Open For Business
Episodes
Okapi Solar - Breaking Barriers to Solar Panels on Your Roof?
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can homeowners make the switch to solar energy without breaking the bank?Founded in 2022, Okapi Solar is on a mission to make solar power more acc...
From 9-to-5 to Doughnut Balls: LOOKOO's Sweet Escape Story
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to Harith Aqil, the founder of LOOKOO, a local F&B startup that’s set to change how we think about doughnuts with their unique twist—d...
Paper vs. Pixels: How Bootstrapped Mossery is Navigating a Digital-First World
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a world dominated by smartphones and tablets, is there still room for a premium stationery and notebook brand?As Mossery celebrates its 10th annive...
From Peas to Power
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2015 by a group of friends united by a passion for fitness and a commitment to healthy living, Soluxe Nutrition emerged from a shared desir...
Geomax’s Rubber Revolution? Turning Rejected Gloves into Footwear
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With his 20 years of experience in the rubber industry, Steven founded Geomax Rubber in 2018 with the aim to revolutionise the footwear industry by up...
ReU Living: Redefining Senior Living and Post-Op Care
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ReU Living builds communities for senior living and post-hospitalization recovery. It's a joint venture between eldercare solutions provider Meaningfu...
Putting A Modern Twist on Traditional Keropok Lekor
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Yeo Kwong Jin, Founder at Fiskor, a contemporary Malaysian cracker brand which uses cutting edge technology in the production of lekor c...
Connecting Arts and Audiences: Inside CloudJoi’s Ticketing and Streaming Platform
04 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
CloudJoi is a ticketing service, streaming platform, and community hub designed for the performing arts. Founded in 2020 as CloudTheatre, the company ...
Eco-Friendly Living with Tiny Houses
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We hear from Big Tiny, a property development company transforming the dream of serene, nature-immersed living into a reality. Founded by Jeff Yeo and...
Paywatch's Ambitious Plan: New Era of Financial Access for the Underbanked?
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paywatch is a financial services company that provides earned wage access (EWA) services to help employees get banked, receive credit, and improve the...
Infinity8: Beyond Coworking Spaces
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2017 with the aim to redefine workspaces, Infinity8 today offers dynamic coworking environments that cater to both local and international ...
Cleve.ai - Personal Branding Made Easy
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we speak with Ashvin Praveen, Co-founder and CEO of Cleve.ai. They're an AI-powered content workspace for creators to create, get inspired, and...
How Mental Wellness Platform PlusVibes Found Its Groove
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Open for Business, we dive into the world of mental wellness with Madiha Fuad, Founder and CEO of PlusVibes. Launched in 2020 durin...
Engage Life - Gamifying Wellness Solutions
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Paresh Subramaniyam, Founder and CEO of Engage Life, a wellness company offering holistic health and well-being solutions for individual...
From 100 Hours to 5 Minutes: How NexLaw.ai is Revolutionising Legal Prep
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"The stress. The quantum of stress. To prepare a case that you need to do the submissions the next day, (that can take) 15-16 hours. You ask the young...
Archers Assemble: Team Building with a Twist
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you feel when you hear the phrase team building? When your company tells you that you are going on an offsite team building weekend, do you moa...
Bakin Love’s Ambition to Support F&B With Premixes
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Open for Business, we speak with Dalia Alkatiri, Founder and Managing Director of Bakin Love, a Malaysian-based baking business tha...
redBus Maps Malaysia’s Future Travel Routes
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, Malaysia's digital economy has undergone a remarkable transformation, fundamentally reshaping how consumers interact with businesses ...
Grobrix, A Hobby That Snowballed: Why This Founder Left Finance for Farming
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With their patented modular edible hydroponic green walls, Grobrix is on a mission to reconnect urban communities with the source of their food, promo...
Amplifying Expense Management with Merchantrade Asia
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Open for Business, we discuss the evolution of expense management platforms in Malaysia with Ivan Alias, Deputy Chief Commercial Of...
How Novi Health Is Tackling the Rise in Non-Communicable Disease
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Among some of the key findings from Malaysia’s National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 includes the fact that 15% of adults in Malaysia have diabe...
Driving Digitalisation: How POMEN Supports Workshops and Corporate Fleets
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2018, POMEN has moved from being a B2C platform to a B2B one, now helping connect companies like PETRONAS and Maxis with workshops to help ...
Pick A Pickle!
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia's cuisine is a captivating blend of flavours reflecting the country's rich cultural diversity. With influences from Malay, Chinese, Indian, a...
From Zero to RM2 Million: Notti’s 1-Year Journey Elevating Kibble
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in April 2023, Notti Pet Food is a local pet food brand that wants to elevate pet kibble and recently secured RM2.4 million in seed funding fr...
Flying Into the Future of Drones
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Aonic was born as a commercial drone solutions provider for enterprises looking to modernise their operation workflow. While they are no stranger to t...
