This new learning site offers MasterClass-like courses, but localised for a M’sian audience
If you’re as chronically online as I am, you’ve probably come across ads for MasterClass. An American online learning platform, students are guided by well-known figures in the industry like Gordon Ramsay and Dr. Jane Goodall. It’s an interesting concept as their personal experiences lend more weight to what’s taught. After all, wouldn’t you rather […]
Anya Active founder champions body positivity with size-inclusive activewear after personal struggle
In recent years, the demand for size-inclusive fashion lines has been increasing following the body positivity movement in the West, though it has yet to make a significant mark on the runway. During this year’s Autumn/Winter (AW 2023) fashion week, shows in London featured more diversity in sizes, but only a meagre seven per cent […]
New lease of life? Temasek Trust to acquire MoneyOwl to serve youths, essential and gig workers
In a move aimed at advancing financial well-being for specific community groups, Temasek Trust, the philanthropic steward and ecosystem-builder, has signed an Expression of Interest with NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited to explore the acquisition of MoneyOwl. MoneyOwl, established in 2018 as an NTUC social enterprise, combines human expertise with digital platforms to deliver comprehensive financial […]
M’sian male entrepreneurs open up about mental health & how they dealt with their struggles
When you’re facing a mental health issue, it can be tempting to sweep it under the rug. There are often many other matters in life and work that we may feel have to be prioritised instead. And if you’re someone that people look up to, like the leader of a company or an entrepreneur making […]
This M’sian successfully quit smoking with aromatherapy inhalers, so he started a biz for it
Cigarettes, and more recently vapes, have been long-standing health issues on the global stage. They’re both harmful to the body and cause lung disease, as well as cardiovascular disease. In Malaysia alone, it’s estimated that 20,000 deaths each year are attributed to smoking. But quitting can be easier said than done. In most cases, people […]
Are you a Cyborg or Centaur? Researchers define two types of workers who benefit from AI
You might be sceptical or scared of artificial intelligence (AI), but the reality is: it’s here, and it isn’t going away, no matter how much some people would want it to. It is going to take over many jobs and reduce headcount in companies, whether by replacing people outright or by making us more productive, […]
This couple built a “coconut” Airbnb in Langkawi to encourage ecotourism, here’s their story
By now, you’ve probably seen videos of Coconest across the internet. Designed to look like a coconut at sea, this overwater bungalow in Langkawi recently opened for booking a few months ago. But its appearance isn’t the only interesting thing about this stay. Coconest isn’t connected to any land, so you would actually be like […]
A digital nomad’s guide to (almost) all the coworking spaces in Klang Valley & the prices
The coworking space industry isn’t exactly looking its hottest these days, what with WeWork’s filing for bankruptcy recently. However, that’s over in the West. Coworking spaces are certainly still well and alive in Malaysia, with a number of startups in the space actively growing and being profitable. Established chains aside, the local industry is also […]
Italian brand making speakers out of supercar parts launches in M’sia, prices start at RM80K
In a Venn diagram of passions, you might find a section where audiophiles and motorsport enthusiasts overlap. This is the group that Italian audio brand iXOOST (pronounced “exhaust”) caters to, and it is this group in Malaysia that the brand hopes to reach too with its debut locally. iXOOST is brought in by VSTECS Astar […]
TCM to HDB: This 32-year-old pays homage to S’pore’s cultural heritage with viral F&B concepts
For most partygoers in Singapore, Prinsep Street stands out as a hotspot due to its bustling nightlife scene. Lined with rows of lively bars and entertainment venues, the street draws in diverse crowds, including students, professionals, and tourists. Tucked among these bars, however, is an unexpected sight — a traditional, void-deck mama shop. Its presence […]
He started selling homemade fruity fresh milk online, now has a physical cafe in Subang
The beverage scene in Malaysia is quite vibrant, with a wide array of local and international brands selling different drinks, with the bulk of them being coffee or tea-based. But hidden amongst these beverage giants is YODmilk Shop, a homegrown brand allowing customers to “Taste the ‘70s”. How? Through its handcrafted ice cream and fruity […]
SEBA created its own AI assistant to innovate its awards ceremony, here’s how it works
If you’re an entrepreneur in Malaysia, you might have heard of SEBA (SME and Entrepreneurship Business Awards), the annual initiative that spotlights and awards local SMEs and entrepreneurs. Organised by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia (YUM) and curated by Xhale Asia Sdn Bhd (Xhale), SEBA has uncovered many SMEs, enterprises, and entrepreneurs in the region, often recognising […]
Breath of fresh air: These NTU grads created wearable stethoscopes for respiratory patients
Years ago, one might have considered wearable technology to be a concept confined to Sci-fi movies. However, today, devices like Apple Watches and Fitbits have become integral parts of our daily lives, especially in the realm of healthcare. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singapore government has adopted a proactive approach to healthcare, focusing on early […]
With 92 yrs of industry expertise, this KL teahouse is innovating the drink through mixology
“Tea is the foremost drink, enjoyed across the globe. And yet, it was either stuffy and traditional or laden with sugars, flavourings, syrups and everything but tea,” the three founders of Beca Tea shared. “We wanted to bridge the gap and offer consumers something easy and modern, yet genuine. Tea where tea is the star.” […]
This M’sian biz is weaving South African culture into homes with this traditional fabric
Growing up around batik, it wasn’t something that I appreciated until I was older. Since it was such a familiar fabric to me, I never noticed its uniqueness, or perhaps I took its beauty for granted. Similarly, Asiyah, a Motswanan who has been living in Malaysia for around 15 years, didn’t really appreciate the shweshwe […]
