On this episode of Open For Business, we explore how Visual Retale is using technology to transform the out-of-home (OOH) advertising landscape in Malaysia. Established a decade ago, Visual Retale has evolved from an OOH media owner to a comprehensive OOH media practice, boasting a network of over 32,000 outdoor and indoor screens across Malaysia. Sai, the founder, joins us to discuss their latest tool, Playdooh, launched in September Playdooh provides dynamic solutions tailored for advertisers ...
Nov 07, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast From cabin crew to automotive CEO. In this episode of Open For Business, we dive into the remarkable journey of Feytech Holdings, a Malaysian automotive accessories manufacturer that has grown from producing small-scale leather seat covers to supplying complete car seats for global OEMs. CEO Connie Go, who took the company public earlier this year with a successful RM114 million IPO on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market, joins us to share how this family business has transformed over the last 20 years...
Nov 06, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Can a hot dog be more than simple franchised fast food here in Malaysia? In this episode of Open For Business, we explore the journey of Sausage Sizzle, a homegrown Malaysian brand on a mission to elevate the humble hot dog into a premium dining experience. Co-Founder Nazri Adam shares how Sausage Sizzle grew from a single stall into a recognized brand, with aspirations to expand through both food trucks and potentially fully-fledged outlets. Nazri discusses the brand’s evolution from event-base...
Nov 05, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast From car mats to a regional brand on track to hit RM100 million in annual revenue, in this episode of Open For Business, we explore the journey of Malaysian brand Trapo with Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Tzong Lee and Zare Lee, and how these self-identified ‘accidental entrepreneurs’ built this automotive accessories brand. Founded in 2016 with a focus on eco-friendly car mats, Trapo has since expanded into a wide range of car accessories, now operating 25 outlets across Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand...
Nov 04, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is AI the answer to Malaysia’s math failure rate? How could AI transform math in schools? In this episode of Open For Business, we explore how Malaysia-based startup AI Teacher is aiming to revolutionise math education for secondary students with Tupai.ai. Co-founded by Edmond Yap and Andre Sequerah, Tupai.ai uses AI to create a personalised and engaging math tutoring experience, with the ultimate goal of helping students improve their SPM grades. The platform, currently in beta, is attempting t...
Nov 03, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sigma School, founded in 2022, is more than just an online coding bootcamp — it is a bold initiative that aims to redefine tech education in Malaysia. With a focus on real-world skills and job readiness, Sigma School offers a 3-month intensive programme with a unique guarantee: either secure a tech job or get your money back. Today, we’re joined by Deric Yee, the founder of Sigma School, to dive into his journey, the challenges of building an impactful edtech platform, and his vision for t...
Oct 31, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Can local sparkling drink brand Supergulp thrive in the crowded and competitive beverage market? In this episode of Open For Business, we dive into Julian Koh’s journey from e-commerce and food tech roles at companies like Honestbee and Foodpanda to founding Supergulp — a Malaysian sparkling prebiotic drink brand. As Julian shared with Vulcan Post, the idea for Supergulp began with a simple supermarket visit, where he came across Western sparkling prebiotic drinks. Impressed by their taste and l...
Oct 29, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast We speak with Sheyong Tan, Co-Founder of BiiB, a wellness tech startup that’s changing the game in Malaysia’s fitness landscape. From Malaysia’s largest running league, RUNLIGA, to scalable corporate wellness solutions, BiiB combines community and innovation to redefine employee engagement and health. Sheyong shares his journey from R&D engineer to entrepreneur, explaining how BiiB’s platform integrates fitness, community, and technology for a unique wellness experience. See omnystudio.com/l...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast How does a material-science aerospace engineer end up building a 9-figure logistics platform? In this episode of Open For Business, we’re joined by Clarence Leong, Founder and CEO of EasyParcel—a company that has transformed the shipping process for micro-SMEs and SMEs. Since its launch in 2014, EasyParcel has facilitated over 86 million delivery quotes and served 2.5 million customers across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. Clarence shares his remarkable journey from aerospace engi...
Oct 27, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast We speak with Joshua Lin, General Manager of PriceShop Malaysia, about how the platform empowers Malaysian consumers to make smarter buying decisions in the consumer electronics space. We explore PriceShop’s approach to price comparison, ensuring accuracy and reliability through its extensive network of SME retailers and advanced technology. Joshua also shares insights on upcoming innovations, such as AI-driven features, and discusses trends in Malaysia’s electronics market, including consumer b...
