Open For Business

With an alarming 80% math failure rate plaguing some schools, Malaysia faces a critical educational challenge. EdTech startup Tupai is on a mission to solve this, not just with an AI-powered tutor, but with a unique peer-to-peer learning community that is already delivering results.Co-founders Edmond Yap and Andre Sequerah join us to share their journey from beta to a commercial launch that has seen students improve from 'F' to 'B' grades. They discuss their two-pronged solution, their B2B sales strategy via corporate foundations, and their plan to raise RM1.5 million through equity crowdfunding to scale their impact.We discuss:Their mission to solve the 80% math failure rate in Malaysia.Their unique approach combining an AI tutor with a peer learning community.The impressive results from their school pilots (students going from 'F' to 'B').Their monetisation strategy through corporate foundations and CSR.Their plan to raise RM1.5 million via Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) to scale.For impact investors, educators, and corporate leaders, this is a deep dive into an outcome-driven company tackling one of the nation's biggest challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a simple app for errands in 2014, GoGet has evolved into a digital staffing powerhouse with nearly 400,000 verified workers and an eight-figure annual revenue. As a pioneer in Malaysia's gig economy, what is the story behind their 11-year journey?Co-Founder and CEO Franchesca Chia joins us to share her experience. She discusses their evolution from a consumer-focused app to a primarily B2B platform, their proactive role in advocating for gig worker protection, and their exciting new venture: a workforce management SaaS tool for the traditional staffing industry.We discuss:The 11-year journey from a B2C errand app to an 8-figure B2B platform.Their proactive role in advocating for gig worker rights, including EPF integration.The "digital resume" feature that provides data-driven verification of skills.Their new chapter: launching a workforce management SaaS tool for the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a single outlet in 2003, The Olive Tree Group has grown into a hospitality empire with 30 restaurants and bars across seven states and two countries. At the helm is Founder and Managing Director Leslie Gomez, whose vision has been to serve not just food, but experiences that bring people together.In this conversation, Leslie reflects on the capital and grit needed to expand, the realities of profitability in Malaysia’s F&B industry, and how creativity, from immersive atmospheres to award-winning cuisine, keeps the group ahead. He also shares why food and hospitality carry meaning beyond the table, shaping the way we connect and celebrate as a community.We discuss:The 20+ year journey from one outlet to a RM100M+ F&B group.The strategy of being self-funded: "one successful outlet gives birth to another."Why understanding location, demographics, and landlord relations are key.The creative process behind their diverse portfolio of restaurant brands.The long-term vision: reaching 50 outlets and a potential public listing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having built a successful gig platform for e-commerce and retail, Qwork is now taking on a bigger challenge: solving the talent mismatch in Malaysia's heavy industries. They're launching the Qwork Manpower Hub (QMH), a new subsidiary focused on building a skilled local talent pipeline for "3D" jobs.Co-founder and Chief Strategy & Financial Officer Dr. Mimi Aminah joins us to unpack this evolution. She discusses their "train and place" model for creating career progression, the strategic separation of their operations and tech businesses, and their plan to fund this new venture through equity crowdfunding.We discuss:The launch of the Qwork Manpower Hub (QMH) for heavy industries.Their "train and place" model for building a local TVET talent pipeline.The unique strategy of funding a new subsidiary via equity crowdfunding.How they create clear career progression for workers across different industries.The strategic separation of their operations and technology businesses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For almost 30 years, the smell of a freshly baked Rotiboy bun has been an iconic part of the Malaysian food experience, but behind this is a story of near-failure, resilience, and a "last stand" that involved selling a family car to survive.Founder Hiro Tan joins us to share his incredible journey. From making pau as a child and struggling with RM60-a-day sales in his first Klang Valley outlet, to a pivotal turning point at Wisma Sentral that sparked a regional franchise, this is the story behind one of Malaysia's beloved food brands.We discuss:The 30-year journey from a struggling Penang bakery to a global brand.The "last stand" moment that saved the business from the brink of failure.The two key lessons learned: the need for expertise and sufficient capital.The evolution of their business model into manufacturing and franchising.The founder's current focus on building a lasting legacy and succession planning.For entrepreneurs and anyone who loves a true story of resilience, this is a dive into the heart and hustle behind an iconic Malaysian brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A shareholder clash sparked a 7-figure Superapp pivot? What started in 2016 as a niche proptech company has evolved into FusionQB, a mid-7-figure business that builds customer data platforms and super apps for over 60 enterprise clients. Now managing over a million customer profiles, what's the story behind their successful pivot?Co-founders Alvin Chooi and Stephen Lim join us to share their journey. They explain the crucial difference between a traditional CRM and a modern Customer Data Platform (CDP), their pivot from a single industry to a broader market, and their new focus on integrating AI to drive customer engagement and growth.We discuss:The key difference between a traditional CRM and a Customer Data Platform (CDP).The story behind their pivot from proptech to an industry-agnostic platform.Their three-pronged business model combining retainers, projects, and profit-sharing.How they use unified data to enable targeted remarketing and save costs.Their future roadmap, including next-gen AI solutions and regional expansion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started as a single food truck to help one person in need has evolved into Pepper Labs, an eight-figure social enterprise that has impacted over 400,000 lives. But how do you scale social impact while remaining a commercially viable, profitable business?Managing Director Thanaselan Rajendran joins us to share their incredible 10-year journey. He discusses the critical difference between a social enterprise and a charity, their innovative "Dapur Digital" community kitchens, and how they partner with giants like Microsoft and Google to bridge the digital divide with large-scale AI training.We discuss:The 10-year journey from a single food truck to an 8-figure business.The crucial difference between a social enterprise and a charity.Their "Dapur Digital" model for empowering micro-entrepreneurs in PPR communitiesHow they are bridging the digital divide with large-scale AI training.Their ambitious vision to become an "impact-based conglomerate."For social entrepreneurs, corporate foundations, and policymakers, this is a fascinating story in building a scalable, sustainable, and impact-focused organisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh off its rebrand, Razorpay Curlec is navigating a critical new phase: the post-founder, post-acquisition era. With a new CEO at the helm, the fast-growing payment gateway is now tasked with leveraging its parent company's global scale to win in Malaysia's hyper-competitive fintech market.New Country Head and CEO Kevin Lee joins us to discuss his mandate for this new chapter. He shares insights on the strategic value of combining local expertise with a global tech stack, his playbook for scaling the business, and how Razorpay's deep focus on AI is shaping their product roadmap.We discuss:The strategy that led to 70% year-on-year volume growth.The challenges of navigating a post-founder leadership transition.How they are expanding from recurring payments to a full "Pains and Payouts" suite.Their competitive strategy against both global giants and local incumbents.How their parent company's AI philosophy is driving innovation.For leaders in the fintech and payments space, this is a deep dive into strategy, scale, and the realities of a post-acquisition journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From breakfast tables in Germany to boardrooms across Asia, Sebastian Krack’s journey with Hyatt Hotels has been one of passion, innovation, and leadership. Now stepping in as General Manager of Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, he shares how bold ideas like Le Petit Chef are reshaping dining, why hotels must go beyond room nights to deliver true experiences, and his vision for making Hyatt Centric a destination that reflects the spirit of Kuala Lumpur itself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started as a passion project in 2022 has since grown into By The Billions (BTB), a platform that blends automotive storytelling, 4x4 expeditions, and lifestyle festivals that bring together adventurers, car enthusiasts, and brands. Ned Nazlan, Founder of By The Billions, reflects on evolving a community into a business, the challenges of scaling, and why Malaysia’s appetite for outdoor adventure is only just beginning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.