Strategic Partnership Aims to Foster Business Growth, Innovation, and High- Value Job Creation while Strengthening Malaysia's Digital Economy
 
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), in collaboration with BEYOND4, successfully hosted the Strategic Engagement Session 2026 on Malaysia’s Start-Up Ecosystem today at MIDA, Kuala Lumpur. The session brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and relevant Malaysian start-up ecosystem partners to explore strategies for positioning Malaysia as a leading regional hub for high-growth start-ups and innovation.
 
The half-day programme aimed to foster collaboration, explore investment opportunities, and identify strategic interventions that can accelerate the development of a world-class start-up ecosystem in the country.
 
The session started with an Opening Address by Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim bin Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, who highlighted the nation’s commitment to strengthening its innovation landscape and supporting high- potential technology companies. He emphasised that while MIDA has traditionally focused on investment promotion, the agency is now expanding its role as an ecosystem connector, linking start-ups, corporates, investors, research institutions, and Government agencies.
 
“Start-ups are key drivers of innovation, industrial growth, and economic transformation,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim. “Through initiatives such as this Strategic Engagement Session, MIDA aims to enhance start-up visibility, facilitate industry linkages, and provide structured support to help these ventures scale and access both domestic and regional markets.”
 
Mr. S.T. Rubaneswaran, Chief Executive Officer of BEYOND4, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the importance of integrated talent development, innovation frameworks, and partnerships in catalysing start-up growth across Malaysia.

Knowledge Sharing and High-Impact Discussions
 
The session also featured a Start-Up Sharing Session, where founders shared real- world experiences, highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage ventures.
 
A panel discussion on Strategies to Create a World-Class Start-Up Ecosystem in Malaysia brought together leaders from:
 
a) Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd.;
b) Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB);
c) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM); and
d) Qarbotech Sdn. Bhd.
 
The discussions focused on enhancing Malaysia’s attractiveness to global innovators, strengthening ecosystem connectivity, nurturing investable start- ups, and creating sustainable pathways for commercialisation and regional expansion.
 
Participants also explored cross-agency collaborations to support talent pipelines, technology adoption, and scaling opportunities across key sectors, reflecting MIDA’s commitment to facilitate start-up growth, foster partnerships, and integrate innovative solutions into Malaysia’s broader industrial and investment ecosystem.
 
In conjunction with the event, Yayasan Pahang launched the Pahang Startup Blueprint 2030, a strategic framework to strengthen the state’s start-up ecosystem, developed with contributions from MIDA and Beyond4. The initiative reflects MIDA’s collaboration with the state government and the shared commitment of key stakeholders to support innovation and sustainable ecosystem development.
 
The Strategic Engagement Session 2026 underscores MIDA’s role not just as the government’s principal investment promotion agency, but a proactive enabler of innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring that Malaysia remains a competitive and attractive destination for start-ups, investors, and industry partners alike.

Refer this link for contact details and enquiries: https://tinyurl.com/3u8kvfbb 

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Mr. Awangku Fiarulnazri Awang Tajudin
Head of Corporate Strategy and Revenue Management Section
Tel: +603-2267 6682
Email: awangku@mida.gov.my
 
BEYOND4
Name: Ms. Syarifah Syaidatul Izzati
Tel: +60179339787
Email: izzati@beyond4.tech 

--BERNAMA