Oct 24, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Cellou Diallo, CEO of RollingPay, a company offering flexible payroll financing solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Founded in 2022, RollingPay wants to help small businesses meet payroll obligations with up to 90-day repayment terms, ensuring timely employee payments—even when cash flow is tight. We explore Cellou’s journey from Global Head of Data and AI Delivery at SWIFT to building his own business, what sets RollingPay apart ...
Oct 23, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does it take to carry a family business’s legacy forward? In this episode of Open For Business, we explore the evolution of Sun Bus Tech, a company specializing in bus and bus body manufacturing for energy-efficient vehicles. While Sun Bus Tech was officially formed in 2022, its roots trace back to the 1970s. Joining us is Shyan Phang, CEO of Sun Bus Tech, who shares the story of how her father started a small coachwork fabrication business, why the family exited the bus industry in 2020 on...
Oct 22, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast We talk with Rachel Tan, Founder of The Nurts, a platform dedicated to creating and curating purposeful tools that promote personal growth and family connections. With offerings like interactive card games and educational kits, The Nurts focuses on learning through play, supporting families and young individuals in building essential skills. Rachel shares her journey of founding The Nurts, its mission to empower lives, and how the brand is expanding in Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. See omn...
Oct 21, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Confide Platform, your company’s future compliance command centre? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Pav Gill, Founder and CEO of Confide Platform—a platform designed to streamline compliance and risk management for organisations. Pav shares his remarkable journey, from exposing the €24 billion Wirecard scandal to creating a tech solution that helps companies manage sensitive reports and protect whistleblowers. We explore how his experience at Wirecard shaped Confide Platform, ...
Oct 20, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we sit down with Howard Obbard, Co-Founder and Director of Furniture and Choice Malaysia as we explore how this renowned UK-based brand is making its mark in the Malaysian market with its exceptional British craftsmanship and competitive prices. By blending its expertise in premium furniture with local artistry, Furniture and Choice Malaysia is not only transforming homes but also boosting the local economy by creating jobs and championing sustainability. Tune in as we delve int...
Oct 17, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Are businesses and brands overlooking a vibrant and growing market? In this episode of Open for Business, we speak with Preethi Sanjeevi and Ramakrishnan CN, Co-Founders of Greytt—a platform that aims to offer curated services tailored to people over 50, starting with fitness, but eventually travel and much more. We explore the story behind Greytt’s creation, what it means to redefine ageing, why this demographic is often misunderstood, and the opportunities they see in this underserved market. ...
Oct 16, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast How did a college dropout selling PCs and web hosting services build a 9-figure digital powerhouse? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Chan Kee Siak, Founder and CEO of Exabytes Group, an all-in-one provider of business, cloud, digital, and eCommerce solutions. Founded in 2001 as a small web hosting service in Penang, Exabytes now serves 160,000 businesses across 121 countries, with core markets in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Chan shares how he started at 19, pivoted to ...
Oct 15, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Andy Chaw, Founder of Trendz360. They’re a global lifestyle group with wholly owned subsidiaries in 8 markets, with Singapore being their central base of operations. Andy will be giving us a sense of the growth and evolution of Trendz360 from inception to the global brand distributor that the business is today, the challenges of managing a global company and how they have evolved over the years as well as his vision for the future of lifestyle ...
Oct 14, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast How did a Silicon Valley property play become a global corporate innovation driver and VC firm? In this episode of Open For Business, Jojo Flores, Co-Founder of Plug and Play, shares how a Silicon Valley real estate play in 2006/2007 has turned into a global innovation platform and early-stage startup investor. Plug and Play now operates across 50+ locations, running accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and a venture capital firm. We discuss their journey, expansion into APAC, an...
Oct 13, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on Open For Business, Augustine Edwards talks about how he founded AES Academy. From a kid fascinated by loudspeakers his brother gave him, he turned his passion into a full-blown career, mastering the art of audio engineering. AES Academy is a launchpad for the next wave of audio wizards, blending technical expertise with creative innovation. He shares the ups and downs of starting an academy, the evolving audio scene in Malaysia and the future prospects of the audio engineering field. Se...