Ant Group CEO Eric Jing sheds light on Singapore expansion and going global
Singapore’s growth as a fintech hub has drawn the attention of Ant Group, the operators of the world’s largest mobile payment platform, AliPay. The platform features over 1.3 billion users and boasts a controlling share in China’s mobile payments market. Earlier in September, Ant Group opened a new office in Singapore, which will now serve […]
CoinGecko acquires London-based NFT data startup Zash to expand cryptocurrency offerings
Malaysian crypto startup CoinGecko announced their acquisition of London-based Non-Fungible Token (NFT) data infrastructure and intelligence company Zash on Wednesday (November 22). This strategic acquisition is aimed at expanding CoinGecko’s cryptocurrency offerings, solidifying its position as the go-to data aggregator for both fungible and non-fungible tokens. Zash was first established by CEO Parit Patel and […]
Michelin-Starred chefs in M’sia dish out 6 life lessons that led them to global recognition
Last Friday (November 17, 2023), we had the opportunity to attend the Michelin Guide Ceremony Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2024. There, we got firsthand scoops of every restaurant that received the much coveted Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand, and Selected titles. But aside from that, we also had a short press conference with six of the […]
SKS Airways clears the air of financial struggle claims, CEO Dzuleira Abu Bakar resigns
On November 20, NST reported that local airline company SKS Airways was “scrambling to secure funding to pay for the delivery of 10 leased Embraer E195-E2 aircraft”, according to an aviation insider who spoke to the publication. NST has gone on to claim in another article that SKS Airways “travelled all the way to the […]
Hiring, AI, remote work: Industry leaders share how to navigate the job market jungle
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the global economy still struggling, the prospect of rising interest rates and the threat of an expanding war in the Middle East pose grave dangers. In Singapore, where the economy is projected to grow between 0.5 and 1.5 per cent this year, the global economic landscape adds […]
Empowering growth: Understanding the dynamics of embedded finance for startups and SMEs in SEA
In the digital age, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) find themselves at the crossroads of abundant opportunities, propelled by the accessibility of diverse digital payments and online marketplaces. While these avenues promise growth, the sheer volume of options can overwhelm businesses, leading to a growing need for streamlined processes. Amid this landscape, financial institutions have […]
Hyundai to make up to 30K EVs a year at new innovation centre in S’pore with help of 200 robots
South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Group officially opened the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS) today (November 21). The facility features a highly automated flexible production system, enhancing interactions for electric vehicle (EV) buyers with their vehicles and the Hyundai brand. Established as one of two innovation pillars alongside the new EV factory […]
What Budget 2024’s EV allocations mean for the M’sian industry, as told by an EV startup
[Written in partnership with ChargeSini, but the editorial team had full control over the content.] Tabled last month, the Malaysian Budget 2024 introduced several measures that are expected to boost the electric vehicle (EV) industry in Malaysia. The highlights are: This definitely sounds like good news to many EV users, especially with the continuation of […]
6 interesting brands in M’sia that champion men’s sexual health, self-care & wellness
It’s November, the month of odd challenges like No Shave November or maybe the more NSFW No Nut November. But more than these challenges, November is also Men’s Health Awareness Month, a global campaign dedicated to bringing awareness to a range of men’s health issues. In conjunction with that, we’re spotlighting brands in Malaysia that […]
S’porean Richard Teng replaces CZ as Binance CEO in a US$4.3B settlement with US authorities
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Binance’s legal saga with the US authorities appears to be coming to an end as the company has reportedly agreed to pay a massive fine of US$4.3 billion while its founder and CEO, Changpeng Zhao, stepped down yesterday — likely to avoid a possible prison […]
Tracey doubles down on sustainable designer bags with coffee leather (yes, that’s a thing)
When Johnson Tan first started Tracey, his main intention was to help his wife, Aiping, create a bag that fitted her lifestyle. Speaking to Vulcan Post in 2021, he shared that Aiping is not a messy person, but her bag didn’t reflect the same. She would spend a lot of time rummaging through her bag […]
Everything you need to know about Startup Week Malaysia that’s happening from Dec 1 to 9
Back in June, Bernama reported that Malaysia ranked 20th in the World’s Strong Starters Ranking list, based on Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023. Part of this achievement can be credited back to the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap 2021-2030 by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI). The roadmap was developed to transform Malaysia […]
We tried Malaysia’s first digital bank, the Grab-powered GXBank. Here’s what it’s like.
The Grab-backed GXBank has officially launched its beta digital banking app. 20,000 Malaysians have been selected to be beta users of the app, and we happen to be amongst these early adopters, having been given access to it during a media demonstration. So, if you’re not one of the 20,000 users but want to […]
Meet this M’sian who’s making a living out of a waste metal art “playground” in Klang
Like most people, I like to scroll through Instagram in my free time. It’s how I keep up with loved ones, explore new eateries to try, and find out about the latest events. But more often than not, I’d come across a new lead that I’m interested to cover. This was how I stumbled upon […]
Singapore launches seamless cross-border payment systems with Malaysia and Indonesia
Ever since the pandemic, the demand for digital payments has grown rapidly. Initially, this was spurred by physical distancing rules, which contributed to the growth of online shopping and cashless payments. Since then, however, consumers and merchants alike have grown used to these new means of transaction. Southeast Asia, in particular, is leading the way […]
