Open For Business

Most people think vegetarian food means salad bowls, grain bowls, and the occasional tofu stir-fry. But what if it could also mean laksa, sambal petai pizza, or even orh-luak – all without the meat, and still full of flavour?That’s the idea behind Roots, a modern vegetarian fusion restaurant founded by Ian Tan and his brothers. Ian shares how he turned familiar Malaysian favourites into plant-based dishes that appeal to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, and what it takes to build a brand that balances creativity, culture, and business sense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the pickleball craze sweeps Malaysia, creating a crowded market and talk of a potential bubble, how does a first-mover build a brand that lasts? For Pickle Social Club (PSC), the answer isn't just about courts, it's about creating an integrated wellness ecosystem, a "fourth space" for play, recovery, and community.Founder Mark Choo, who also co-founded Tribe Boxing and is Executive Director of Soul Society F&B group, joins us to share PSC's story. He details how he turned old tennis courts into a thriving business that achieved payback on its seven-figure investment in just eight months, and his strategy for navigating the increasingly competitive landscape.We discuss:The "four Ps" strategy (Product, Play, Property, Platform).How they achieved payback on their 7-figure capex in under a year.The power of an integrated ecosystem with fitness, F&B, and recovery.Their plan to outlast the hype by focusing on experience, not price.Their Southeast Asia expansion plans and what they seek in a partner.For entrepreneurs in the consumer and wellness space, this is a masterclass in strategy, execution, and building a defensible moat in a trending market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all innovations are about speed or convenience. Some are about dignity, access, and independence.eBrelle is a Braille-based smart device that lets blind and visually impaired users read, learn, and work, turning digital files into real-time Braille.In this episode, we speak with Dr. Nor Afifah Shabani, Founder and CEO, and Md Fadzli Mohamed, the Non-Executive Director of Edote, the company behind eBrelle, about building inclusive assistive tech, expanding access to education and how innovation can be both purpose-driven and commercially viable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began in 2017 as a side hustle to solve Kuala Lumpur's parking shortage has evolved into a B2B2C technology company targeting RM15-20 million in revenues this year. ParkIt is no longer just a marketplace connecting drivers to empty bays; it's an end-to-end parking solutions provider for major asset owners, including Sunway Malls and the Kajang MRT line.Founder and CEO Kyan Liew shares the eight-year journey of ParkIt. He discusses the crucial pivot from a peer-to-peer platform to a B2B-focused model, the strategy behind winning a major public sector contract, and how the company has become EBITDA positive while scaling rapidly.We discuss:The evolution from a C2C marketplace to a B2B solutions provider.The founder's "2X mindset" for doubling the business year-on-year.Key lessons on scaling with lean teams and efficient processes.Their ecosystem play, expanding from parking into insurance services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you make complex STEM subjects like robotics and coding engaging for students, especially those in underserved communities who feel left behind by technology? Malaysian edtech startup GoTechUp believes the answer is gamification, turning learning into a series of captivating missions and simulations.Ainaa Rosli, CEO and Co-Founder of GoTechUp, joins us to share their journey from a single simulator to building an aggregator platform for gamified learning. She discusses their unique strategy of co-creating content with educators, their focus on making STEM a tool within other subjects, and how they track student progression with data to ensure learning is effective, not just fun.We discuss:The mission to become the "Netflix for gamified education."Their strategy of co-creating educational games directly with teachers.How gamification and data can track student progression.The focus on reaching underserved communities with engaging tech tools.Their pre-seed fundraising journey and plans for scaling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smart logistics is fast becoming a critical enabler of Malaysia’s aerospace ambitions, and one company helping make that happen is Triangle Worldwide.Behind every aircraft part and engineering breakthrough, there’s a logistics system working quietly in the background, one that must be fast, precise, secure, and globally connected. From handling time-critical Aircraft on Ground (AOG) scenarios to navigating complex compliance requirements and ensuring end-to-end visibility, the demands in aerospace logistics are uniquely demanding.In this episode, we speak with Marc Philip, CEO of Triangle Worldwide, about the shift toward predictive logistics, the role of digital tools in building trust and transparency, and how Malaysia can strengthen its position in high-value manufacturing by getting the logistics equation right.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if learning about money felt less like a lecture and more like a game? Vespid, a Malaysian startup, is building the "Duolingo for personal finance" to make financial literacy accessible and engaging for young people. But the journey here wasn't straightforward.Co-Founder and CEO Edrea Lee shares the story of Vespid's major pivot, from an ambitious plan to be the "Robinhood for Malaysia" to a gamified education platform. She details how they validated this new direction, the lessons learned from an evolving founding team, and their current B2B strategy of partnering with financial institutions.We discuss:The pivot from an investment platform to a gamified EdTech app.How gamification (streaks, points, rewards) boosts user retention.Their B2B strategy for commercialisation and monetisation.The evolution of the founding team and lessons in entrepreneurship.Their pre-seed funding journey and plans for scaling.For founders navigating a pivot, or anyone interested in the intersection of EdTech, FinTech, and gamification, this conversation is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mascon Technologies, a Singapore-based Maritime Tech start-up founded in 2022 aims to help digitise, verify and simplify the work done on the ships - quite literally - and in the office. We speak with Mascon’s CEO and Co-Founder, Hakim Sanwan, about their inception story, the challenges of building a tech company in the maritime sector, their ambitions ahead, and how Mascon is positioning itself within a complex and traditional industry.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Malaysian SMEs generate healthy profits but still struggle with cash flow and fail to secure funding. Why? The problem often lies in the gap between accounting (looking backward) and finance (planning forward). DashAdd, an AI-powered platform, aims to bridge this gap for good.Co-Founder and CEO Awzair Hamid explains how his pre-seed startup is building an AI financial analyst named "Tawfeeq" to give SMEs clarity on their numbers. He discusses their vision to automate financial forecasting, simplify performance tracking, and match businesses with the right funding opportunities.We discuss:The critical difference between accounting and finance for business owners.How they hope their AI agent, Tawfeeq, will simplify complex financial data.The strategy to create a funding-matching ecosystem for SMEs.Their go-to-market plan through strategic partnerships.Insights from their pre-seed funding journey with HASAN.VC.For startup founders and SME owners who feel overwhelmed by their numbers, this conversation offers a glimpse into the future of automated financial strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does a homegrown Malaysian badminton brand, with roots in 1980s shuttlecock manufacturing, scale to an eight-figure business with a presence in over 40 countries? For Absolute Protech Sports, the answer lies in branding, product innovation, and a deep understanding of what players want.Founder and Managing Director Dato’ Ronnie Chong shares the four-decade journey of Protech. He discusses the transition from a family manufacturing business to a modern marketing and distribution powerhouse, and why they are making a significant bet on the meteoric rise of pickleball, but also why they’re looking into padel.We discuss:The strategy for growing from an 8-figure to a 9-figure business.How to compete with global sports giants on quality and price.Why Protech is betting big on pickleball as the "new social sport."Product innovation, from hybrid shuttlecocks to pickleball floor mats.Key lessons on organic growth, delegation, and building a brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.