Sukha Golden: Making Senior Living Communities More Accessible and Affordable?
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By 2030, Malaysia is expected to transition into an ageing society, with individuals above age 60 and older to make up 15% of the population, and this...
Why Junaid Wahedna Left Wall Street to Revolutionise Islamic Finance: The Story Behind Wahed
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leaving Wall Street to revolutionize Islamic finance, solo founder Junaid Wahedna raised $82 million in his mission to eliminate interest from Muslim ...
CHN to Businesses: Don’t Buy Laptops, Subscribe Instead
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Established in 2012, Complete Human Network helps companies deal with their electronic equipment needs, allowing enterprises to optimise their IT budg...
Evlos: AI-Powered Computer Vision for Better Manufacturing
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Evlos is an artificial intelligence (AI) company that provides AI-powered computer vision solutions to manufacturers all over Malaysia.Announced last ...
Crack the Code: Pain-Free Living with Chiropractic Care
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we speak with Dr. Matt Kan, the Founder of Chiropractic First Group. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Kan has been advocating for chirop...
How Learning Platform ReSkills Reached Profitability Charging $1 A Month
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From pandemic project to Nasdaq listing later this year, Jin Tan started ReSkills back in 2020 as an online educational portal with the aim of making ...
Making Every Bandage Count
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the bustling landscape of healthcare innovation, one company is making waves with its products and with a purpose. Rightfully sounding like a compa...
BidMyAsset: Innovating Industrial Asset Disposal with Sustainability in Mind?
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
BidMyAsset is a Malaysian-based auction platform for second-hand and manufacturing machinery and equipment, and while it may have been founded in 2022...
Seedflex: Frictionless and Dynamic Credit for Cashless Merchants
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2023, Seedflex raised seed funding from 500 Global in Q4 last year to launch its shariah-compliant digital financing solution “Pay-As-You...
FPA’s Journey Back into the Courts
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Jeremy Dev, Founder at Far Post Academy, a Malaysian based startup that offers futsal lessons for kids aged 4 years and above.They offer...
Transforming Furniture Shopping with Neo Livin
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Ann Sze Pang and Tan Jin Xue, Co-Founders of Neo Livin, a tech-driven DTC furniture platform changing the way people shop for furniture....
Serial Founder Robin Chase: Don’t Raise Venture Funding
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"If you can build your company without raising money, do it because then you're in control. There's this idea that you're really cool if you've got so...
How Automotive Synergy Navigated Through ‘Kodak Level’ Disruption
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“My mum said to me, stop playing with cars or turn it into a business. So I turned it into a business.”Established in 2004, Automotive Synergy sta...
The Tapping Tapir
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Ivan Lee, Co-Founder of The Tapping Tapir, a Malaysian beverage company known for its unique range of artisanal sodas made from natural ...
Solaroo Systems: Behind Pekat Group’s Residential Push
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Solaroo is a wholly owned subsidiary under Pekat Group Bhd that deals in smaller scale solar photovoltaic systems for residential, commercial and indu...
Transforming Digital Experiences with CONTEN.T
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with the founders of CONTEN.T, an award-winning BrandTech company specialising in creating advanced digital experiences using first-party dat...
From Bazaars to Boutiques: The Rise of Kapten Batik’s 8-Figure Business
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From selling 20 shirts at a free night bazaar to hitting 8-figures in revenue in 2022 with aims to hit RM50 million in 3 years time, on this edition o...
Low-Code Pioneers
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Orangeleaf Consultancy, founded by Ellice and Tim Hendricks, is changing Malaysia’s tech industry with their low-code platform expertise. Starting a...
Store N Go: Leveraging TikTok Shop To Power Growth
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2018, Store N Go provides warehousing services and tailored product handling, storage, packaging materials, kitting services, and distribut...
Writing Success: TPE’s Whiteboard Journey
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re joined by Toh Kean Wee, the Founder and Managing Director of TPE, one of the largest whiteboard and writing instrument manufacturers in Malays...
Eutech’s 20 Year Journey in Smart Property Management
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Lakshita Wijerathne, CEO at Eutech Cybernetic, a Smart Technology solutions provider that owns Ivi...
Sometime: From Frustration to Malaysian Fashion Brand
19 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“To our surprise, we realised probably 6 or 7 out of 10 customers that walked in didn't really know us, (before that,) we thought we were famous. Th...
Scanning for Success
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, Malaysia has been faced with a rising student dropout rate, with over 14,506 students leaving school prematurely in 2023 alone. That’...
Bootstrapped and Profitable Patriot Biotech’s Genomic Ambitions
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2022, Patriot Biotech describes itself as a group of scientists, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs who want to bring molecular-based ...
