Enterprise Explores

What’s on the mind of Malaysians’ as we approach 2025?Today on the show, we’re diving into Ipsos’ latest report, What Worries Malaysia?, which looks at key insights into the nation’s economic optimism, consumer confidence, and growing concerns. With 7 out of 10 Malaysians believing the country is heading in the right direction, we explore the challenges ahead, including corruption and rising crime concerns. Joining us to break it all down is Kiranjit Singh, Regional APAC Lead at Ipsos Strategy3.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southeast Asia’s startup ecosystem is growing, but is the Silicon Valley playbook holding it back? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, I speak with Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair of the Soonicorn Collective and Senior Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator, about the pitfalls of adapting Silicon Valley’s approach to Southeast Asia—especially in Malaysia.We dive into the revenue-driven pressures faced by startups, question whether the $100 million revenue benchmark is realistic for the region, and explore how rethinking valuations could unlock Southeast Asia’s true entrepreneurial potential. Dr. Siva also unpacks why moving beyond the Silicon Valley mindset might be the key to building sustainable, high-margin ventures that thrive in this unique market.Key areas of discussion include:- Revenue Pressures: Why the $100 million target is unrealistic for Southeast Asian startups and the structural challenges it highlights.- Market Size Dynamics: How VC priorities like market size and revenue multiples often overlook the realities of Southeast Asia’s industries.- Rethinking Valuations and Mindsets: The need for alternative valuation methods that better reflect Southeast Asia’s market potential, with a focus on building profitable, high-margin businesses.- VC Dynamics: The pressures on venture capitalists to deliver high returns and how that impacts funding strategies in Southeast Asia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we explore into the evolving landscape of carbon markets and the crucial role of carbon credits in Malaysia's decarbonisation journey. As businesses face increasing pressure to reduce emissions, carbon credits have become a key tool to achieve climate goals, but not without significant challenges. Integrity, cost, and the changing dynamics of both voluntary and compliance markets are reshaping how organisations approach their climate commitments.We speak with Arina Kok, EY Asia-Pacific Climate Change Advisory Leader and Asean Climate Change and Sustainability Services Co-Leader, to explore how Malaysian businesses can strategically integrate carbon credits, navigate regulatory frameworks, and leverage co-benefits to enhance their brand value.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent shortfalls of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign had highlighted how missteps in communications and strategic alignment can impact even the most high-profile initiatives, showing how essential clear communication, and a deep understanding of audience needs are to any initiative’s success.In today’s business environment, the lines between internal alignment and external success is blurred, making it critical for public-facing and internal campaigns to build trust and cohesion within the organisation first.Cilia Rasasegram, Chief Experience Officer at Kindler Employee Experience Project, joins us to break down what makes or breaks a campaign. Together, we also explore the parallels between impactful campaign strategies and strong organizational culture, uncovering lessons that can resonate from the boardroom to the brand message.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early-stage investing is inherently risky, with failure a natural part of the process, so was the public’s reaction to the Fashion Valet saga—a RM44 million loss for Khazanah and PNB — justified, or an overreaction? And what role should GLICs and other large institutions play in the venture capital and startup ecosystem? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack key lessons to learn from the Fashion Valet saga with Kevin Brockland, Managing Partner at Indelible Ventures.We dive into the challenges, complexities, and strategic considerations for public funds in high-risk startup investing. Kevin also shares insights on the specialised skills needed for early-stage investing, the importance of transparency, and how processes like releasing investment memos and committee minutes may help restore public trust.We also explore how Malaysia’s GLICs could more effectively support the startup ecosystem by leveraging private sector expertise and adopting successful fund-of-funds models through initiatives like Jelawang Capital.Key insights from the interview include:- Understanding Startup Risk: Why the high failure rate in early-stage investing demands specialised knowledge.- Differentiating Failure Types: The importance of distinguishing between “failure of outcome” (expected risks in startups) and “failure of process” (investment missteps).- Strategic Investment Approaches for GLICs: Why public institutions may be better suited to supporting startups via grants or fund-of-funds models rather than direct investments.