Open For Business

Why is this Silicon Valley VC bullish on Southeast Asian tech companies, despite faltering IPOs, blowups, and a scarcity of exits?Launched in 2024, Raisewell Ventures has raised over $35 million to invest in AI, climate, and manufacturing tech, with a longer term aim to cross-pollinate between Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia.With 14 deals already completed, Founder and Managing Partner Jeep Kline joins us to share her unique strategy. She explains why she's bullish on this region, why deep tech requires 12-15 year "patient capital", and much more.We discuss:Why SEA tech needs to cross-pollinate with Silicon Valley.Why deep tech and "hard tech" require 12-15 year "patient capital".The 3 pillars (academia, capital, government) needed to build a tech economy.A new approach to solving Southeast Asia's chronic exit problem.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a dramatic pivot from a failed Bitcoin startup at Y Combinator, Xendit has since raised over US$500 million since 2015, growing into a payments unicorn.Founder and CEO Moses Lo joins us to share his 10-year journey, detailing their "simplicity, speed, and service" competitive edge, their expansion into a financing business, and the lessons learned from navigating Southeast Asia's fragmented markets.We discuss:The early pivots from Bitcoin remittance to a payments powerhouse.Their "simplicity, speed, and service" strategy for winning in fragmented markets.The expansion into financing, underwriting loans against payment flows.Their strategic expansion from Southeast Asia into Latin America.For founders and leaders in the tech space, this is a deep dive into navigating pivots, scaling in Southeast Asia, and tackling new markets.Note: The US$70 billion annual payment processing figure cited in this episode was reported by Bloomberg, as republished by The Edge Malaysia on 24 October 2025 here. It looks to be the main source of this figure.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started as a way for game publishers to escape the ‘app tax’ has evolved into a global monetisation and distribution platform. Fresh from acquiring its European counterpart Recharge, Coda now processes nearly $2 billion in commerce annually.CEO Shane Happach, the company's first non-founder CEO, joins us to discuss this new chapter. He shares his mantra of "profitable global growth," the strategy behind the Recharge acquisition, and how Coda is expanding beyond gaming to help any digital business abstract the complexity of global payments and distribution.We discuss:The evolution from a payments provider to a full-stack monetisation platform.The strategy behind the acquisition of Recharge and their European expansion.Their ‘profitable global growth’ mantra and future M&A outlook.How regulatory tailwinds are opening up app ecosystems for third-party payments.Their plans for geographic expansion into markets like Brazil and Japan.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The packaged food and beverage space is overflowing with brands claiming to be “natural”, “premium” or “healthy”, but few survive beyond the packaging. Alvin Andrew, the self-proclaimed King of Processed Foods, reveals why most founders shouldn’t even be in the game, the truth about what makes a product scalable, and how to build something that actually sells at home and abroad.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data centres are no longer just information warehouses; they are high-density hubs, or ‘airports for internet traffic’, and the demand for power is exploding from 6 kilowatts a rack to over 150.Wong Weng Yew, a 20-year industry veteran and the founder of Open DC, joins us to share his journey. He explains his pivot from a traditional ISP to building a RM70 million (projected) data centre business, his unique focus on telco-neutral hubs, and how his new facilities are being built to handle the intense power demands of AI workloads.We discuss:His 20-year journey from an ISP to a data centre operator.Open DC's unique role as an ‘airport for internet traffic’.How AI is demanding a massive increase in "rack density" (power per rack).Why enterprises are now outsourcing their high-power AI infrastructure.The growth strategy that put them on track for RM70M in revenue by 2026.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a transport company in Malaysia is no small feat, especially with rising fuel costs and the challenge of keeping track of dozens of drivers and vehicles.Ginderpal Singh Harnek Singh, Managing Director of Shaziman Transport, shares his entrepreneurial journey, how he keeps his fleet running efficiently, and how tools like PETRONAS SmartPay are helping businesses better manage one of their biggest expenses — fuel.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the recent launch of its direct ETF Explorer and a long-awaited Shariah Global Portfolio, is digital wealth manager StashAway signaling a major evolution in its business model? Malaysia Country Manager Wong Wai Ken joins us to share the story behind this new chapter.We discuss:The self-disruptive expansion to a transaction model for their new ETF Explorer.Whether ETF Explorer is an attempt to address low-fee brokersWhy the Shariah Global Portfolio was led by the Malaysian team.Why it took 7 years to bring to marketHow their offering fits into the larger landscape of shariah investment optionsTheir focus on deepening customer engagement, instead of pure user acquisition.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marking its 10th anniversary, IGL Coatings has grown into an eight-figure business exporting its surface protection solutions to 50 markets. But this milestone comes at a challenging time, with new US tariffs impacting its largest market.Founder and CEO Keong Chun Chieh joins us to reflect on his 10-year journey. He discusses the on-the-ground reality of navigating tariffs, his strategic push to grow the B2C side of the business, the crucial lessons he's learned about IP protection, and his "north star" goal of hitting $100 million in annual revenue.We discuss:The 10-year journey from a startup to an 8-figure manufacturer & exporter.The real-world impact of US tariffs and the strategy for navigating them.Why a 19% tariff Is better than uncertaintyTheir strategic push to grow the B2C segment to diversify risk.The crucial importance of IP protection and listening to customer feedback.Their new strategic partnership with Petronas to localise their supply chain.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with Shaerfatwa Intannadwah, Founder and Managing Director of Roboshop Technologies, to explore how a small series of robotics workshops has grown into a full-fledged EdTech ecosystem aiming to shape Malaysia’s next generation of tech talent.Since its founding in 2019, Roboshop has been helping teachers and students not just adopt technology, but truly thrive in technology-driven classrooms — building confidence and creativity through hands-on learning in AI, robotics, IoT, and coding. From hosting national competitions like Let’s Code to preparing students for the 2025 AI Competition in Singapore, the company has become a bridge between education and innovation.Intan shares how Roboshop is changing what it means to teach and learn in the digital age, and why nurturing future-ready talent may be Malaysia’s most important investment yet.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Koh, CEO and Managing Director of ALUMASTER, joins us to explore how a Sarawak-based aluminium solutions provider grew from a small local operation into one of East Malaysia’s most trusted names in high-quality windows, doors, and façade systems.In an industry defined by tight margins, rising costs, and competition, ALUMASTER’s story is one of quiet resilience — built on craftsmanship, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose. From supply chain pressures to evolving building standards, William shares how the company has adapted, innovated, and positioned itself in Malaysia’s fast-changing construction landscape.From sustainability and design innovation to regional expansion, we take a grounded look at how one homegrown brand continues to build growth, one project at a time.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.