Open For Business

This 2-year old TikTok media company is on track to make RM40 million in revenue in 2025. In this episode of Open For Business, BFM sits down with Yubin Ng and Joel Lim, Co-Founders of MantaYaY, a pioneering media company that has harnessed the power of TikTok to build a thriving business. Founded in 2023, MantaYaY started as a TikTok agency in Malaysia and has rapidly expanded its offerings to include influencer marketing, content creation, live streaming, and e-commerce services.The company manages over 3,000 content creators and boasts a strong foothold in the gaming sector. With 2024 revenues exceeding RM15 million and projections for RM40 million in 2025, MantaYaY's growth trajectory is nothing short of impressive. The interview explores the company's unique strategy of combining talent management, digital production, and e-commerce to connect brands with TikTok's massive audience.Yubin and Joel share insights into their business model, how they monetise digital content, and the key challenges of scaling a new media company in a fast-paced digital landscape. They also discuss their institutional fundraising efforts to secure market leadership and expand into new regions, including the UK and Japan. Tune in to discover how MantaYaY is redefining media and commerce on TikTok.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we explore the booming sport of pickleball, a fast-growing activity that's taking Malaysia — and the world — by storm. Join us as we sit down with Janet Teo, the founder of Picklefox, a local business specialising in pickleball equipment and accessories. From high-quality pickleball paddles, grips, and eyewear, to being an official distributor of top brands like Ronbus, Proton, and Paddletek, Picklefox is making waves in the pickleball community after officially launching the business in May 2024. Janet’s mission is to make pickleball accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, with products that cater to both beginners and pros. In today’s conversation, we discuss the inspiration behind Janet's journey, the early challenges of starting a pickleball business, and her exciting plans for the future — including a dedicated pickleball facility and multiple retail locations across Kuala Lumpur. Tune in to hear more about Janet's passion for pickleball, her entrepreneurial journey, and her vision for scaling Picklefox in the rapidly growing pickleball market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 2014, Australia-based Valta Technology Group has been automating finance and procurement processes through a blend of technology and consulting, with operations in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.Jussi Karjalainen, Founder and CEO, shares Valta’s journey to AUD $5 million in annual revenue, its unique market positioning, and how the company aims to leverage e-invoicing mandates and incentives to drive both value for clients beyond compliance and Valta’s own growth.We also delve into Valta’s AI-driven innovations, the challenges of bootstrapping a tech business, and why Malaysia is its fastest-growing market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we sit down with Tejvinder Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Great Pyramid, a leading HR solutions provider in Malaysia. Founded in 2015, Great Pyramid offers a comprehensive range of services, from immigration solutions and talent acquisition to workforce management and HR consultancy. Today, they serve over 450 clients globally, including major brands like Qatar Airways, ByteDance, and Harvey Norman. Join us as Tejvinder shares the story behind Great Pyramid’s journey—how they built their business from the ground up, overcame challenges, scaled to new heights, and navigated the changing landscape of HR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a side hustle to a nearly seven-figure tech business, Daren Tan, Founder and CEO of ALPHV, shares his journey from freelancing in 2017 to leading a fast-growing company. ALPHV, incorporated in 2023, now operates across four key pillars: software development (Alpha Tech), corporate training (Alpha Academy), developer relations (Developer Kaki), and tech job placement (Alpha Recruit).Daren’s entrepreneurial journey began during his master’s studies in data science, freelancing to sharpen his skills while identifying a growing demand for software developers among startups. This led to the creation of Developer Kaki, an organic 54,000-strong developer community that has become a valuable asset for talent sourcing and industry collaborations with companies like Akamai, F5 Group, and Nvidia.In this episode of Open For Business, we explore the ALPHV ecosystem, the business models powering its growth, and the financial roadmap ahead. With plans to expand AI-driven training, scale its job portal, and double its revenue in 2025, Daren shares his insights on bootstrapping a tech company, building thriving online communities, and navigating the evolving digital economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As ASEAN’s digital demand surges, so does the need for telecom infrastructure to keep us connected. On Open For Business, we speak with Suresh Sidhu, CEO & Founder of EdgePoint Infrastructure, about how the company has built over 15,600 towers across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and its plans to surpass 20,000 towers in the coming years.A telecom industry veteran, Suresh previously led EDOTCO Group and has over 20 years of experience, dating back to the rollout of 3G in Malaysia. Now, backed by DigitalBridge, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and the IFC, he shares his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the business model behind telecom towers, and how EdgePoint differentiates itself in an asset-heavy industry.We also dive into the impact of 5G, M&A, and AI-driven connectivity on future growth, the challenges of scaling telecom infrastructure, and whether an IPO or private sale is the likely exit strategy for EdgePoint’s investors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Royston G. King, the founder of Master Scaling, a company focused on helping businesses rapidly grow through digital marketing and strategic scaling techniques. He’s an investor, a multiple best-selling author, and has been recognized on platforms like Forbes for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship. We'll be discussing his journey into entrepreneurship, how Master Scaling helps businesses achieve exponential growth, the challenges he’s faced along the way, and what’s next for him in the world of digital business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is pet influencer marketing really a thing? In this episode of Open For Business, we chat with June Kweh, Founder of Hey Pawfriends!, a platform that connects pet brands with pet influencers (yes, that’s a thing!). The idea came about after brands started approaching her to promote pet products on her dog’s Instagram account with Hey Pawfriends! launched in mid-2024. Leveraging her background in e-commerce and digital marketing, with stints at Group M, Lazada, and Shopee, June was driven by the need to address the fragmentation and lack of structure for pet creators.Hey Pawfriends! operates on three key pillars: a self-serve platform for SMEs to discover pet influencers, agency services for larger brands needing managed campaigns, and an emerging e-commerce initiative that empowers pet creators to launch their own product collaborations. In our conversation, June gets into how her platform aims to tackle the unique challenges of the pet creator economy, as well as her own challenges building the product, educating potential clients about the value proposition, and generating revenue on a lean, bootstrapped budget. The conversation also dives into strategic growth priorities for 2025, including expansion plans and the potential to raise external funding.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re joined by Tan Ding Jie, Co-Founder at Prefer, a Singapore-based coffee startup that’s transforming the industry with their innovative “bean-free” coffee. Founded in 2022, Prefer manufactures sustainable and affordable ground coffee compatible with standard espresso machines, catering to businesses such as cafes, coffee chains, distributors, and flavor houses. In February 2024, Prefer secured US$2 million in seed funding, led by Forge Ventures and joined by global investors like 500 Global and Philippine coffee startup Pickup Coffee. With that in mind, DJ shares the story behind Prefer’s creation, the challenges of scaling a coffee startup, and the ambitious goals they have for the future of sustainable coffee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) arm of Capital A, aims to redefine aviation maintenance in Southeast Asia. In this episode of Open For Business, CEO Mahesh Kumar details ADE’s evolution from AirAsia’s in-house engineering team to a full-fledged third-party MRO provider. With a state-of-the-art 14-line hangar at KLIA and expansion into markets including Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Philippines—with plans to enter Thailand and the US—ADE is setting ambitious growth targets. Mahesh explains how ADE’s comprehensive services, from line and base maintenance to workshops and digital solutions like AEROTRADE and ELEVADE, are engineered for cost efficiency and rapid turnaround. He also highlights the company’s strategy for boosting third-party revenue through organic growth and strategic M&A, alongside investments in workforce development via training partnerships. Whether you’re in aviation or interested in disruptive business models, this conversation offers insights into navigating a capital-intensive industry and driving sustainable growth in a competitive global landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.