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 […]
From local to global: Startup execs share insights on international expansion and innovation
Singapore has been establishing itself as a startup hub by fostering a conducive environment through various organisations, hosting events, and providing resources to local startups aiming for accelerated growth. An example of such initiatives is the annual Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH 2023). At SWITCH 2023, business leaders from Singapore-based startups took part […]
The Sony Inzone Buds offer gamers 12 hours of playback time & better comfort, so what?
Earlier this year, I bought the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones to level up my gaming experience. Unfortunately, I’ve not used it very much since then, because it usually starts feeling too heavy a few hours into use, hurting the top of my head. (When I first reviewed them, I apparently didn’t feel that way, so […]
Who goes to jail if AI breaks the law? GPT-4 bot engaged in insider trading, lied when asked
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. In spite of many opportunities, artificial intelligence (AI) is causing many headaches as well, and not only among the people it is pushing out of work. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that our “smart” software is doing what it is supposed to and […]
This new 45,000 sq ft kindergarten in Cyberjaya is bringing Finnish education to Malaysia
A new preschool has landed in Malaysia with a 45,000 sq ft property in Cyberjaya. HEI Schools is a Finnish preschool and kindergarten brand, featuring a curriculum that’s researched by the University of Helsinki, involving rigorous teacher training by Finnish educators and Nordic-designed learning spaces. Bringing HEI Schools to Malaysia is Axon Education Sdn Bhd […]
He was about to give up on his fresh pie biz 11 yrs ago, now he has 5 outlets in S’wak
Born in Sibu, Sarawak, John Sim’s first encounter with pastries was when he visited Kuala Lumpur with his family when he was still in primary school. He recalls encountering various mouthwatering pastries on the shelves of Délifrance, and even remembers eating 30 small croissants at one time. Growing up, John’s love for pastries only seemed […]
Every new Michelin-recognised M’sian eatery in 2024, and our first 2-Starred restaurant
Last year, the Michelin Guide had debuted in Malaysia, giving recognition to food destinations in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. On November 17, 2023, the Guide has released its second Malaysian edition. Here are all the restaurants named by the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2024, including Michelin Starred, Bib Gourmand, and Selected establishments. A […]
What does it take to be in the top 1%? Peak XV’s MD on building a multi-generational company
Did you know that only 1.3 per cent of all public listed companies across the globe generate 90 per cent of the world’s wealth? An even smaller percentage — 0.7 per cent, in fact — of these 62,000 companies manage to generate 70 per cent of this wealth. This statistic becomes even steeper when it […]
Ravi Menon shares leadership lessons from his tenure as MAS’ longest-serving chief
Earlier in September, Ravi Menon, the Managing Director (MD) of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), announced his intention to retire at the end of 2023. This will mark the end of a 13-year-long tenure, making Menon the longest-serving chief which the MAS has seen to date. During his time as MD, Menon has led […]
These M’sians revamped their 6 Y/O toothpaste brand to approach oral care like skincare
Ida Farini Binti Othman is no stranger to entrepreneurship. Aside from 15 years of experience in marketing and promotions within the media and broadcasting industry, the woman also boasts 10 years of experience as a business owner of several types of businesses. This includes a health and wellness spa by the name of Jentayu Spa […]
Cult Creative shuts down its job portal app, here’s what’s next for the M’sian platform
If you’re a young creative in Malaysia that has been job-seeking in the past couple of years, chances are you’ve heard of or even used Cult Creative. The startup has been featured on Vulcan Post in its earlier days. At the time, it had launched as a job marketplace, specialising in roles for creatives, as […]
“Cryptocurrencies have failed the test of digital money”: MAS’ MD Ravi Menon on the future of fintech
In recent years, digital money has made a strong case for its role in the future of finance. It comes with benefits such as seamless cross-border transactions, reduced costs, and ease of access to financial systems. However, digital money can take on a number of different forms and not all of them are made equal. […]
Loob Holding’s RM10mil plant will export M’sian pearls to the world… boba pearls, that is
Loob Holding, the parent company behind Tealive, announced today that it has successfully made a strategic move upstream with the commissioning of a RM10 million tapioca pearl plant in Malaysia. In its press release, Loob Holding’s founder, Bryan Loo, stated that this milestone underscored the company’s vision and commitment to transforming and innovating the beverage […]
GSC’s new boutique cinema in Mont Kiara has a bar & karaoke machine, here’s our experience there
A new boutique cinema by GSC has launched last week in Mont Kiara, created in partnership with Alliance Bank. We had the honour of visiting the space to check it out ourselves last week. Located on the third floor of 163 Retail Park, Velvet is a retro-themed cinema that’s home to three cosy cinema halls […]
6 yrs in, this Penang toy biz expanded to sell self-designed figurines for a niche market
When someone tells their manager that they won’t be pursuing promotions anymore, you might think that they just aren’t ambitious enough. In the case of Ethan Tang, the founder of local one-stop toy shop Toypanic, it’s actually the complete opposite. Hailing from Penang, Ethan graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and subsequently […]
