SHAH ALAM, 1 June 2024 — Eight (8) local startups selected by the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) to participate in the Pitch Malaysia 2024 Programme have made significant strides in Tokyo, impressing industry leaders across a series of high-profile events.
From May 12 to 18, 2024, these dynamic companies attended three (3) industry-specific site visits, participated in two (2) major conferences, delivered powerful pitches in three (3) sessions, engaged with ten (15) venture capitalists, and capitalised on three (3) networking sessions, effectively showcasing their innovative solutions and securing promising opportunities for expansion and collaboration.
The startups that participated include VirtualTech Frontier, Ejen2U, Zucca, Imagine AI, Vimigo, Voice For Health, Pay Recon, and Eventsize.
Throughout the week, they visited leading Japanese innovation hubs like Leave a Nest Japan, located at the Center of Garage (CoG) which is a unique incubation place for Deep Tech startups such as Instalimb. They also participated in two key conferences—SusHi Tech Expo Tokyo and Startup JAPAN 2024. Meanwhile the participants also joined major networking sessions such as the ASEAN TechCrossroads Mixer in Tokyo, which brought together over 60 tech startups from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. They also participated in various industry-related visits including Plug & Play Japan, Kepple Capital Japan, and the Kawasaki Business Incubation Center (KBIC).
Pitch Malaysia 2024 delegation industry visit at Center of Garage in Japan
The initiative, part of Sidec’s ongoing efforts to foster global competitiveness among local startups, aimed at giving these companies a platform to showcase their innovations and explore international business opportunities. The delegation, led by YB Ng Sze Han, Selangor Executive Council Member for Investment, Trade, and Mobility was also accompanied by YB Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Fadzli bin Ahmad Tajuddin, the Selangor State Financial Officer, Tn Hj Ts. Saipolyazan M Yusop, CEO of Menteri Besar Selangor 1 (Incorporated), YM Raja Ahmad Shahrir Iskandar bin Raja Salim, CEO of Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad.
“Seeing our startups perform on this international platform has been immensely gratifying,” said YB Ng Sze Han. “Their innovative spirit and the recognition they’ve garnered underscore Selangor’s commitment to fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
In a meeting with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Selangor State Government shared ideas of potential bilateral collaboration between the Selangor and the Japanese Government to increase global market access for our startups. It is pivotal for Selangor to tap into the world’s fourth-largest economy. Japan now hosts some 10,000 startups, three times more than Malaysia.
One of the highlights of the series was the commendable achievement of Entomal, a proud alumni of Sidec’s Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP) 2022, which won a Special Prize at the SusHi Tech Challenge. Competing against 507 entries from 43 countries, Entomal’s success is a testament to the global competitiveness of Selangor’s startups.
Pitch Malaysia 2024 delegation at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024, Japan
Parallel to this, another strategic expedition led by YB Ng with representatives from local councils ventured into Osaka and Tokyo, diving deep into cutting-edge mobility solutions. They experienced first-hand how Japan harnesses technology for sustainable public transport, from the Willer Autonomous Bus to innovative IoT applications, setting a benchmark for Selangor’s future initiatives.
As the Pitch Malaysia Tokyo Series concludes, the Selangor delegation is inspired and ready to implement the valuable knowledge and connections gained. This event has not only showcased their capabilities but also positioned Selangor as a key player in the global startup ecosystem.