Oct 10, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast BookXcess began in 2007 with just 5,000 remaindered books. Today, it’s on track to hit RM100 million in sales, working directly with publishers to fulfil its mission of making books more affordable and accessible. In 2009, Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng launched the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, which has since become a global cultural phenomenon and has expanded to 37 cities in 14 countries, attracting 3 million visitors annually and selling over 15 million books. From nearly going out of business duri...
Oct 09, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast No entrepreneur left behind? That seems to be the driving force behind GUIDE, an early-stage venture studio and advisory firm founded by Neil Cheong and Alvin Chin. In this episode of Open for Business, we explore how GUIDE aims to provide venture education, hands-on support, and mentorship to founders and entrepreneurs, all while building a scalable business for themselves. We delve into their transition from Ignition Chamber to GUIDE, their unique approach to advisory services, and their ambit...
Oct 08, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast We speak with Ting Mao, Founder at Sunnystep, a science-based footwear company for walking enthusiasts, active travellers and urban families. We’ll be discussing the story behind Sunnystep and how it all started after a horrible injury, the differences between their products with other more renowned footwear brands, the challenges faced and opportunities ahead for the business. Image Credit: mysunnystep.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 07, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast “A lot of studio owners are very distracted. So when it comes to looking at who are our worthy rival, I will look at the founders. Then I will kind of know whether or not they will still be our rival in a year’s time. ” Curious how a small 1200 sq ft fitness studio in Melaka expanded into Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, and the larger ambition behind these moves? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with CJ Lee, Co-Founder of MOVE Private Fitness, about their journey from launching a boutiqu...
Oct 06, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast This morning on the show, we speak with David Ng, Founder at Savor, a local F&B outlet aiming to encourage healthier lifestyles with their plant based meals. David started the business with his wife, Beverly, and business partner, Peter back in 2019 after originally starting in the lifestyle coaching field. Their commitment to health and wellness goes beyond the plate as they have not only established a vibrant plant-based restaurant for consumers to enjoy vegan food but they also provide cu...
Oct 03, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Open For Business, we sit down with Casper Foo and Lye Yu Min, the co-founders of co-working space Sandbox. Launched in 2017 with an initial RM300,000 investment, Sandbox has grown into a community-driven space attracting freelancers, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs. As they compete with larger players like WORQ and Common Ground, Casper and Yu Min share the challenges they’ve faced, their vision for the future, and how Sandbox is creating a unique niche in the co-working la...
Oct 02, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast What does it take to build a localized large language model (LLM) in Malaysia? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Khalil Nooh, Co-Founder & CEO of Mesolitica, about how his startup is developing Malaysia’s own LLM, MaLLaM, and the challenges of AI sovereignty in the region. Khalil dives into his journey from early Natural Language Processing projects to creating an LLM tailored for the Malaysian context. Key areas covered include: - The evolution from chatbots and NLP to lar...
Oct 01, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Be it in the morning, evening, or throughout the day, tea has never been left out of the list of Malaysian staples, with a variety of flavours for everyone to enjoy. In this episode, we bring you one of the flavours with Kavievanan Subramaniam, the Founder of Tea Thambi, a local name that has become renowned for its distinctive and pleasant masala chai in Kuala Lumpur. Kavievanan started his journey in 2020, during the challenging days of the pandemic, by selling masala tea on a bicycle through ...
Sep 30, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Open For Business, we sit down with Inbaraj Suppiah, Founder of JomHack, to explore his journey from running a creative agency (Pixaworks Creative Sdn Bhd) to leading hackathons that help businesses foster innovation, acquire talent, and solve complex challenges. Tune in to learn how JomHack and Inbaraj have become a key players in corporate innovation and community building, and what the future holds for this exciting venture in the tech ecosystem. Among other things, we dive...
Sep 29, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we sit down with Peter Vesterbacka, the visionary entrepreneur best known for his role in turning Angry Birds into a global phenomenon during his time at Rovio Entertainment. Beyond gaming, Peter has been a key figure in the startup and education ecosystems, driving innovation and future-thinking in a variety of fields. We explore his journey from building one of the most recognisable mobile games to his current ventures, and gain insight into his thoughts on the future of techn...
Sep 26, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
