Open For Business

A golf superapp raised USD $2M — but is the problem really big enough to justify that kind of funding? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with David Wong, Founder and CEO of Deemples, a Malaysian-born golf-tech startup that began as a simple way to find golf buddies and has evolved into a full-fledged super app for golfers.

From tee-time bookings and group game matchmaking to bundled golf trips and community events, Deemples is building a regional golf ecosystem. David shares how the company tripled its GMV since 2023, closed a USD $2 million round in 2024, and launched in Thailand, Southeast Asia’s largest golf market.

We unpack how Deemples is driving stickiness through social features, cashback incentives, and brand engagement, and how it’s earned partnerships with 80% of Malaysia’s golf courses. David also reveals why larger platforms haven’t cracked this vertical, how offline activations are fueling growth, and why Deemples could be on track for a global acquisition.

If you’re into vertical marketplaces, super apps, or niche community platforms — this one’s for you.

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Staying cool in Malaysia’s tropical heat is tough, but Ultifresh has a solution. Founded by Frank Yap and Gerald Eng in Singapore in 2018, Ultifresh creates sustainable, anti-microbial garments that eliminate 99.94% of bacteria. The result? Clothes that stay fresh longer, require less washing, and help conserve water — all without sacrificing comfort.

In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Frank and Gerald about expanding Ultifresh from Singapore to Malaysia, the challenges of making sustainable fashion accessible, and how their innovative fabrics are changing the way we think about everyday wear.

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Cracked screens, complex claims. As smartphone use surges and digital lifestyles evolve, device insurance offers peace of mind for consumers, but for insurers, it’s an operational headache. The real challenge isn’t selling policies, it’s delivering claims efficiently and at scale.

In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Melanie Hawgood, Co-Founder and CEO of Nexacore, a Malaysia-based insurtech startup solving the “last mile” problem in device insurance and extended warranty claims. Nexacore provides a white-label, back-end platform that streamlines repair, replacement, and logistics, helping insurers deliver faster, more cost-effective claims without building the infrastructure themselves – all without competing for policy distribution.

We explore Nexacore’s unique B2B model, how it integrates with insurers and telcos, and why the company is raising RM1.5–2 million to scale across Southeast Asia. Melanie also shares early traction with a major telco-backed program, their revenue strategy, and future plans beyond smartphone insurance, including regional expansion and new warranty verticals.

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What does it take to build a business around outdoor fitness in Malaysia’s unpredictable weather and competitive fitness scene? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Sanjay Kumar, Founder of Madfoxx Training, an outdoor strength and conditioning brand offering bootcamp-style sessions in parks and car parks.

Started as a weekend hustle in 2018 while Sanjay worked as a PE teacher and taekwondo coach, Madfoxx has grown to four locations and nearly 100 active members. The brand recently took a bold step by investing RM200,000 into a custom-built gym-on-wheels, aiming to bring functional fitness anywhere.

We dive into Sanjay’s entrepreneurial journey, how he built credibility in a saturated fitness market, and insights into this customer retention. We also discuss his future plans and goals.

Whether you're in fitness or just love stories of turning passion into small business, you’ll want to tune in to this one.

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When you think of nose strips, you might imagine skincare routines or snoring aids. But what if nose strips could also enhance your workouts and improve sleep? That’s the idea behind PeakFlowTape, founded by Kooi Yi Xuan and Gan Chen Jie. Launched just last year, PeakFlowTape aims to make nasal breathing an essential part of both fitness and rest.

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From automating tedious expense claims to unlocking consumer data trapped in third-party retail, this episode explores whether Xtractify is just AI hype, or solving real problems.

After raising RM2 million and setting its sights on RM1 million in revenue by 2025, Xtractify is betting on AI-powered automation, especially through WhatsApp, to help businesses streamline operations and extract hidden value.

On this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Elvis Lau, Founder and CEO of Xtractify, a Malaysian startup claiming to offer plug-and-play AI tools that work with minimal changes to existing systems. The company is targeting industries like retail and F&B with two core products: AI-driven business automation and a WhatsApp-based customer acquisition engine.

Elvis breaks down how their AI engine builds on top of existing LLMs, enhanced by proprietary training methods, self-refinement algorithms, and small language models for secure, business-specific results. He also discusses their hybrid SaaS + pay-per-use model, how they’re navigating product-market fit, and the trust challenges AI startups face.

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Slippery mats are a common challenge shared by yoga enthusiasts. Recognising a significant gap in the local market for high-quality, eco-friendly yoga mats, Wolo Yoga was founded in 2021. The company is dedicated to providing vegan leather mats that not only enhance grip and durability but also contribute to environmental sustainability. Initiatives include planting a tree for each product sold and supporting carbon offset projects.

Today on Open For Business, we speak to Dean Yeong, Co-Founder of Wolo Yoga. We'll explore the origins of Wolo Yoga, delve into the research and development process of their products, and discuss their deep commitment to sustainability practices.

Co-Produced by: Wei San Lee

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Manual bookkeeping and accounting is tedious, error-prone, and outdated, but can automation & AI fix it? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Hazli Johar, Co-Founder and CEO of Cynco, an AI-powered bookkeeping platform built specifically for startups and SMEs.

Hazli breaks down how Cynco wants to differ from industry giants like QuickBooks and Xero by focusing on business owners, not accountants. We explore the platform’s automation features, from document processing to categorization using narrow AI models, along with its SaaS pricing model, user feedback, and traction since soft launching in late 2024.

We also dive into Cynco’s product-market fit journey, its current $125,000 pre-seed raise, and growth targets of 1,000 users and $70,000 revenue by end-2025. Hazli explains why they believe their lean, focused approach can outmaneuver slower incumbents, and what it’ll take to keep scaling sustainably.

Is Cynco truly building the future of accounting, or is this just another fintech longshot in a crowded market? Tune in to find out.

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Every oil & gas company wants better & faster insights from their deep and complex. Can Rosary Labs’ AI tools deliver smarter decisions, or is it just more AI hype?

Rosary Labs began life as V-Cred under PETRONAS Innovation Garage, aiming to close the SME credit gap with alternative data. Fast forward to today, the rebranded AI startup is carving out a niche in high-value enterprise sectors (energy, utilities, and legal) developing vertical AI tools that help experts extract insights and act on complex data.

Co-founders Lau May and Tan Nian Wei break down their journey from corporate incubator to bootstrapped startup backed by Cradle, MYHackathon, and MPRC. We explore how Rosary Labs uses large language models and intelligent agentic workflows to support subject matter experts, the commercialisation strategy behind their enterprise products, and the challenges of selling AI to industries steeped in legacy systems.

We also unpack their projected seven-figure revenue, evolving pricing models, and long-term vision to remove data friction, one domain at a time.

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With more people seeking simple, effective ways to stay healthy, one local brand is helping Malaysians get their daily greens… no blender required.

Meet HGHY Nutrition, short for “Healthy Gut, Happy You”, a wellness brand on a mission to make gut health easy, accessible, and actually enjoyable. Their hero product, My Daily Greens, is a nutrient-rich blend designed to support digestion, immunity, focus, and overall well-being, all in one scoop.

It’s wellness without the overwhelm, and it all started with founders, Rita Mangan, a certified health coach and yoga teacher, and Kal Izad, whose shared mission is to help you feel good from the inside out.

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