Enterprise Explores

One of Southeast Asia’s largest SME digital financing platforms, Funding Societies Malaysia, along with renowned online food and grocery delivery platform, Foodpanda, have put their heads together to introduce a new pre-approved financing service that allows SMEs to get a financing plan without any repayment of principal for the first three months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UOB Malaysia and The FinLab have launched an initiative called JomX to assist SMEs embark on their digitalising efforts. This is due to a study done by UOB, Accenture and Dun & Bradstreet that discovered that many are relying on technology to help them survive due to the impact of COVID-19. SMEs interested may register here. Image Credit: Peshkova | ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several hotel operators affected by poor business due to the Covid-19 pandemic have put creativity to good use by way of getting customers to come to their hotels. Diners can now savour their meals in the privacy of hotel rooms. Image Credit: Aleksei Potov | ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hairdressing industry in Phase 1 states was given a lifeline two weeks ago when they were allowed to resume operations. However, business has been off to a slow-ish start, with many customers opting to wait it out… and businesses themselves taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach amidst a worsening health crisis. Image Credit: aiman zafri | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the first signs of what to expect from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri as the leader of Malaysia was his cabinet appointment. Finally, when all was revealed, the PM set out KPIs for the first 100 days of this new cabinet with 3 broad principles. And it was mainly an announcement of familiar names with many retaining their old posts although there were some changes. *CORRECTION: There are 5 female ministers in the new cabinet, namely Women, Family and Community Affairs Minister Rina Harun, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri, Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad and National Unity Minister Halimah Sadique. Image Credit: adam yusof | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the pandemic made it necessary for large groups of employees to work from home, it became clear that culture isn't tied to an office. Organisations found that culture not only kept a sense of community in the virtual workplace alive, but has also made a difference between companies surviving or thriving. We explore some of the findings from PwCs Global Culture Study 2021. Image Credit: REDPIXEL.PL | ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although the travel and aviation industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic, stakeholders within the sphere are confident that the industry will bounce back when the time comes. Image Credit: manusama | PixabaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of 11 Malaysians have started a voluntary project called DabaoKL to support Klang Valley’s hawkers. Image Credit: yusuf madi | ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ScaleUp Malaysia has launched Cohort 3 of their programme targeting high growth scaleups, in partnership with Singapore-based Quest Ventures and US based Indelible Ventures. The investment partnerships will bring in a total investment of approximately US$ 1 million (RM4.23 million) to develop and grow Malaysian scaleups, targeting 20 companies to be shortlisted for the Cohort 3 applications. Image Credit: pathdoc | ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

VP of Tech Ecosystems and Globalisation at MDEC, Gopi Ganesalingam joins us to talk about MDEC’s latest industry empowerment venture - Corporate Innovation Program (MIX) - which aims to bridge startups and corporations. The programme, which is open to all corporates, is set to be a game-changer in pushing for industrial advancement in Malaysia while contributing to the successful growth of the nation’s startup scene. Image Credit: Lightspring | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.