In the last few weeks, start-up ecosystem social media chatter has been buzzing about Fashion Valet (FV). It started out because of a question asked in parliament about the losses of RM43.9 million incurred by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) from the divestment of their in...

The Pitch Deck: Navigating negativity: Harmful impact of unwarranted accusations on start-up ecosystem

I had an interesting conversation with a founder who was in the process of fundraising. He had met many venture capitalists (VCs) and they kept asking him questions about the size of his market and were concerned that the market was not large enough for him locally and within Southeast Asia to ac...

The Pitch Deck: Are venture capital returns requirements a bane for entrepreneurs? 

Entrepreneurs in Malaysia are actually a very lucky lot. They may not think so but if they were to ask their counterparts anywhere else in Asia, they would realise that being a start-up in Malaysia, they are blessed with a highly supportive government with many entrepreneur-related agencies and e...

The Pitch Deck: Is early-stage start-up funding sorted?

If you’re an ardent follower of the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, you will know that the term “Magnificent Seven” refers to the top seven technology stocks listed on the US stock exchanges, namely Amazon, Apple, Alphabet (which owns Google), Meta Platforms (Facebook’s parent), Microsoft, Nvi...

The Pitch Deck: Where are the Malaysian ‘Magnificent Seven’?

I have been speaking about the need to change the start-up funding narrative from the build to flip mentality to building enduring companies in my last few articles. I have also explained why mergers and acquisitions (M&A) do not really work in Malaysia because corporations in the country are...

The Pitch Deck: An IPO is a terrible thing to waste

In my last article (Issue 1510, Feb 12), I spoke of the need to change the start-up funding narrative from a “build and flip” to a “build an enduring business” with an initial public offering (IPO) as a better exit strategy, instead of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) preferred by venture capit...

The Pitch Deck: Don’t count on start-up acquisitions

Welcome to 2024. The last few years, since Covid-19 emerged, have been challenging in many ways, especially for start-ups and the venture capital industry.

The funding winter for start-ups, as venture capitalists (VCs) held back from investing due to the many uncertainties in the market...

The Pitch Deck: Time to change the start-up-venture capital funding narrative

The year 2023 has been a topsy-turvy one for the local tech ecosystem. There have been some challenges, some positives and on the whole, it looks like next year will be a better one for the ecosystem. First, let’s explore some significant issues that were seen in 2023 before I pull out my crystal...

The Pitch Deck: Challenges, opportunities and the road ahead

Budget 2024 was in many ways a good budget for the tech ecosystem, from the RM1.5 billion in funding from government-linked corporations (GLCs) and government-linked investment corporations (GLICs) to the extension of the angel tax incentive and exemption from capital gains tax for venture capita...

The Pitch Deck: Malaysia’s global top 20 ecosystem target: An impossible task?

Hercules, a mythical figure from Greek mythology, was a demigod as he was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Alcmena, a mortal. A legendary figure known for his strength, courage and heroic exploits, Hercules possessed a sense of justice, displayed intelligence, was cunning and used strat...

The Pitch Deck: Finding Hercules

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pursuit of closer ties with China has raised private questions from Donald Trump’s incoming administration, European diplomats and even some senior British officials.

UK's Starmer is deepening China ties while allies turn away

The US Congress passed spending legislation early on Saturday in a down-to-the wire burst of activity that will avert a destabilising government shutdown ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

US Senate passes govt funding bill, averts shutdown

Honda and Nissan are considering producing vehicles in one another's factories as part of their plan to deepen ties and potentially merge, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

Honda and Nissan mulling mutual production of vehicles, Kyodo reports

The Cabinet draft paper on the separation of powers between the attorney general (AG) and the public prosecutor (PP) is expected to be ready by the middle of next year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Draft paper on separation of AG powers expected to be ready by mid-2025 — PM

The government will continue its Special Appreciation for Pensioners (PKKP) initiative, aimed at supporting affected pensioners and derivative pension recipients, to ensure the welfare of this group is well taken care of.

Govt to continue special appreciation for pensioners — PM

The Johor government has completed seven housing projects, categorised as ‘sick’ and abandoned, this year, representing an estimated property value of about RM700 million.

Seven 'sick' housing projects worth RM700m completed in Johor, says exco

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) expects inflation to rise in 2025, driven by domestic policy reforms such as RON95 fuel subsidy rationalisation and an expanded sales and service tax (SST) scope.

HLIB sees higher inflation in 2025 on RON95 subsidy rationalisation, expanded SST scope

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated his commitment to upholding judicial independence and advancing governance reforms, stressing that he has not interfered in judicial matters during his two years in office.

Anwar says never interfered in judiciary, no compromise on any power abuse in Cabinet

The Malaysian government is constantly striving to repatriate its citizens who have fallen victim to job scams in Myanmar, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

No let-up in efforts to repatriate job scam victims from Myanmar, says Tok Mat

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday called for an immediate end to any narratives involving racial profiling in the context of aid distribution and efforts to combat hardcore poverty in the country.

