When you go through security bag scans, have you ever wondered about how it works or do you just find it a hassle and wish the checks would move faster? Well, today look into the world of security technology in the field of cargo and baggage scanning solutions. We speak to Lee Yuh Jiunn, the General Manager of Billion Prima, a Malaysian company specialising in developing and deploying cargo scanners. With over 15 years of experience, the company has evolved from a service provider to a manufactu...
Sep 02, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Could turning ugly fruits into gelato be worth quitting university? For Hailey Yong, it was. At just 20, Hailey, CEO and Founder of The Unusual Greens, left her studies behind to pursue TUG Gelato full-time, an enterprise that transforms imperfect and surplus fruits into delicious gelato. What began as a student competition idea in the HULT Prize has grown from a home kitchen project to a 123 sqft central kitchen, and now to two outlets, including a fully-equipped central kitchen. Among other th...
Sep 01, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast OGAWA, an iconic household name in the health and wellness industry that most Malaysians are familiar with – it doesn’t sound Malaysian but did you know that it is indeed a Malaysian brand? What started as a passion for enhancing lives through innovative wellness solutions, and from its humble beginnings in 1996, OGAWA has grown into a recognisable brand, changing the way we think about relaxation and well-being. In our conversation today with Leong Boon Hong, the Director of OGAWA Malaysia, we ...
Aug 29, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Does Malaysia really need another regulated crypto exchange? We explore that very question as we dive into the journey of HATA, Malaysia's latest digital asset exchange platform, with David Low, Co-Founder and CEO of HATA. Founded in 2023, HATA is Malaysia’s 5th licensed Digital Asset Exchange (DAX) and the first to receive full approval from the Securities Commission (SC) since the regulator reopened DAX licence applications in November 2022. David is no stranger to the crypto space having prev...
Aug 28, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Founded in 2015, IGL Coatings develops and manufactures surface protection solutions, particularly known for its low and zero Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ceramic coatings. In the last 9 years, it has expanded its presence to over 50 countries and aims to offer high-performance, eco-friendly functional coatings for automotive, marine, aviation, and industrial applications. With a stated commitment to sustainability, IGL Coatings has developed products that it says not only perform exception...
Aug 27, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Supply chains and warehouses are the lifeblood of any high-volume business, yet many still operate with outdated methods. In today’s competitive environment, where margins are slim and every advantage counts, this could be a costly mistake. In this episode of Open For Business, we explore how Hatio, a provider of omnichannel fulfillment services and technology, is revolutionizing the supply chain industry in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2012 as HatioLab in South Korea, Hatio expanded to Malaysia i...
Aug 26, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast On August 21st, BFM hosted the Enterprise Breakaway: From Farm to Franchise event, where industry experts and seasoned F&B operators explored the critical elements required to build a successful and lasting F&B business in Malaysia. In the panel session titled "Start, Survive, and Thrive," BFM spoke with Patrick Sim, Managing Director of Secret Recipe, and Jessica Li, Co-Founder and COO of Pop Meals. Both shared their unique perspectives on managing and scaling F&B businesses, emphas...
Aug 25, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast On August 21st, BFM hosted the Enterprise Breakaway: From Farm to Franchise event, where industry experts and seasoned F&B operators explored what it takes to build a successful and lasting F&B franchise in Malaysia. In the Founder Fireside: Building a Malaysian Franchise session, I spoke with Bryan Loo, the Founder and CEO of Loob Holdings, the organisation behind the Tealive brand and the up-and-coming coffee chain, BaskBear. Bryan shares his journey from being a biotechnology graduate...
Aug 22, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast How did Wonderboys Cleaning turn RM4,000 in startup capital into a business that makes RM600,000 in annual revenue? From doom scrolling on Instagram at 2 a.m. to building a thriving cleaning services business, today we dive into Sathya Selvarajah’s journey with Wonderboys Cleaning. Launched in 2019 with just RM4,000 in startup capital, what began as a university side hustle has grown into a full-fledged business generating RM600,000 in annual revenue with strong margins. With over 500 clients se...
Aug 21, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of Open For Business, we welcome Dino Loh, Director of Swing & Pillows, Malaysia's largest co-living and hotel chain operator. Dino shares insights into the company's recent expansion into Bukit Bintang with the acquisition of five hotels under the Kingston brand. This move strengthens Swing & Pillows' presence in key locations, offering a range of accommodations from entry-level to premium. We’ll discuss how this acquisition positions the brand for future growth and its ...
