Open For Business

We explore the digital communication frontier with CiMS Tech, the company behind Malaysia's first Omnichannel Cloud Messaging Platform. The platform connects Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with their customers across various messaging channels like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, catalysing significant business growth with a potential to boost revenue by up to 40%. Beyond enhancing communication, it provides predictive insights into customer behaviour, a crucial asset in today's digital marketplace.A testament to its impact is its adoption by SME Corp for the Program Mikro Madani, which underscores how technology and automation are pivotal in revamping workflows and elevating revenue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Generative AI and ChatGPT was the talk of the town, there was web3. Although the budding industry has taken a hit since the fall of FTX and other key players in the space, the industry is far from dead.IP tokenization platform Acxyn wants to use its IP valuation framework to help game developers and studios better monetise the intellectual property they create, whether it’s in-app items or the source code itself, via tokenization. This taps into the same technology behind NFTs but aimed to redefining game monetization and investment by improving the visibility and value of IP so that gaming studios can potentially tap into new revenue streams.In the longer term, it hopes to facilitate the infusion of foreign IPs and foreign investments into Malaysia to ultimately position Malaysia as a global gaming hub that attracts international game studios and investments.To break down what this all entails, how they are building this, and how they will achieve these aspirations, we speak with the co-founders of Acxyn, CEO John Schneider and CMO Jason Loh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world where sustainability and environmental consciousness are becoming increasingly more important to consumers, Origo Eco initially stepped into the market to solve one particular problem - plastic straws. In just 3 years, they’ve sold over 21 million of their RiceStraws and their customers include companies such as Coffee Bean, Park Royal Penang, Wonderboom, and 8 Ounce Coffee.Today they have expanded into more compostable utensils made from agricultural waste and by-products, but more importantly are moving into making shipping pallets, which will take Origo Eco to the next stage of their growth.On this episode of Open For Business, you will learn about their journey, from idea to producing 1.5 million RiceStraws daily, the traction and revenue growth this business has seen, fundraising plans, and what lies ahead with Su Seau Yeen, co-founder of Origo Eco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ll be taking a look into the realms of sustainability and innovation with insights from CarbonWorks and CarbonGPT. CarbonWorks is at the forefront of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting, fostering a scientific approach to navigate through the intricate landscape of ESG practices, highlighting the evolving role of carbon within this domain. We’ll also be exploring the pioneering efforts of CarbonGPT, a synergy of sustainability, advanced AI, and carbon management systems aiming to redefine sustainable business operations and contribute to environmental preservation. CarbonGPT's team, a convergence of environmental strategists, AI experts, and business professionals, strives for a balanced coexistence of advanced technology and sustainable practices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today it seems like no matter what business you’re building or running, you need some form of digital presence that goes beyond social media. Whether it’s a website or a mobile app, building and maintaining these can be quite a burden for founders and entrepreneurs that don’t have a more technical or tech background, or don’t have a CTO or technical co-founder.Digital agency Lizard Global saw this gap and decided that it was worth the time to build a business to address it. Today it calls itself a full-stack digital partner, essentially a CTO or technical co-founder as-a-service, but is there enough of a market for this business? Wouldn’t a startup rather have an in-house CTO?To find out, we speak with Lizard Global co-founders, CEO Jeremy Raes and CTO Guido van Beek. We’ll also get into how much traction they’ve seen with businesses and how scalable this venture is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do once you’re done with your current smartphone? What about your TV or laptop?Since 2010, Statista data shows that the volume of e-waste generated globally has been steadily rising. By 2019, approximately 53.6 million metric tons was produced. This was an increase of 44.4 million metric tons in just five years. Of this, just 17% was documented to be collected and properly recycled. E-waste is becoming an increasing concern as the improper disposal and recycling of e-waste can lead to severe environmental consequences. Enter Electronic Recycling Through Heroes or ERTH. This startup was founded in 2019 by the husband and wife team Mohamed “Mo” Tarek El-Fatatry and Nahed Bedir Eletribi in a bid to address this issue and 4 years in, they hit a milestone earlier this month when they joined the ranks of startups supported by the Khazanah Nasional-backed Gobi Dana Impak Ventures Fund. On the back of the recent funding rounding, we speak to co-founder Mohamed “Mo” Tarek El-Fatatry about how the new funding will be utilised, the profitability of this business, and a look back to how the founders took this business from an idea to helping diverted more than 1,000,000 KG of e-waste from landfills.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The financial planning industry has grown considerably over the last few years. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of financial planning firms increased by 42 per cent, from 31 to 44 firms as at end-2022, while the number of licensed representatives grew by 145% over the same period to 1,455.Despite that growth, the industry needs to keep up with the times, as changing demographics along with the rise of digital solutions and AI powered tools, could pose challenges to the long term health of this industry.To get a sense for the business of financial planning, address criticisms of the industry, and ofcourse get into the potential disruption from tech and digital solutions, we speak to Yap Ming Hui, the Founder and Managing Director of Whitman Independent Advisors - holistic wealth management firm.Now advising more than RM2 billion worth of client’s wealth, Whitman was founded back in 2000 and initially focused on wealthier clients, but the firm expanded its client base in 2008 in a bid to help more Malaysians with their journeys to financial freedom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the dynamic landscape of technology, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Extended Reality (XR) are emerging as revolutionary forces, reshaping the way businesses operate and compete. These technologies are not just the domain of tech giants; they are increasingly becoming accessible to Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to level the playing field with larger corporations.We hear from Louis Clovis, who will share his insights on the impact and potential of these technologies within the SME ecosystem. While our conversation is set against the backdrop of the XR Asia Summit event, our focus will pivot to a more topical exploration, delving into the transformative role of VR/AR/XR technologies for SMEs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having recently announced a historical best of US$11 million in EBITDA for the first quarter of FY2024, we speak to Carro’s CFO Ernest Chew about profit and revenue targets ahead, how their different acquisitions and investments play into Carro’s growth strategy, the reason Carro is IPO-ready, but in no rush to list, and why they still want to fundraise.Carro was founded back in 2015 and has raised over US$1 Billion in debt and equity to fund ambitions to build the largest online used car marketplace in Asia. The platform allows consumers and wholesale businesses to buy and sell used vehicles and also offers insurance and financing services.Founded in Singapore, Carro joined the unicorn club in 2021 after completing a near-$500 million funding round led by SoftBank, and is backed by other notable investors like Temasek and GIC. As part of their journey, Carro has brought Malaysian car bidding platform into the fold, acquired a 50% stake in Indonesian MPM Rent in 2022, announced a strategic investment in Driven Communications, owners of paultan.org among other websites, and recently announced a strategic partnership with Jardine Cycle & Carriage valued at over $60 million.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COBNB stands at the forefront of Malaysia's burgeoning short-term rental sector, offering a comprehensive suite of services that cater to property owners and travelers alike. From Kuala Lumpur's city centre to the scenic outskirts, COBNB's presence is felt as they manage properties, facilitate co-living experiences, and even provide renovation services.As Malaysia gradually opens its doors to the global home-sharing phenomenon, COBNB is strategically positioned to harness the potential of this sector, which is projected to reach a staggering US$1.010 billion in 2023. Their services not only offer property owners an avenue for income generation but also promise travelers authentic, immersive, and personalised holiday experiences. We speak with Bernard Lim, as we explore the intricacies of the short-term rental industry, COBNB's growth trajectory, and the future of home-sharing in Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.