SFF 2023: President Tharman talks about job disruption in the age of AI in a fireside chat
There’s no denying that technology has drastically impacted the way we live. Concepts that were once science fiction are now becoming a reality with the emergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies, which are reshaping economies and pushing the frontiers of the global digital economy, bring about tremendous potential, yet, they also […]
How the team behind Artbox M’sia adapted to new customer demands after a 4-year hiatus
After a four-year hiatus, Artbox Malaysia returns to Sunway Pyramid’s outdoor car park with an “Arcadia” theme. Its press release stated that this specially curated third edition celebrates the infinite variety of the arts. Happening on two consecutive weekends (November 10 to 12, 2023 and November 17 to 19, 2023), visitors can enjoy the space […]
SFF 2023: IMF’s MD unveils the future of digital finance with CBDCs and cross-border platforms
The Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) is back in full swing, running from November 15 to November 17 at the Singapore Expo. To inaugurate this year’s festival, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), delivered a keynote address this morning (November 15) focusing on the advancements in the international digital finance sector. Georgieva […]
Here are 6 local brands that deliver freshly brewed bird’s nest around the Klang Valley
Around 2021, during the height of the pandemic, when health and wellness had been top-of-mind for many Malaysians, I started seeing various freshly boiled bird’s nest brands on my timeline. It’s good for health and great for gifting all year round, so it made sense that these brands mushroomed during COVID-19. Vulcan Post even featured […]
This Kelantan biz began with innovative prayer mats, now it’s a 5 Y/O Muslim lifestyle brand
With Malaysia home to a large Muslim population, it’s common to see many brands offering products catered to the Muslim lifestyle. This could be in the form of modest clothing or halal food and beverages. Over the years, these products have been developed to keep up with the needs and times of the people. Whether […]
It’s the end of the road for Shopee: Sea has to reinvent the app or accept costly stagnation
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed below belong solely to the author and do not constitute financial advice. Author has no stake in Sea Ltd. or any competing companies. For the third time in 2023, Sea’s stock cratered following disappointing quarterly results, despite the fact that it’s only the first time in a year that the company has […]
Grab launches new digital bank, here are 6 features available to 20k M’sian beta users
In April 2022, Bank Negara Malaysia announced the five consortiums that will be given the digital banking licence in Malaysia. For those who don’t know, digital banking is different from just online banking. Digital banks involve the digitalisation of all traditional banking products and processes, meaning there are no physical brick-and-mortar branches to visit. […]
M’sian coworking space startups share what WeWork’s bankruptcy means for the local scene
On November 6, American coworking giant WeWork filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing US$18.6 billion’s worth of debt. It had once been among the most valuable startups in the United States and even the world, with a valuation of US$47 billion. In 2019, though, during an attempt to go public, the company found itself […]
This “house” in Pahang was created to build up the state’s tech startup ecosystem
Globally, the startup industry has pioneered some of the most innovative technologies. Aside from creating more job opportunities, these startups also bring new competitive dynamics to the economic field. Which is why there’s a growing emphasis on building a robust startup ecosystem in Malaysia. And also why the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) […]
GSC launches retro-themed boutique cinema in Mont Kiara, tickets start at RM100 per pax
On November 9, 2023, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) officially launched its new boutique cinema called Velvet at Retail Park 163, Mont Kiara. Created in partnership with Alliance Bank, Velvet reimagines retro cinematic experiences, complete with vibrant F&B and lifestyle offerings. Drawing inspiration from the 60s, the decor in Velvet is an eclectic combination of retro […]
In a challenge to game developers, AI bots design and code Angry Birds clone in just 10 hours
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author. Earlier this year, I covered how ChatGPT designed a simple, producible semiconductor chip, following just natural language instructions in English, and how a group of Chinese and American researchers created an entire software development company by assigning ChatGPT different roles, which was able to complete […]
Meet the M’sian agritech biz that AEON partnered with to open vertical farms in its malls
There’s a reason why agriculture remains as one of the most important industries in any country. According to the World Bank, it’s crucial to a nation’s economic growth, accounting for 4% of global gross domestic product (GDP). In some developing countries, it can even go as high as accounting for more than 25% of a […]
Over 150 outlets and counting: Fore Coffee CEO on expanding to S’pore, the “CBD of SEA”
Since its launch in 2018, Fore Coffee has emerged as a prominent player in Indonesia’s coffee scene, marked by its dedication to both quality and innovation. The name “Fore”, derived from the word “forest”, reflects the coffee chain’s aspiration to grow rapidly and reach new heights. True to its name, Fore Coffee has made its […]
foodpanda M’sia has created a new bag for riders that doubles as mobile digital billboards
In September 2022, foodpanda had ventured into the adtech (advertising technology) space by launching panda ads in 11 markets across Asia, including Malaysia. Now, foodpanda Malaysia is taking panda ads one step further with the launch of its new Smart Rider Bags, a November 9 release stated. Essentially, Smart Rider Bags serve as […]
