Enterprise Explores

Can AI really help teachers teach better, or are we just adding more pressure to an already overloaded system?Malaysia is planning to retrain over 100,000 teachers using AI-powered tools, with hopes of modernising classrooms across the country. But questions remain — are schools ready? Will this help or hurt teacher morale? And are we solving the right problems?In this episode, we speak with Chan Soon Seng, CEO of Teach For Malaysia, about what meaningful support for teachers should actually look like, and whether this ambitious plan is a real step forward, or a tech fix that misses the point.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world chasing innovation, why are brands looking backwards to move forward?We sit down with Lina Esa, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Cult Creative, to unpack the booming business of nostalgia. From global revivals like Care Bears to local throwbacks that tap into Malaysian childhoods, we explore how memory is being turned into marketing and sentiment into sales.What does it take to pull off a successful reboot? Why does nostalgia hit harder during times of uncertainty? And how do brands walk the line between sentimental and stale?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bookstores keep disappearing, but our love for books hasn’t gone anywhere. If people still read, why do these spaces keep shutting their doors? And why are some independent bookstores still standing strong while others vanish?In this episode, we look beyond the headlines and nostalgia to find out what’s really keeping bookshops alive. Is it just the books? Or is it the careful curation, the sense of community, the slower pace in a fast-scrolling world? From thoughtful shelf selections to book cafés, merchandise, and cultural events, maybe the bookstore is no longer just a place to shop, but a place to belong.Joining us are Fong Min Hun, owner of Lit Books, and Jason Chen, Executive Director of CzipLee. Together, we discuss what it really takes to keep a bookstore going, what margins look like behind the scenes, and what we all stand to lose if these spaces disappear for good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the race for top talent, especially in high-demand sectors like AI and tech, some companies are now paying employees not to work, just to stop them from joining competitors. Is this smart business, an ethical grey zone, or a sign the talent war has gone too far?We explore how golden handcuffs — lucrative or restrictive retention strategies — are changing how companies protect talent in Malaysia with Selvamalar Alagaratnam, Partner & Head of the Employment Practice Group at Skrine. We discuss what’s legal, what’s fair, and how should both employers and employees respond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In its 24th year, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Malaysia programme is once again spotlighting the country’s most visionary and resilient entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, “The Shapers,” celebrates entrepreneurs who are navigating uncertainty and actively shaping the future of business in Malaysia.On this episode of Enterprise Explores, Philip Rao, Programme Director of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Malaysia and Partner at EY Consulting, gets into what makes a great nominee, the evolving profile of Malaysian entrepreneurs, and the impact of being recognised on a global platform like Monaco.We break down the nomination process, key judging criteria, and how past winners have benefited, whether through business credibility, international exposure, or stronger networks. Plus, we explore the critical role entrepreneurs play in driving innovation, long-term value, and economic resilience in challenging times.If you know a business leader who exemplifies the “never say die” spirit, now’s the time to shine a spotlight on them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With World Intellectual Property Day around the corner, Enterprise Explores why IP protection is no longer just a legal checkbox, it’s a business essential in today’s digital-first economy. Joining us are two advocates from the Bar Council’s IP Committee, who shed light on the real-world risks faced by Malaysian creators, startups, and entrepreneurs, and why safeguarding your ideas might be the smartest move you make this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Enterprise explores how businesses can rejuvenate a toxic workplace. This is based on the 2025 Workmonitor research done by Randstad - the world's largest talent agency, which reveals 59% of talent resigned to leave toxic workplaces. To learn more about the impact of a toxic workplace towards a business, we speak with Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia and Dr Siti Khadijah Zainal Badri, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology and Wellbeing, Institute of Work, Organisation & Wellbeing, University of Nottingham Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is equity crowdfunding (ECF) really a viable option for serious investors, or is it a playground for “dumb money” and bloated valuations? On Enterprise Explores, we unpack the data, dispel myths, and debate the future of this funding model with Bikesh Lakhmichand of 1337 Capital and Kashminder Singh of pitchIN.Drawing on the latest data from the Securities Commission of Malaysia, we explore the decline in fundraising, shifting investor trends, and growing concerns around deal quality, valuations, and exits.Kashminder and Bikesh discuss the shift toward larger campaigns and dividend-paying companies, the rise in retail investor participation, and address the perception of “low quality deals” in ECF. They also tackle hot-button issues like inflated valuations, limited exit pathways, and the evolving role of angel and institutional investors; alongside insights into due diligence standards, secondary markets, and proposed improvements for the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Enterprise Explores, we reflect on 50 years of Microsoft, one of the most influential tech companies in history. From the rise of personal computing to the cloud and AI revolution, Microsoft’s impact has been felt across industries, economies, and daily life.Joining us is Amin Ashaari, CEO and Co-Founder of SoyaCincau.com, to unpack how Microsoft helped shape the digital era, the legacy of its iconic products, and what the next 50 years could look like as the company continues to push into AI, enterprise solutions, and global sustainability efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raising capital is a major milestone for any startup, but buried in the fine print of a term sheet could be clauses that haunt you for years. From clawbacks to poison pills, the wrong terms can quietly seal your startup’s pending death.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with two ecosystem players who’ve seen both sides of the table: Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair of the Soonicorn Collective and Senior Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia, and Fong Wai Hong, Co-Founder and Chieftain of StoreHub.They break down the most dangerous clauses founders overlook, the rise of “PE-style” terms disguised as VC deals, and how choosing the wrong investor can kill future fundraising.You’ll hear hard-earned advice on negotiating term sheets, spotting red flags, and why chasing inflated valuations could cost you more than equity. Whether you’re fundraising now or preparing for the future, this is essential listening for any founder serious about long-term survival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.