Anwar calls for end to racial profiling narratives in tackling hardcore poverty

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced on Friday evening several temporary measures to address the uproar over the sizeable medical insurance premium hikes that insurance and takaful operators deem necessary to cover the higher costs of medical services.

Who pays the price of runaway healthcare inflation?

Highway users nationwide will enjoy toll-free travel&nbsp;on Dec 23 and 24, in conjunction with&nbsp;Christmas celebration.

Christmas: Toll-free travel for Class 1 vehicles on all highways on Dec 23 and 24

In a&nbsp;Vanity Fair&nbsp;video&nbsp;last month, Lisa, a member of mega&nbsp;K-pop&nbsp;band Blackpink, shared her obsession with toys from Chinese company Pop Mart International Group Ltd.&nbsp;

China's hottest stock Pop Mart rockets 370% on craze for collectibles

Wall Street surged on Friday and the dollar softened as cooler-than-expected inflation data helped investors look past the possibility of a government shutdown and fresh tariff threats from US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump.

US stocks end sharply higher, dollar drops after inflation report

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that an amicable solution will be taken to address the ongoing dispute between&nbsp;Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Sarawak's state-owned oil and gas (O&amp;G) company Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) over the distribution of natural gas in Sarawak.

PM: Amicable solution in the works for Petronas-Petros dispute over natural gas distribution

The Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) has warned that it will take a firm stance against associations that openly announce price hikes, minimum pricing or new trading conditions, particularly through the media.

MyCC warns stern action against cartel activities by associations

The US&nbsp;Congress passed spending legislation early on Saturday in a down-to-the wire burst of activity that will avert a destabilising government shutdown ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

Singapore’s main stock index is on track to have its best annual performance since 2017, but any celebrations over the Straits Times Index’s 15% gain so far this year are likely to be overshadowed by doubts about what lies ahead.&nbsp;

Singapore stocks’ best year since 2017 masks downbeat outlook

Alphabet Inc’s Google called a US Justice Department (DOJ) plan to force it to sell its web browser “extreme” and at odds with the law, urging a Federal Court judge to take caution lest he stifle innovation and future investment.

Google blasts Chrome sale as ‘extreme’ remedy at odds with law

Volkswagen AG (VW) reached an agreement with labour leaders to cut capacity at its namesake brand while avoiding factory closures, capping three months of tense negotiations and preventing further union walkouts.

VW, union agree to cut capacity and keep German plants open

At first glance,&nbsp;Sony Group Corp’s US$1.2 billion (RM5.4&nbsp;billion) acquisition of the anime streaming site Crunchyroll in 2021 looks like a success. Subscribers to the US$8-a-month service have tripled to 15 million since then, and the number of new shows has doubled to more than 50 every quarter.

Sony's Crunchyroll finds its early lead in anime under attack

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected in&nbsp;Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor and&nbsp;Johor until 4pm on Saturday.

Thunderstorms in six states until 4pm on Saturday — MetMalaysia

Qualcomm Inc prevailed at trial against Arm Holdings plc’s claim that it breached a licence for chip technology that the world’s largest maker of mobile-phone processors acquired when it bought a startup in 2021.&nbsp;

Qualcomm defeats Arm’s claim over chip design licence breach

The launch of a new direct route from Chennai to Penang, via IndiGo, commencing on Saturday, marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity, generating economic opportunities, and solidifying Penang’s position as a regional air travel hub.

Direct route from Chennai elevates Penang as key regional air travel hub, says exco

The election of Donald Trump will usher in a wave of private-company purchases that had previously been slowed by red tape, investor Cathie Wood said in an interview, in which she also reiterated her ultra-bullish view on bitcoin.

Cathie Wood predicts wave of startup M&A after Trump election, ultra-bullish on bitcoin

The government will continue its Special Appreciation for Pensioners (PKKP) initiative, aimed at supporting affected pensioners and derivative pension recipients, to ensure the welfare of this group is well taken care of.

Honda and&nbsp;Nissan are considering producing vehicles in one another's factories as part of their plan to&nbsp;deepen ties&nbsp;and potentially merge, Japan's Kyodo news agency said on Saturday.

Nippon&nbsp;Steel alleges the White House had "impermissible undue influence" over a national security review of its US$14.9 billion (RM67.2&nbsp;billion) bid for US&nbsp;Steel and threatened legal action if the deal is blocked.

Nippon Steel alleges undue White House influence on doomed US Steel deal review, letter says

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House in January, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence in Malaysia’s ability to safeguard its foreign policy and economic priorities amid&nbsp;evolving global dynamics.

Malaysia to adapt to Trump era, says Anwar

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) expects inflation to rise in 2025, driven by domestic policy reforms such as RON95 fuel subsidy rationalisation and an expanded sales and service&nbsp;tax (SST) scope. &nbsp;

Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