How Uber Inspired TheLorry’s Modernisation of ‘Lori Sewa’
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“If there is a time to start a business, it is now, while we’re young.”A lunch between co-workers in their mid-20s in 2014 turned into a startup...
Revolutionising Manufacturing with Projet Technology
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Open For Business, we venture into the advanced field of technology, focusing on engineering, manufacturing and product development...
Why 2Stallions Co-Founder Avoided Engineering and Built a Digital Marketing Firm Instead
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we speak with Dhawal Shah, Regional Managing Director and Co-founder of 2Stallions, a boutique digital marketing agency with headquar...
Expanding Horizons: IWG Malaysia's New Workspace Launches
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We explore IWG Malaysia's ambitious expansion as they gear up to launch four new workspaces in the country. Two of these new centres will be situated ...
Tokpork’s 6 Year Journey, KL Foodie Spark, and Expansion Plans
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“And I took that personally”. That was how the eccentric founder of Tokpork, Phon Yung Hou, felt when he was making RM300 a day in sales which pal...
Capsphere: Helping SMEs Leverage Assets for Financing
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Connecting SMEs to investors, Capsphere claims that it sets itself apart from other similar players because each loan is asset-backed, or secured by a...
Embracing Resilience in Ethical Beauty
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Transitioning from corporate careers in the United States of America to building a transformative business here in Malaysia, Carmen Khor and Jeremy An...
KL Tech City: From Advisory Business to Venture Studio
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
KL Tech City is a venture studio that predominantly focuses on providing early stage capital for emerging technologies like Blockchain, Fintech, EV, C...
E-Commerce Success: The PTT Outdoor Blueprint
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Back in 2016, the e-commerce scene was just beginning to harness the full potential of online and mobile commerce, and social media marketing. Online ...
Disruptive Doctors: Connecting & Upskilling Forward-Thinking Doctors
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Like many founders, entrepreneurship wasn’t in the plans for Selina – she always wanted to become a doctor, and the dream was to become an Intensi...
Lean Partner - 10 Years Of Operational Excellence
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, we speak with Manickavasagam Palaniandy, Founder of Lean Partner–they’re a boutique consulting firm that specialises in Agile O...
Bateriku’s 10 Year Journey to RM95m Business
28 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2014, Bateriku.com wants to list in 2027, hit revenue of RM170 million in 2024, and continue to expand its margins and profitability.On thi...
Rollti: Reshaping Malaysia’s Beloved Roti Canai
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Open For Business, we speak with Keith Loh, CEO of Rollti, a local startup that runs a grab-and-go concept restaurant that offers a fresh tak...
18 Years of Easybook: From Pet Project to RM300 Million Business
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2006, Easybook.com started off as a platform that sold bus tickets in Malaysia and Singapore but has since grown operations regionally. Las...
Looking to Get Hyred?
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's rapidly evolving job market, traditional methods of securing part-time work, such as word-of-mouth referrals or classified ads, are becomin...
OpenAcademy: MasterClass Meets YouTube With a Localised Twist
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
OpenAcademy is the education arm of marketing-tech consultancy OpenMinds, and is trying to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world ski...
Modernising Organic Waste Management With BioLoop
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, we take a look at some of the innovative strides in sustainable waste management with Mah Jun Kit, Founder and CEO of BioLoop, a pi...
From Tealive to The Body Shop, Web Bytes’ 17 Years of Empowering Retail and F&B
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2007, Web Bytes is a software development company that specialises in software solutions for the retail and food and beverage (F&B) ind...
14 Years of Wanderlust Around the World
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Fashion retail is not a Silicon Valley story”.Jenn’s Wanderlust + Co journey began back in 2010 in her apartment in Melbourne, powered by a Wor...
Bomb Battle: A Twist to Escape Room
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While technological advancements and immersive multiplayer experiences make gaming a popular leisure activity, excessive screen time poses risks to ch...
Finalyst: Trying to Help Agents Improve Conversion and Relationship Management
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysian startup Finalyst wants to help financial planners, insurance agents, and unit trust consultants improve sales conversions and better manage ...
A Glance Into The Future Of Business
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, we’re diving into the realm of Extended Reality (XR) with Theyventhiran Nadarajah, CEO, & Jayagaren Paramasivam, CTO, Teczo S...
Shopmatic’s Drive to Make E-Commerce Easy for Merchants
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shopmatic is a global e-commerce platform that empowers merchants to build and grow their businesses online. The company was acquired by global embedd...
Hard Facts on Hard Hats
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Open For Business, we dive into an increasingly crucial topic within the bustling construction sector of Malaysia— safety on the ...
Carching: Turning KM in RM and Cars into Billboards
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2022, this Malaysian startup wants to help brands connect with their audience by transforming everyday vehicles into mobile billboards, whi...
Blockchain-powered Certiify Solutions Vs Fake Certifications
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s fast-paced world, the dark shadow of fake certifications looms large, threatening not just the credibility of individuals but also the ve...
