MYStartup, in collaboration with Digital Penang, continues its second NXT journey for the year in Penang. Aimed to accelerate startup growth in the northern region, the MYStartup NXT Penang 2024 delved into multiple strategies for startups to fast-track their ventures’ successes and elevate to new heights.
Strategic Collaboration to Accelerate Startup Growth
An initiative by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and spearheaded by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) through MYStartup, the one-day micro conference highlighted untapped opportunities in Southeast Asia’s emerging markets for startups in Penang to explore. During the fireside chat session, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle, asserted his confidence in Malaysian startups, noted that not only are they catalysts for growth but the very engine of progress, addressing unique problems with disruptive solutions, creating jobs, stimulating the economy, and attracting foreign investment.
Ts. Ng Kwang Ming, CEO of Digital Penang, said that Penang’s startups are at a pivotal juncture, benefitting significantly from state-driven initiatives that have cultivated a dynamic environment for innovation and growth.
“Our concerted efforts with MYStartup are not only nurturing a sustainable technology startup ecosystem but are also pivotal in leading Penang’s digital transformation towards realising our vision of a Smart State by 2030.”
The Potential of Penang’s Startup Ecosystem
Aside from the fireside chat, the MYStartup NXT Penang 2024 also featured spotlight sessions, bringing in both local and regional industry leaders to share their insights on crucial topics related to startup growth, such as seed funding, business development, strategic partnerships, and government and corporate resources. The lineup of speakers and panellists includes experts from Cradle, Digital Penang, NEXEA, ADA Biotech, Niagawan Plus, Cyberview, Petronas Ventures, and Allianz.
Furthermore, attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about startup funding during the ‘What’s Up Grant’ and ‘Deal Hustlers’ sessions. The former highlighted Cradle’s funding programme, CIP Spark and CIP Sprint, while the latter curated and matched connections between founders and investors like Artem Ventures, Farquhar Venture Capital, First Move, and NEXEA.
Held for the second time in Penang, this year’s MYStartup NXT Penang has garnered more than 160 attendees, including startup founders, investors, corporate and ecosystem partners, and university students. Since first launched in 2022, the micro-conference has travelled to five (5) states nationwide, including Selangor, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak, and Penang. To date, the MYStartup NXT has attracted over 2,600 attendees and featured more than 100 seasoned figures spanning diverse industries.
Growing Impact and Future Plans of MYStartup NXT
Curated for the local startup ecosystem, NXT is one of MYStartup’s various capacity building programmes aimed to address challenges faced by Malaysian startups in their path to the market, bridging the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable success.
Following the conclusion of this year’s NXT in Johor and Penang, MYStartup will continue its mission as Malaysia’s Single Window to bring ecosystem players together towards building a high performing, globalised, inclusive, and sustainable startup ecosystem. Additionally, MYStartup NXT seeks to broaden its reach, exploring potential states in the East Coast region.
