Malaysia
Did you know one of the ancient names of Malaysia in 150 AD was Aurea Chersonesus, which means 'peninsula of gold'?
Although modern Malaysia isn’t a major producer of gold, it has the possibility to mint 10 potential unicorns . in the next decade, according to a KPMG-HSBC report.
Grab has its origins in Malaysia in the form MyTeksi app based in Kuala Lumpur. It moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2014.
CoinGecko, a cryptocurrency data aggregator that tracks price, volume, social and developer stats also hails from Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia’s thriving entrepreneurial scene can be attributed to the support and commitment of the Malaysian government.
The National Entrepreneurship Policy (NEP) 2030 is formulated with the aim to foster a conducive entrepreneurial ecosystem and for Malaysia to become an outstanding entrepreneurial nation by 2030. Through this policy, various programmes such as market access, and technology transfer were established to further strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape.
Check out the article Understanding Tech Startups in Malaysia to learn more about tech startups that originated and are based in Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and one of the most populous cities in Southeast Asia. The city is a major financial centre and is home to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. The Garden City of Lights is also a hub for large number of entrepreneurship and startups.
The entrepreneurial scene in Kuala Lumpur is robust and dynamic. Business establishments are flourishing and budding entrepreneurs are setting up their shops in Kuala Lumpur
According to Startup Genome’s “The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2022: Top 100 Emerging Ecosystems” , Kuala Lumpur is ranked second for top 10 emerging ecosystems by ecosystem value: just behind Detroit and ahead of Hong Kong. The city is also home to a number of venture capital firms and angel investors. Kuala Lumpur’s entrepreneurial scene is supported by a number of government initiatives, including the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Malaysia is part of the locations for a three-month NOC Southeast Asia programme. There will also be a standalone 6-month programme. The inaugural intakes for the programmes will commence in 2024.
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1Ten potential unicorns in Malaysia, according to report by HSBC, KPMG
2 Top 10 Emerging Ecosystems by Ecosystem Value
Alumni Voices
Kayla Mary Susanto
NOC Malaysia Alumna | May 2024 Intake
College of Design & Engineering | Material Science and Engineering
After grappling with surgery, I was contemplating on not going to my NOC, but good thing I forced myself to go as I think my time in Malaysia was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn't trade with anything else! My company, Qarbotech was amazing, as I got to explore a triple role within my internship and gain exposure into a totally new field of work. The experience was definitely enriching, meaningful and super fun. I highly encourage everyone to sign up on NOC Malaysia to experience something new as their internship.
Kedar Pai
NOC Malaysia Alumnus | May 2024 Intake
NUS Business School | BBA
My 3 months spent in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a Business Development Intern at Carbon GPT was an unbelievable experience. I am truly grateful all the individuals in making my journey here so fruitful and rewarding. I have definitely seen myself grow as a person from someone who used to not be so open about my ideas to sharing my perspective and taking charge on various front.
With my time at Carbon GPT, I gained substantial insights on the dynamic startup environment. I was able to witness the company being restructured int three core departments of Technology, Product and Business Development. I took charge and participated in various different projects from development of marketing materials, client communication, leads management, sales strategies and pricing models. This highlighted the importance of planning and adapting in such a fast-paced environment.
I was able to learn personally and develop an entrepreneurial mindset during my time at Carbon GPT. I honed my pitching skills, assessed market fit, influenced strategic decision and built my resilience that will be instrumental to my journey as a budding entrepreneur.
Moreover, observing the company in such proximity has given me the confidence and knowledge to kick-start my own entrepreneurial journey. I will cherish all the memories and relationships I have made in this short span on 3 months here in KL.
Ho Wei Hao
NOC Malaysia Alumnus | Jan 2024 Intake
College of Design & Engineering | Electrical Engineering
Working at Carbon GPT has been transformative. Despite starting with limited software skills, I received exceptional guidance that expanded my expertise. The founders supported my development, using my hardware and IoT experience to enhance my skills. They also helped me improve soft skills like public speaking. My colleagues’ dedication and mentorship were invaluable, helping me achieve significant milestones and supporting my personal pursuits. Carbon GPT has made this experience deeply enriching.
I embraced the chance to forge new connections and immerse myself fully in the local culture and entrepreneurial scene by making new friends, going to startups events and experiencing the country beyond the typical tourist path.
My time in Malaysia has been incredibly rewarding. From forming meaningful friendships and achieving professional milestones to gaining insights into local cultures and communities, I’ve come to cherish this experience. Though I was initially disappointed about not joining NOC Europe, I now look forward to returning to Malaysia to visit my new friends and continue my journey of exploration and growth.
Take every opportunity to explore new activities and make connections. Embrace NOC Malaysia as a chance to step out of your comfort zone and discover new perspectives.
We also hope to get more NUS juniors to join the NOC Malaysia programme to discover their unique entrepreneurship paths here in Malaysia. Read my journey here.