Aug 19, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tired of swiping? Swipeless is on a mission to bring back real-life dating through curated, offline activities. This platform connects singles not through screens, but through shared experiences—think pizza-making workshops, hiking trips, quiz nights, and board game sessions. With about 700 members and growing, Swipeless is focused on enhancing genuine interactions in an increasingly digital world. Founder Shan Li aims to rekindle the magic of in-person connections with a fresh, curated approach...
Aug 18, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Salad Atelier, possibly the first name to come to mind when one craves a fresh and delicious salad, especially when you think of its poke bowls and the joy of customising your own meal to perfection. As Salad Atelier celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, we speak with the Founder, Dylan Lee, to reflect on a decade of growth and innovation. Salad Atelier has added flavour to the Malaysian food scene with its commitment to healthy, delicious, and sustainable dining. With over 30 outlets and p...
Aug 15, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast How can homeowners make the switch to solar energy without breaking the bank? Founded in 2022, Okapi Solar is on a mission to make solar power more accessible to homeowners by offering financing solutions that eliminate the high upfront costs typically associated with solar panel installations. Okapi buys the solar panels first, and then leases it to homeowners. Zhern Yung and Christopher, both with backgrounds in banking and engineering, share their journey of leaving the corporate world to ven...
Aug 13, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast We talk to Harith Aqil, the founder of LOOKOO, a local F&B startup that’s set to change how we think about doughnuts with their unique twist—doughnut balls. Inspired by his time in Melbourne, Harith launched LOOKOO in 2022 with the help of his childhood best friend. Their delicious doughnut balls have quickly gained popularity, available not only in their physical store but also through food delivery platforms like GrabFood, Foodpanda, and ShopeeFood. We discuss with Harith about his journey...
Aug 12, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a world dominated by smartphones and tablets, is there still room for a premium stationery and notebook brand? As Mossery celebrates its 10th anniversary as a full-time business, we sit down with Jun Lim, co-founder and CEO of Mossery, to explore the brand’s evolution from a pet project among graphic design students to a homegrown stationery brand with an international presence. We delve into Mossery's unique journey, discussing the founding story and early challenges, the brand’s design phil...
Aug 11, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Founded in 2015 by a group of friends united by a passion for fitness and a commitment to healthy living, Soluxe Nutrition emerged from a shared desire to redefine the world of nutrition. Dissatisfied with the artificial-laden products that dominated the market, these long-time fitness enthusiasts embarked on a mission to create an alternative that not only supports optimal health but also stays true to the power of natural, plant-based ingredients. What began as a small startup with a single fo...
Aug 08, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast With his 20 years of experience in the rubber industry, Steven founded Geomax Rubber in 2018 with the aim to revolutionise the footwear industry by upcycling rejected nitrile gloves into eco-friendly soles and shoes. The company has developed an effective method of converting rejected nitrile gloves into high-performance eco-friendly rubber compounds, leading to the creation of their unique product line under the brand Solewell. Their offerings include safety shoes, sandals, boots, and soles. To...
Aug 07, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast ReU Living builds communities for senior living and post-hospitalization recovery. It's a joint venture between eldercare solutions provider Meaningfull Life Sdn Bhd and Tan & Tan Developments Berhad, a wholly owned subsidiary of IGB Bhd. Anna Chew, following her experience at CARE Concierge, co-founded ReU Living to fill a crucial gap in the market by offering premium eldercare services and post-hospitalization recovery. Described by The Edge as a “retirement village, elder care centre, and...
Aug 06, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast We speak with Yeo Kwong Jin, Founder at Fiskor, a contemporary Malaysian cracker brand which uses cutting edge technology in the production of lekor chips. We’ll discuss Jin’s rationale for entering the lekor business as well as how the business is managing the challenges in a tough and challenging F&B industry and their future ambitions going forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 05, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast CloudJoi is a ticketing service, streaming platform, and community hub designed for the performing arts. Founded in 2020 as CloudTheatre, the company has undergone several rebranding phases, evolving into CloudJoi in 2022. Since its inception, the platform has supported over 1,800 shows, partnered with more than 400 organizers, facilitated the sale of over 600,000 tickets, and generated over RM30 million in Gross Merchandise Value. With strategic funding from Cradle in 2022 and expansion into Ta...