- GLICs’ Role in Innovation: How Malaysia’s GLICs can enhance innovation by partnering with private sector experts and specialised fund managers.- Advantages of the Fund-of-Funds Model: How Fund-of-Funds Model, like Khazanah’s Jelawang Capital, can strengthen the startup ecosystem by drawing on private expertise.- Setting Public Expectations: Communicating the realities of high-risk investments to the public, especially regarding the inherent risks of loss-making and reinvestment for growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A total of RM20 million has been allocated for the development of the e-sports ecosystem under the Budget 2025 and RM10 million from that total amount will be used for constructing a new e-sports stadium. But, is this a step in the right direction for Malaysia's e-sports industry?In today's episode of Enterprise Explores, we explore how the proposed initiatives in the Budget 2025 support and promote the growth of Malaysia's e-sports industry, what else is the allocated funds going to be used for and whether it addresses the current gaps in the industry at ground-level like talent finding, sponsorships and mentorships, training programs and much more.We speak with Mohd Syazwan bin Mohd Hanafie, Sports Manager at National Sports Council of Malaysia & Tiffani Lim, Athletes Committee Chairperson at International E-sports Federation (IESF) and also Malaysia's women's e-sports team manager.Image Credits: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SMEs are vital to Malaysia’s economy, but breaking into international markets remains challenging due to complex trade regulations and non-tariff measures (NTMs). These barriers, from health standards to labelling requirements, hit smaller firms hardest, limiting their ability to scale beyond borders. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into the impact of NTMs on Malaysian SMEs, especially in sectors like food manufacturing, and discuss potential solutions for easing these restrictions.Joining us is Professor Evelyn Devadason from the Faculty of Business and Economics at University Malaya, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). We’ll discuss policy reforms and the importance of harmonising trade regulations in the region, but also dive into why we should focus on supporting mid-sized companies and high-potential industries to go international, instead of SMEs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between climate change and aging populations, what does it take for a city to thrive and survive in our changing world? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into Kuala Lumpur’s position on the global stage, guided by insights from Arup’s latest Redefining City Competitiveness report.This report, released by the global design and consultancy firm Arup, introduces a new framework for evaluating cities based on resilience, governance, liveability, and loveability—expanding beyond traditional economic metrics.Kuala Lumpur, identified as an “aspiring” global city, shines in areas like green infrastructure and urban management but faces challenges in inclusivity and mobility. Joining us to discuss the factors driving Kuala Lumpur’s growth and its global competitiveness is Murali Ram, Malaysia Lead for Cities & Advisory at Arup. Together, we explore what KL can learn from other cities as it continues its climb.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we dive into the rapid growth of Malaysia’s digital economy, fueled by massive investments in AI, cloud storage and data centres. With tech giants like Google ($2B), Oracle ($6.5B), Microsoft, Nvidia, and ByteDance pouring billions into the region, Malaysia is becoming a hub for cloud services and AI development.Join us in our conversation with Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice Chancellor for External Engagement at Taylor's University as we explore the far-reaching implications of these investments on Malaysia’s economy, from job creation and tech talent development to the future of local businesses and innovation. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on how Malaysia is positioning itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your consumer brand ready to take the leap into international markets? What are the key strategies APAC’s biggest FMCG brands have used to tap into overseas markets to drive revenue? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we delve into the global ambitions of Asia-Pacific FMCG companies and the essential strategies driving their international success.With overseas revenue now outpacing domestic growth for many of the region's top firms, global expansion has become a critical pathway for sustained growth. Joining us is Praneeth Yendamuri, Partner at Bain & Company, who shares insights from Bain’s report on internationalisation, examining the drivers, challenges, and growth strategies for FMCGs in Asia.We explore the decision-making process, from selecting expansion pathways to managing risks in mergers and acquisitions, and outline practical steps for building a successful global presence.Tune in as we discuss the latest trends, strategic approaches, and pitfalls to avoid for Asia-Pacific FMCGs looking to thrive internationally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.