Open For Business

We speak with Edward Ling, the founder of Edvance, a Malaysian fintech company that helps families afford private and international school fees, while giving schools more stability in how they manage their cash flow about why he thinks fixing the school payment system might be the most overlooked way to improve education in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could working in your browser with tools like Google Docs and Salesforce be the biggest cyber threat facing enterprises today? According to Vivek Ramachandran, founder of SquareX, the answer is a resounding yes. He argues that as work has moved entirely online, traditional security has been left blind to a new generation of sophisticated, browser-native attacks.This is precisely why his cybersecurity firm raised $30 million. Vivek explains how his team is pioneering a new category, Browser Detection and Response, to protect the new enterprise endpoint: the web browser itself. He unpacks the strategy, SaaS model, and vision required to tackle this critical, underserved market.We discuss:Why the web browser is the new front line for cyber attacks.The critical security gaps left by traditional antivirus and EDR.Key lessons from raising $30M to build a new product category.Using thought leadership at Defcon & Black Hat to win enterprise clients.The journey from a successful exit to tackling a new global problem.Whether you're a CISO, tech founder, or an investor tracking the future of cybersecurity, this is a masterclass in why you need to rethink where the real threats lie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Truly Loving Company is Malaysia’s first social enterprise to adopt a corporate profit model for goods—developing, manufacturing, and marketing a range of high-quality household cleaning products under the TLC brand. Julia Chong, the Founder and CEO of TLC joins us to break down their bigger mission, how the company plans to scale its social impact as well as the challenges to set up a social enterprise in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if venture capital wasn’t built to chase unicorns in Southeast Asia, but to build camels instead?On Open For Business, Umar Munshi, Managing Partner of HASAN.VC, unpacks how his firm is rethinking venture capital for Southeast Asia and beyond, with a focus on ethical, halal-aligned startups grounded in resilience, not hype.We explore the origins and philosophy behind HASAN.VC’s Camel Manifesto, which champions long-term sustainability over hypergrowth. Umar shares lessons from his equity crowdfunding journey with Ethis Group, why traditional VC models fail in fragmented markets, and how HASAN is building a more founder-friendly ecosystem, including a hands-on accelerator and a new venture studio in Kota Bharu.We also discuss:Why the Silicon Valley VC model doesn’t fit Southeast AsiaRed flags founders should watch for in investorsShariah-compliant alternatives to SAFE notesHow HASAN.VC is building an angel-powered VC fundWhat ethical investing means in practice, and why it’s for everyoneWhether you're a founder, funder, or just curious about values-driven capital, this is a must-listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With over 100,000 users across 1,000 companies, BrioHR is fast becoming a potential major HR tech player. But how does a Malaysian-based startup take on global giants like Deel and Employment Hero?For Co-Founder and CEO Benjamin Croc, the answer lies in localisation, strong client relationships, and a relentless focus on usability and AI integration.On Open For Business, Benjamin shares BrioHR’s journey from tackling onboarding pain points to building a full-stack HR platform, and how they plan to use their $6.5 million Series A funding to scale regionally, deepen their product, and double down on AI.We discuss:How BrioHR localizes HR tech for Southeast Asian needsUsing AI to improve claims, job descriptions, and engagementBusiness model, margins, and pathway to profitabilityLessons from their fundraising journey and Series A processGrowth targets, Series B goals, and long-term exit plansSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people don’t think of algae when it comes to climate action, but it might just be one of the most powerful tools we’ve got. We speak with Jean Tan, Co-Founder and Chief Ecosystem Officer of Atoz Carbon Cycle Platform. Her team is using microalgae to do more than just capture carbon – it’s helping crops grow better, improving soil, and even supporting the food chain – all through one integrated system.Jean explains how this tiny organism is already making a big impact, the real benefits seen by farmers and businesses, and why she believes ESG shouldn’t be seen as a cost but as a smart investment in long-term value.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harith Ridzuan, also known as The Green Carpenter, transformed his family’s woodworking business into a sustainable manufacturing company that’s now working with everyone from local cafés to global brands. Now, he's taking a bold new step by launching a retail space for The Green Factory. Today, on Open For Business, we explore what’s behind the move, how it's being funded, and his vision for it — along with the challenges of running a values-driven business and whether purpose still pays the bills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ChatGPT, AI tutors & the future of student advice, that’s the focus of today’s Open For Business.As students shift from Google searches to ChatGPT prompts, how does that change the way they choose universities and plan their future? Founded in 2014 to tackle the chaos of online education forums, EduAdvisor has grown into a sizable education consulting platform, guiding over 5,000 student enrollments annually and reaching more than 4 million students through organic search, social media, and now AI tools.In this episode, Co-Founder Loh Sue May and Director of Enrolment Lee Ching Wei talk about EduAdvisor’s journey, their AI-powered SPM tutor app EduBijak, and how they’re adapting to a rapidly changing digital discovery landscape.We explore:How EduAdvisor built organic reach with smart content & student insightsThe rise of ChatGPT as an advice source and the dangers of misinformationWhy EduBijak is free, ad-free, and a long-term brand builderBalancing trust, transparency, and impact in the content arms raceWhat EduAdvisor’s model tells us about the future of student recruitmentWhether you're a parent, educator, or startup founder, this is a window into how tech is reshaping education advice in Malaysia and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With over 2,500 centers onboard and over $64 million in annual gross transaction volume, AOne is quietly transforming the education sector with its all-in-one SaaS platform. But can it win against deeply entrenched behaviors in the industry?In this episode, Dr. Darren Gouk, Founder & CEO of AOne, shares his journey from nutritional chemistry to edtech founder, the reason behind their 2019 private from marketplace to SaaS, and how they’re helping learning centres & academies digitise operations and scale.We unpack:Why he built AOne and the early challenges of convincing learning centers to digitiseWhy they shifted focus from bookings to backend solutions for educatorsTheir roadmap to deepen services, expand regionally, and raise fundsHow AOne balances product development with customer adoptionHow AOne is evolving from SaaS product to platform ecosystem for learning centresSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justine Cakes & Kueh founder didn’t plan on starting a kueh business. She began with cakes, baking on the side while holding a corporate job. Today, Justine Lim is known for turning Malaysian desserts and dishes from pulut tai tai to nasi lemak and chicken rice cakes, into eye-catching creations that still feel familiar. In this episode, she shares how it all started, what pushed her to take it full-time, and how she’s learned to run a business that stays true to her roots, while still surprising people with every bite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.