Aug 04, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast We hear from Big Tiny, a property development company transforming the dream of serene, nature-immersed living into a reality. Founded by Jeff Yeo and his co-founders Adrian and Dave, Big Tiny combines eco-friendly tiny homes with the beauty of nature, offering a sustainable travel experience. With an initial investment of S$100,000, they broke even in their first year and now boast a portfolio of 300 tiny houses across the globe. In this episode, Jeff Yeo shares their journey from inception to ...
Aug 01, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paywatch is a financial services company that provides earned wage access (EWA) services to help employees get banked, receive credit, and improve their access to financial products. Richard Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of Paywatch, founded the business in 2019 with his brother Alex. Together, they have built Paywatch as the only bank-backed and regulator-approved Earned Wage Access solution in Asia. Today, they have expanded their business not only in Malaysia and South Korea but also in other Asia ...
Jul 31, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Founded in 2017 with the aim to redefine workspaces, Infinity8 today offers dynamic coworking environments that cater to both local and international businesses. With a focus on flexibility and comprehensive support services, Infinity8 provides not just physical space but also recruitment, HR payroll, and enterprise solutions. These offerings make it a differentiating player in easing market entry for foreign companies and supporting Malaysia's economic framework. Today we speak to Lee Sheah Lia...
Jul 30, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we speak with Ashvin Praveen, Co-founder and CEO of Cleve.ai . They're an AI-powered content workspace for creators to create, get inspired, and organise content with one tool. Ashvin founded the business back in December 2023 with his co-founders, Lizzie and Rashad, after the company secured funding from Antler, the global early-stage VC firm, earlier this year. Since their inception, Cleve has now grown to have over 120 weekly active users and steadily growing after also securing ...
Jul 29, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of Open for Business, we dive into the world of mental wellness with Madiha Fuad, Founder and CEO of PlusVibes. Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, PlusVibes is a platform that combines digital and in-person mental health services, bringing together mental health associations, volunteer listeners, and campaigners on an all-in-one app. With over 50,000 users, PlusVibes provides tools for self-development and motivation, including data reports on employee well-being and curated w...
Jul 23, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast We speak with Paresh Subramaniyam, Founder and CEO of Engage Life, a wellness company offering holistic health and well-being solutions for individuals and businesses. With clients like Motorola Solutions Malaysia, SME Bank Malaysia, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, and Continental Automotive Components Malaysia, Engage Life covers various dimensions of wellness, including environmental, physical, financial, mental, and social well-being. Paresh will share the journey of founding Engage Life, the cha...
Jul 22, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast "The stress. The quantum of stress. To prepare a case that you need to do the submissions the next day, (that can take) 15-16 hours. You ask the young lawyer, they can't do it, they say they want a work-life balance. A lot of junior lawyers are leaving the profession because of the intense workload and lack of balance." In this episode of Open for Business, we sit down with Francis Lui, Founder, CEO, and CTO of NexLaw.ai , an AI-powered legal trial copilot that provides innovative AI-driven solu...
Jul 21, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast How do you feel when you hear the phrase team building? When your company tells you that you are going on an offsite team building weekend, do you moan and groan, or do you feel supercharged about it? Hopefully, today’s episode on Open for Business will help you - employers and employees alike - see team building in a different light. In the business world today, team building has evolved beyond simple icebreakers and trust falls. It has become a vital component of corporate culture and organisa...
Jul 18, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Open for Business, we speak with Dalia Alkatiri, Founder and Managing Director of Bakin Love, a Malaysian-based baking business that sells fail-proof baking premixes to consumers and businesses. Founded in December 2022, Bakin Love is present across e-commerce platforms like Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, and The Noor, but also physical retailers like Village Grocer. Dalia shares her journey from being a startup advisor to an active business owner, the challenges she faced along the ...
Jul 17, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In recent years, Malaysia's digital economy has undergone a remarkable transformation, fundamentally reshaping how consumers interact with businesses and services. The travel sector, in particular, has seen significant shifts, with online transactions becoming an integral part of daily life. This rapid digitalisation, accelerated by the pandemic a few years ago, has changed consumer behaviour and driven substantial economic value through digital platform business models. Amidst this progressivel...
Jul 15, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
