THE local start-up scene is pretty interesting, and Malaysia has constantly been producing worthy tech companies that have made an impact in the industry.
Although these start-ups have clever ideas and innovations, they still need help moving forward, especially in commercialising their inventions.
One of the important players in the local start-up scene, Cyberview, recently held its Tech Innovators' Day in Cyberjaya to stress its commitment in helping and nurturing the local startups.
The event saw a number of startups that have successfully "graduated" from Cyberview's Living Lab Accelerator (CLLA) programme since 2013 showcasing their solutions and sharing their experience with aspiring new start-ups.
Through the programme, a total of 90 start-ups have been nurtured, over RM252 million in total investments have been raised, and more than RM775 million of cumulative revenue has been recorded to date.
The CLLA programme is designed to support and nurture early-stage technology start-ups by providing them with resources, mentorship and networking opportunities.
It aims to accelerate the growth of start-ups and help them develop and commercialise innovative solutions in areas such as smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technologies.
According to Cyberview's Hub Development Division head of technology, Shafinaz Salim, the CLLA programme is one of the longest-running start-up accelerator programmes in the country.
"It underlines Cyberview's commitment to providing an ecosystem enabling R&D&C — research, development, and commercialisation — specifically to strengthen and empower the start-up scene," she said.
"Through the CLLA programme, Cyberview had specifically focused on smart city solutions across three of Cyberjaya's smart city pillars, namely smart economy, smart environment and smart society.
"We are very proud to have supported start-ups innovating various solutions in fintech, robotics, blockchains, health tech, prop tech, edutech and mobility."
The CLLA programme start-ups have also collectively impacted the economy with the creation of more than 1,400 jobs.
Among successful alumni of the programme include TheLorry, Billplz, Supagene, MedKad, Pandai and ERTH.
New areas to explore
Shafinaz said the CLLA programme is now seeking applications from startups looking for an ecosystem that can help kickstart and boost their innovative solutions.
For over a decade, she said Cyberview has pumped in more than RM6 million into start-ups ensuring viable solutions are adequately supported towards commercialisation.
"If you take a look around the hall, you'll see some of the successful alumni of the programme.
"We have MedKAD, one of our early CLLA cohort participants. They are actually one of inventors of Malaysia's Covid-19 saliva test kit, and the others like Govicle or previously known as JomParking, Pandai, Billplz and Urban Farm Tech.
"Then, we have TheLorry. They are also our alumni and are now expanding their services overseas, but their office still remains here in Malaysia.
"So, for this new cohort, Cyberview is looking for start-ups in the areas of smart-living solutions, digitisation & data solutions, industrial IoT & robotics, and green technology."
As part of the intensive five-month programme, Cyberview will provide selected start-ups with a space at Colnnov8 — Cyberview's collaborative smart city co-working space — resources, facilities, business advisory and mentorship, networking, as well as market access opportunities.
"Cumulatively, the suite of benefits is valued at more than RM100,000 allocated for each participating start-up," Shafinaz said.
Upon completion of the CLLA programme, start-ups will also gain access to piloting opportunities to immediately execute go-to-market strategies, or begin sourcing for additional funding from local, regional, or global investors, facilitated further by Cyberview.
"With the government's Malaysia Madani concept pushing for innovation and creativity, tech start-ups are certain to have a bigger role to play in advancing the nation.
"Towards this end, the CLLA programme is alignmed with the national agenda of growing Malaysia's economy through technology," said Shafinaz.
"We are confident that the CLLA programme will continue to be the preferred platform for start-ups working on smart city solutions and looking to move into commercialisation and the right market fit.
"Apart from valuable mentorship, and dynamic and sustainable business strategies, start-ups will gain valuable access to Cyberview's networks of investors, government agencies, corporations and ecosystem partners for strategic partnerships and collaborations.
"From our extensive experience supporting start-ups, we know this is the next step forward, critical for start-ups to scale and grow."
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