Scents For Every Soul
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Fadz Subari about how childhood memories led him to establish a homegrown aromacare brand celebrated for its artisanal scents, crafted f...
From Selling Insurance to Building a Mr. Money TV Media Empire
31 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After leaving a lucrative career selling insurance policies, Peter took a leap into the world of new media in late 2018 and started Mr. Money TV. The ...
Casting Made Easy
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Isaac Kon, the CEO and Founder, as well as Wong Weng Khing, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Co-...
VIDANEX: Leveraging AI to Detect and Diagnose Cancer
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded back in November 2023, VIDANEX is the first spin-off company of IMU (also formerly known as International Medical University), with a mission ...
Home Cooked Meals For Your Pets
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Open For Business, we speak with Keith Lester Tang, the Founder of Streetpaw, a Malaysian based company that sells pet meals, bone broths and...
Why Michele Ferrario Built Stashaway Despite 124 Investor Rejections
24 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ex-Zalora CEO, Michele Ferrario did not want to become an entrepreneur but had a need that nobody could provide for here in the region. Despite 124 pr...
From Tapau Boxes to Trophies
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Natureloop is a KL-based company that specialises in designing and manufacturing products made from plastic waste. Instead of being discarded, Naturel...
Can The Rainmakers Improve Accessibility in Property Investing?
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Rainmakers wants to make property investing more accessible to retail investors, helping them get a fractional slice of property ownership without...
Parcel Daily: Helping E-commerce Businesses Settle Shipping
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2017, Parcel Daily is a courier aggregator platform that helps optimise courier shipping cost and improve the shipping experience by connec...
From Comfort to Class
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since their establishment in 2017, TTRacing is a gaming chair company that provides high-quality ergonomic gaming chairs and has been rapidly expandin...
Incite Innovations' IPO Trajectory, Powered by Fintech, Retailtech, and F&B
17 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Formerly known as Incite Foodtech, Incite Innovations Group was founded in 2020 and has seen M&A and corporate restructuring over the last few yea...
How A Passion For Yoga Turned Into A Business Venture
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, we spoke with Caleen Caseryn Chua, Founder of Enliven Women, the first ever transformation event designed to uplift the spirits of ...
From A Pitch Deck To Malaysia’s Largest Smart Device Repair Company
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With a bootstraped investment of RM868,000 since its establishment in 2019, Secondlifeasia, Malaysia’s largest smart device repair company, records ...
Pressures and Ambitions of Malacca Securities’ Third-Gen Leader
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brokerage firm Malacca Securities was founded just over 60 years ago and Chia Wei got involved with the business back in 2013 after returning from the...
A Blend of Art, Business, and Passion
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Behind the common misconception, pole dancing is generally known for its freedom of expressing feelings through the art of dancing that has evolved ov...
Earth Heir’s Next Chapter
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where sustainability and social impact are top of mind of consumer consciousness, Earth Heir stands out as a beacon of ethical practice and...
Rejina Rahim: From Nomura Asset Management MD to Starting Wahine Capital to Financially Empower Women
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After almost 3 decades in the corporate world, specifically within the capital markets and asset management sphere, Rejina Rahim left her job as the M...
MADCash’s Long Term Data Play, Using 0% Microlending to Empower Women Entrepreneurs, and Formalising the Business Model
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in April 2020, MADCash stands for Multiply, Assist, Donate Cash and the startup funds and grows unbanked and underbanked women entrepreneurs, ...
Mints with a Turmeric Twist
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine indulging in the ancient golden goodness of turmeric without the worry of sugar or stains—Haldy has made this a reality. Haldy launched a gr...
From LinkedIn For Creatives to Connecting Brands with Creators, Cult Creative’s Origins, Pivot, and Fintech Future
03 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2020, Cult Creative started as a networking platform for creative professionals with a stated mission to redefine content creation and fost...
Putting With Technology
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the world of sports, golf carries a common misconception of exclusivity and barriers to entry compared to most other sports that we are familiar wi...
PolicyStreet's Pivot From Marketplace to Co-Underwriting Customised Products; Now Waiting On DITO
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in January 2017 by Yen Ming, Wilson Beh and Winnie Chua, PolicyStreet began helping consumers and businesses choose and purchase insurance pol...
Carpedia’s 9 Year Journey From Car Rental Service to Logistic Gig Talent Platform
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Founded in 2015, Carpedia is a gig talent platform for logistic players which aims to play a role as a reliable provider of delivery manpower resource...
Playing the AI Long Game
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s world, it’s hard to oversee how fast technology has grown in various businesses and now, it has become a necessity for companies to int...
Pacific Senior Living’s Malaysian Entry And Ambitions Ahead
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By 2030, Malaysia is expected to transition into an ageing society, with individuals above age 60 and older to make up 15% of the population - Pacific...