTok.] Raise your hand if you’ve ever mistakenly bought a counterfeit product online from an ecommerce seller posing as a genuine brand. (I know I have.) This isn’t surprising, as 8,162 cases of ecommerce fraud with losses amounting to RM57.73 million have been reported nationwide in October 2021 alone. […]
12 brands that caught our interest at Startup Week Malaysia’s Marketplace & what they do
During Startup Week Malaysia 2023 last week, we had the opportunity to sit in and engage with various industry stakeholders to learn more about the nation’s startup landscape. This included insights on how to curate a good brand story, the harsh realities of managing a large global team, and funding advice from 1337 Ventures’ CEO, […]
He started a cafe in SS19 offering a caffeine option that’s supposedly better than coffee
If we have similar social media feeds, you would’ve come across a drink called maté (pronounced mah-tay). Also called chimarrão, a key feature of this beverage is that it’s served in a cup that’s filled to the brim with tea leaves and a metal straw that gives access to the liquid under all those leaves. It’s made […]
I’VRE perfume subscription closes, users left in the dark amidst founder’s criminal allegations
[Editor’s Note: The article has been updated to reflect Christian Kwok’s latest statement] When I first wrote about perfume subscription business I’VRE, I did not expect the business to go down in less than two years. After all, perfume subscriptions were all the hype at that time, and the business claimed to have sold out […]
6 fun facts we bet you didn’t know about ZUS Coffee & the biz lessons hidden in them
On a Tuesday afternoon in early December, a throng of people buzzed about in front of the ZUS Coffee outlet at Tropicana Gardens Mall. They were all here for one thing. No, not coffee, but valuable insights from the man behind the business—Venon Tian. The event was a part of a series called Dining With […]
Good brand storytelling matters, here’s how Richard Ker does it
Recently, at Startup Week Malaysia, we got to sit in on a talk by Richard Ker. Titled “Storytelling to Grow Your Startup”, it was all about why storytelling matters and how startups can do it. For those who haven’t heard of Richard Ker, he is the founder of Richard Ker Digital, a creative marketing […]
Robot nurses and surgeons? Here’s how robotic tech is revolutionising S’pore’s healthcare
“On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?” – one of the iconic lines in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6, where Baymax, a healthcare companion robot, responded to the film’s protagonist, Hiro’s physical response by stubbing his toe. As I re-watched that scene at home, I wondered when […]
ASUS’ new productivity laptop has a large 16-inch display & a 180-degree hinge, so what?
Another year, another Vivobook release from ASUS. This isn’t their top-of-line laptop series, but it has a reputation for being a reliable device for students and working professionals who need the essentials. So, what does the Vivobook 16 bring to the table? I’ve spent about a month using it as my work laptop, and here’s […]
S’pore Job Forecast 2024: can you expect a raise? Most in-demand professions next year
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. The ending year 2023 was a bit of a mixed bag for workers in Singapore. Employment remained high, following a strong post-pandemic rebound in 2022, but salaries took the first hit in years, falling by 2.3 per cent in real terms due […]
8 restaurants in the Klang Valley offering Christmas feast takeaways this festive season
The festive tidings of Christmas are upon us and you know what that means—family gatherings, large feasts, and the joy of giving (and receiving) gifts. And I don’t know about you, but I’m someone who prefers to have such occasions in the comfort of intimate settings, like home or a private space. But with end-of-year […]
This gaming tech startup lets you turn your body into a game controller – investors include Sea Ltd
As a nascent industry, the extended reality (XR) space in Singapore is still mostly represented and dictated by global norms and trends. Large tech MNCs such as Meta, Apple, and Sony lead the race, yet, one homegrown startup — Refract Technologies — is looking to disrupt the industry through innovations in gaming and entertainment. Today, […]
How M’sian gifting startup Kravve has pivoted to help corporates achieve their ESG goals
