Marking its 10th anniversary, IGL Coatings has grown into an eight-figure business exporting its surface protection solutions to 50 markets. But this milestone comes at a challenging time, with new US tariffs impacting its largest market.

Founder and CEO Keong Chun Chieh joins us to reflect on his 10-year journey. He discusses the on-the-ground reality of navigating tariffs, his strategic push to grow the B2C side of the business, the crucial lessons he's learned about IP protection, and his "north star" goal of hitting $100 million in annual revenue.

We discuss:

• The 10-year journey from a startup to an 8-figure manufacturer & exporter.

• The real-world impact of US tariffs and the strategy for navigating them.

• Why a 19% tariff Is better than uncertainty

• Their strategic push to grow the B2C segment to diversify risk.

• The crucial importance of IP protection and listening to customer feedback.

• Their new strategic partnership with Petronas to localise their supply chain.

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We sit down with Shaerfatwa Intannadwah, Founder and Managing Director of Roboshop Technologies, to explore how a small series of robotics workshops has grown into a full-fledged EdTech ecosystem aiming to shape Malaysia’s next generation of tech talent.

Since its founding in 2019, Roboshop has been helping teachers and students not just adopt technology, but truly thrive in technology-driven classrooms — building confidence and creativity through hands-on learning in AI, robotics, IoT, and coding. From hosting national competitions like Let’s Code to preparing students for the 2025 AI Competition in Singapore, the company has become a bridge between education and innovation.

Intan shares how Roboshop is changing what it means to teach and learn in the digital age, and why nurturing future-ready talent may be Malaysia’s most important investment yet.

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William Koh, CEO and Managing Director of ALUMASTER, joins us to explore how a Sarawak-based aluminium solutions provider grew from a small local operation into one of East Malaysia’s most trusted names in high-quality windows, doors, and façade systems.

In an industry defined by tight margins, rising costs, and competition, ALUMASTER’s story is one of quiet resilience — built on craftsmanship, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose. From supply chain pressures to evolving building standards, William shares how the company has adapted, innovated, and positioned itself in Malaysia’s fast-changing construction landscape.

From sustainability and design innovation to regional expansion, we take a grounded look at how one homegrown brand continues to build growth, one project at a time.

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How does a former NASA scientist team up with a former Wall Street trader to build a deep tech company that manipulates atoms without a multi-million-dollar clean room? For NanoSkunkWorkX (nSWX), it’s about breaking the rules of nanotechnology.

Co-founders Dr. Amani Salim and Iqbal Shamsul join us to share their incredible journey. They discuss their core technology that "stitches together" graphene to solve fundamental bottlenecks in compute, energy, and healthcare, and their ambitious strategy to achieve "technological sovereignty" for Malaysia through strategic global partnerships.

We discuss:

• The journey from a NASA-funded research project to a deep tech startup.

• The NASA-meets-Wall Street origin story.

• The "Skunk Works" philosophy and their mission to build a world-class Malaysian innovator.

• Their unique low-cost platform for manipulating graphene.

• Their commercialization strategy, including a contract with a foreign military.

• Their ambitious vision for "technological sovereignty."

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What can Malaysian entrepreneurs and policymakers learn from one of the world's most advanced digital economies? Two of our own, Michele Chai of Kintry and Sasibai Kimis of Earth Heir, recently returned from a UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) eTradeforWomen Study Tour to China, getting an inside look at giants like Alibaba, JD Logistics, and Tencent.

The two founders join us to share their eye-opening takeaways. After a quick take on Malaysia's Budget 2026, they dive into their experiences in China, discussing the incredible efficiency of its logistics, the rapid adoption of AI, and the powerful "enabling environment" that helps businesses solve problems at speed.

We discuss:

• Key takeaways from Budget 2026 for SMEs and social enterprises.

• An inside look at the advanced logistics of giants like JD Logistics and Alibaba.

• China's rapid AI adoption and its real-world impact on jobs and society.

• The importance of China's "enabling environment" for business growth.

• The unique business philosophies that tie culture, family, and storytelling to commerce.

For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this is a fascinating look at the future of digital commerce and the lessons Malaysia can learn from a global leader.

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Cipher is an AI engine built by Ambitionz, a bootstrapped gaming software company led by Pavel Bains, that helps creators and studios design, build, and monetise games faster than ever. Unlike general AI models, Cipher “thinks like a game developer” — understanding the nuances of gameplay, asset optimization, and monetization, while empowering creators to focus on what truly matters: creativity and storytelling.

Rooted in a philosophy inspired by hip-hop’s collaborative “cypher” and the indie record label movement of the ’90s, Ambitionz champions independence, culture, and creativity for Asia’s next generation of game entrepreneurs.

We speak with Pavel Bains, CEO of Ambitionz, about the pivot that led to Cipher, how AI is transforming the game development cycle from months to weeks, and why the future of gaming lies not in hyperrealism, but in empowering everyday creators to build worlds of their own.

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

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As Malaysia digests the announcements from Budget 2026, how are entrepreneurs and startup founders viewing the road ahead? Beyond the headline numbers, what are the real-world implications for costs, growth, and strategy in the coming year?

Seasoned entrepreneur and investor Yeoh Chen Chow, of 1% Advisory & Coaching, joins us to provide a founder's perspective on the budget. He discusses the on-the-ground impact of rising costs, the critical need for continuous learning in a fast-changing world, and how businesses can strategically leverage key trends like AI to boost productivity.

We discuss:

• Chen Chow’s first impressions of Budget 2026 and what it signals.

• The business realities of rising costs, including the 8% SST on rentals.

• The growing importance of AI and the need to educate educators.

• Why continuous learning is a non-negotiable for modern entrepreneurs.

• The entrepreneurial mindset needed for 2026: resourceful, resilient, and responsible.

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Can gig work be both flexible and fair? TROOPERS thinks so. With 400,000 verified users and RM50 million in worker earnings, the platform is redefining what it means to take on part-time and flexible jobs in Malaysia.

Co-Founder and CEO Joshua Tan, and COO Craig Goonting explain how TROOPERS built trust with workers through zero commission fees, free training, and insurance coverage, while helping businesses reduce hiring time and gain access to on-demand talent. From small eateries to major banks and retailers, TROOPERS has become the go-to HR tech platform for flexible manpower.

Looking ahead, TROOPERS is setting its sights on Southeast Asia, bringing its AI-powered matching and scalable workforce solutions to new markets. We explore how BetterPlace’s acquisition has accelerated this vision, and what the future of gig work in the region might look like.

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From a humble roadside stall to five thriving outlets in just three years, Mokky’s Pizza is rewriting the rules of Malaysia’s billion-ringgit pizza industry. Built on authenticity, consistency, and a sense of community, the brand has turned customers into advocates and grown into a serious contender against giants like Pizza Hut and Domino’s.

Umar Abdul Aziz, Co-Founder of Mokky’s Pizza shares how he and his co-founders scaled so quickly, the gaps they are filling in the market, and why they’re raising RM3 million to fund further expansion, with ambitions of one day going public.

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Founded in 2013, Global TechSolutions (GTS) began as a local start-up offering customised equipment solutions for semiconductor manufacturers. Over the past decade, they have grown into a regional player with operations across Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the U.S.

We speak with Kenneth Lee, CEO of GTS, about the company’s growth journey, the strategies that facilitated its regional expansion, and how it’s navigating today’s semiconductor landscape — from supply chain challenges to AI-driven opportunities.

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