STARTUP VILLAGE
A high-energy platform for emerging founders, innovators, and ecosystem enablers to showcase scalable tech solutions that address real-world digital and sustainability challenges.
Track Overview
A high-energy platform for emerging founders, innovators, and ecosystem enablers to showcase scalable tech solutions that address real-world digital and sustainability challenges.
Key Topics
Key topics will be listed here.
Track Sessions
Discover the sessions and presentations in this track
FIRESIDE CHAT: TECH FOR IMPACT – INNOVATION THAT SERVES, NOT JUST SCALES
Innovation is more than just chasing scale—it is about creating solutions that serve real needs. This session brings together a researcher, a spin-off, and an accelerator partner to share perspectives on how technology can be shaped into meaningful impact for communities, industries, and society.
SHARING SESSION: MALAYSIA’S ECOSYSTEM LANDSCAPE – CRADLE’S ROLE IN IGNITING DEVELOPMENT
Malaysia’s startup ecosystem has evolved into one of the most vibrant in Southeast Asia, supported by strong government commitment, strategic policies, and collaborative public-private initiatives. Positioned under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd. (Cradle) serves as the focal-point agency and Malaysia Single Window in driving early-stage startup growth and innovation.
FIRESIDE CHAT: BUILDING A RESILIENT STARTUP FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL
This session explores how founders can establish themselves as local champions before scaling onto the international stage. The session highlights the importance of understanding one’s community, refining the business model, and building a solid foundation through local validation and partnerships.
PANEL SESSION: ALL MONEY ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL
Not all capital is alike. This session explores the pros and cons of different funding sources — from grants and crowdfunding to angels, VCs, and PEs. Panellists will share how the right type of money shapes growth, governance, and sustainability for startups in Sarawak and ASEAN.
LAUNCH OF STARTUP VIILLAGE
Startup Village will be officially launched by YB Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development. Created as a dedicated platform for founders, innovators, and ecosystem partners, Startup Village showcases Sarawak’s growing startup scene while fostering collaboration, visibility, and new opportunities for sustainable growth.
PANEL SESSION: CROSS-BORDER ECHOES – PROPAGATING INNOVATION IN ASEAN STARTUPS
Propagating Innovation in ASEAN Startups convenes representatives from the business development sector and industry partners across the region. Panellists will examine the digital startup landscape in their respective countries, highlighting key players, investor dynamics, support programs, and opportunities to collaborate. The session will also explore the challenges faced and the strategies adopted to foster growth within their ecosystems.
SHARING SESSION: DE RANTAU SARAWAK
The DE Rantau Sarawak Pass, offered under the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme (SDRP), provides digital freelancers and remote professionals with a Professional Visit Pass (PvP) to live and work in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia for up to 12 months, with the option to renew for another year. The initiative positions Sarawak as an emerging hub for digital nomads, fostering innovation, collaboration, and contributing to the state’s digital economy. Remote professionals will also become part of a growing ecosystem that actively supports knowledge-sharing and creative partnerships.
MASTERCLASS: CONFOUNDING AI – CINEMATIC STORYTELLING FOR FILM & ANIMATION
This session introduces filmmakers, writers, storyboardists, directors, actors, production designers, art directors, editors, and sound designers to the language of cinema. Explore how visuals, sound, symbols, and design principles come together in a director’s art direction to craft powerful stories. Learn the rules and conventions of cinematic storytelling that remain uniquely human, beyond what AI can replicate.
FIRESIDE CHAT: POST-MORTEM TO MOMENTUM – REBUILDING AFTER FAILURE
Rebuilding After Failure brings together three panelists from diverse industries to share their journeys of resilience. This session explores how startups that faced early failures or tough setbacks managed to adapt, rebuild, and rise stronger. Gain practical insights on turning challenges into opportunities and sustaining growth after adversity
PANEL SESSION: SEHEBAT CATALYST
A panel discussion featuring three alumni from the inaugural SEHebat Catalyst cohort. They will share their 12-month journey of managing a business while driving social impact. The session will explore their key experiences, lessons learned, effective strategies, and the motivation that sustains their endeavours.
PANEL SESSION: CROWDFUNDING THE CARBON NEUTRAL FUTURE – FUNDING GREEN-TECH STARTUPS IN THE AI & GREEN EVOLUTION
This panel session explores how crowdfunding serves as a catalyst for financing green-tech startups at the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability. The discussion highlights how alternative capital mechanisms empower innovation within the Green Evolution, while strengthening community resilience by enabling public participation in building a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.
TIKTOK SHOP LIVE SELLING COMPETITION LAUNCH CEREMONY
The Sarawak Digital Mall, a joint initiative by the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) and SDEC in collaboration with TikTok Shop, enters its final phase with the Live Selling Competition. Launched in 2024 to accelerate e-Commerce adoption among Sarawak MSMEs through training, incentives, and digital campaigns, the programme now brings 100 selected sellers into livestream knockout rounds, culminating in a grand finale at Kuching Waterfront this December. The launch will be officiated by YB Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment.
Track Speakers
Meet the experts presenting in this track
Jonah Lau
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Lim
Group CEO
Dr Hajah Azilawati binti Banchit
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Jonathan Then Sien Phang
Chief Research Officer
Mohd Noor Hisham Bin Abdul Bari
Assistant Vice President Ecosystem Development
Ken Wong
Investment Manager
Eizzar Supiar
Head of Grant Evaluation Unit
Muhammad Hafez Bin Mohd Azhar
Head, Group Legal & Governance
Khairool Adzelan bin Aman
Acting Head of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Department
Dr. Ayappa V. Subramaniam
Assistant Manager, Tech Entrepreneurship & Investment
Lai Kai Bin
Head of ECF
Dato Patrick Liew
Chairman
Juliana Jan
Senior Vice President, Grant & Investment
Phuong Le
Program Manager
Adzimin Amin
Business Development Lead
Uliantie Binti Sarjuni
Acting CEO
Khairul Afiq Bin Othman
Executive, Digital Residency Partnership
Hassan Bin Abd Muthalib
Writer/Film Critic
Desmond Chin Chung Choon
Co-founder & CTO
Lunnie Gan
Founder & Director
Alexandra Nastassia
General Manager (East Malaysia)
Ang Tse Chwan
Managing Director
Hamidah Binti Mokhtar
Founder
Anis Wahida Binti Amran
CEO & Co-Founder
Amelia Tan
Co-Founder @ CEO
Ahmad Azuar Zainuddin
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Iswadi Jauhari
Founder & CEO
Ng Sai Kit
Managing Partner
Peter Wee Boon Kean
President
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