[Written in partnership with Kravve, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] At Vulcan Post, we’re no strangers to Kravve. Back in 2017, when the brand first started, we featured the gifting brand and its marketplace platform for small businesses. Back then, the startup was mainly serving the B2C market, where customers […]
5 brands in 3 yrs: CC by Mel’s team opens a new Bukit Jalil bakery that redefines pastries
Melanie Pong is a familiar name here on Vulcan Post. She’s the “Mel” behind popular Bukit Jalil café CC by Mel, founded by her and her husband Damien Lee in 2021. In 2022, CC by Mel expanded to a bigger outlet. Later that year, they went on to open Zen by Mel, a fusion Japanese […]
Our local startup ecosystem can expect RM500mil investments via India-M’sia startup bridge
Happening on December 12 and 13 is the India-ASEAN Startup Summit (IASS), marking the launch of the “India-Malaysia Startup Bridge”. This bridge is expected to pave the way for a potential RM500 million investment into Malaysia’s startup ecosystem, with the goal to bolster bilateral economic cooperation between the two nations. Datin Malliga Subramaniam, Chair of […]
This S’porean started a confinement “hotel” for mums, newborns – prices start from $7,800/week
Located at the heart of Dunearn Road, KAI Singapore stands as a sanctuary for mothers and babies, offering a unique blend of hospitality and wellness. KAI was founded in November 2020 by Kevin Kwee, who stems from a diverse background in hospitality, retail, wholesale, and F&B. Recognising the multifaceted demands of the business, Kevin brings […]
His startup lets M’sians rent umbrellas at RM2/day & it’s already present in 100+ locations
If you live within the Klang Valley, chances are you’ve probably taken public transport at least once in your life. And if you’re someone who doesn’t own a car yet, you probably rely on it to travel. But one issue I face as a commuter sometimes is the unpredictability of our tropical weather. Especially in […]
With RM3k left in the bank, they started selling homemade sausages. Now, it’s a 7 Y/O biz.
While visiting the third edition of Artbox Malaysia last month, I came across quite a few interesting vendors. There was Hey Cyann (which offers jagua tattoos), Azloft (which offers permanent jewellery), and Theta Tarot (which does tarot reading). But one vendor that was memorable was Lily’s Homemade. Why? Because one of my friends managed to […]
Vulcan Post Wrapped: Here’s what M’sians liked reading & watching from us in 2023
In case your social media timeline hasn’t already been flooded by what your friends have been listening to all year, Spotify Wrapped is an annual campaign by the music streaming platform whereby each individual gets a personalised report on what music they liked the most. This report also includes stats like what artists they frequently […]
This Muslim-friendly seafood bar in KL is spotlighting locally grown oysters from Penang
Oyster bars aren’t really a rarity in Malaysia as we’re big lovers of seafood here. There are brands like The Fat Fish, BAIT, and Southern Rock Seafood to satisfy those cravings. But most of the oysters we typically consume are imported from places like France, Ireland, and Australia. That’s quite curious as aquatic invertebrates (like […]
Why this S’porean gave up a S$7,000 monthly salary to “slow travel” and be a digital nomad
In a world tethered to traditional career paths and societal expectations, Jane Tor has embarked on a unique journey that led her from the confines of an unfulfilling corporate career to a liberating digital nomad lifestyle. Leaving behind a career as an insurance agent, the 31-year-old defied the conventional narrative and embraced a digital nomad […]
Navigating the future of work with BenQ’s eye-care monitor – a true hybrid work companion
In the ever-evolving landscape of hybrid work, the quest for the perfect tools to amplify the work-from-home experience has become a mission for many. Having embraced the remote work lifestyle for the past three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve constantly sought ways to refine and optimise my home workspace. Recently, my […]
Meet the 4 winning M’sian EY entrepreneurs of the year & the nominees of each category
Every year, Ernst & Young (EY) recognises a lineup of entrepreneurs in its EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) awards programme. This is something that happens worldwide, and in Malaysia specifically, it has been an annual event for over two decades. The Malaysian edition of this prestigious award has seen winners such as Top Glove […]
