Open For Business

Founded in 2012, Swift Bridge Technologies is a Malaysian company that makes high-tech cables used in telecommunications, semiconductors, medical devices, and even space tech. These aren’t just ordinary cables, they’re high-frequency RF (radio frequency) cables that enable ultra-fast and reliable connections, especially in industries like 5G, aerospace, and advanced testing equipment.

The company recently secured investment from Kumpulan Modal Perdana (KMP), a Malaysian Ministry of Finance venture capital firm, to drive R&D expansion, next-generation RF cables up to 145GHz, and local production growth.

In this episode of Open For Business, Dato Chong Soon Kheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Swift Bridge Technologies, shares how the company built its niche in Asia’s semiconductor supply chain, its plans to scale to RM100 million revenue, and its strategic expansion into EV charging stations. We also dive into their role in the global RF industry, key growth drivers like 6G, and how Swift Bridge is positioning itself against global competitors.

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Sasha Tan, Founder and Principal Brand Strategist of The Brand Shaper, a local enterprise that provides PR & Marketing Solutions, joins us to discuss her journey from an entrepreneur to a brand strategist and unpack key lessons she’s learned along the way. From the importance of understanding your audience to the role of authenticity in brand communication, we discuss how Brand Shaper aims to help businesses create lasting impressions through strategic branding, the challenges that come to shape and position a brand as well as her ambitions and tips on how startups can develop a strong brand foundation.

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Founded in 2015, A&D Nature has blossomed into a profitable one-stop centre for plant enthusiasts, generating RM1.16 million in revenue and RM117,213 in net profit in the first eight months of 2024. In this episode, A&D Nature’s Founder and Managing Director, Dayvenn Khaw, and Co-Founder and Operations Director, Yek Sheen Chee, share how they grew the business from a single kiosk to a 7-figure operation.

We explore the challenges of managing a plant-based retail business, their strategies to reach RM4 million in revenue by 2028, and how they maintain profitability.

A&D Nature offers a wide range of products and services, including retail plant sales, corporate gifts, and the popular '007 Fertilizer,' which drives repeat sales and customer growth. With 80% of their plants produced in-house and a thriving online segment contributing 40% of revenue, the company is now launching an equity crowdfunding (ECF) campaign to raise up to RM500,000 for its next phase of growth.

Please note that investments in ECF campaigns carry significant risks. These are generally early-stage businesses that may face challenges, including the risk of failure, which could result in losing part or all of your investment. Additionally, this is an illiquid asset, you may not be able to liquidate or sell your shares easily.

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Eco-friendly products are sprouting across Malaysia, but are they truly sustainable? And are Malaysians willing to pay or go out of their way to purchase them? We explore these questions with Tan Yet Mee, the Founder of ecoMinim, a homegrown brand offering plant-based, biodegradable home and personal care products. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build a sustainable business, the challenges of competing with big brands, and the future of conscious consumer choices in Malaysia.

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In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with Azizul Othman and Al Khan Abdul Gani, Co-Founders of Lekir Tech, the AI startup behind the Assistnify AI Agent and platform. Founded in 2019, Lekir Tech has built a bootstrapped business offering AI-driven workflow automation, SaaS solutions, and business intelligence tools to government agencies, enterprises, and SMEs.

With over 80% year-on-year revenue growth and 7-figure revenues, profitable Lekir Tech shares how they achieved this without external funding, the challenges of scaling a tech company, and what sets Assistnify apart from other software tools.

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This 2-year old TikTok media company is on track to make RM40 million in revenue in 2025. In this episode of Open For Business, BFM sits down with Yubin Ng and Joel Lim, Co-Founders of MantaYaY, a pioneering media company that has harnessed the power of TikTok to build a thriving business. Founded in 2023, MantaYaY started as a TikTok agency in Malaysia and has rapidly expanded its offerings to include influencer marketing, content creation, live streaming, and e-commerce services.

The company manages over 3,000 content creators and boasts a strong foothold in the gaming sector. With 2024 revenues exceeding RM15 million and projections for RM40 million in 2025, MantaYaY's growth trajectory is nothing short of impressive. The interview explores the company's unique strategy of combining talent management, digital production, and e-commerce to connect brands with TikTok's massive audience.

Yubin and Joel share insights into their business model, how they monetise digital content, and the key challenges of scaling a new media company in a fast-paced digital landscape. They also discuss their institutional fundraising efforts to secure market leadership and expand into new regions, including the UK and Japan. 

Tune in to discover how MantaYaY is redefining media and commerce on TikTok.

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In this episode, we explore the booming sport of pickleball, a fast-growing activity that's taking Malaysia — and the world — by storm. Join us as we sit down with Janet Teo, the founder of Picklefox, a local business specialising in pickleball equipment and accessories. From high-quality pickleball paddles, grips, and eyewear, to being an official distributor of top brands like Ronbus, Proton, and Paddletek, Picklefox is making waves in the pickleball community after officially launching the business in May 2024. Janet’s mission is to make pickleball accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, with products that cater to both beginners and pros. In today’s conversation, we discuss the inspiration behind Janet's journey, the early challenges of starting a pickleball business, and her exciting plans for the future — including a dedicated pickleball facility and multiple retail locations across Kuala Lumpur. Tune in to hear more about Janet's passion for pickleball, her entrepreneurial journey, and her vision for scaling Picklefox in the rapidly growing pickleball market.

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Since 2014, Australia-based Valta Technology Group has been automating finance and procurement processes through a blend of technology and consulting, with operations in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Jussi Karjalainen, Founder and CEO, shares Valta’s journey to AUD $5 million in annual revenue, its unique market positioning, and how the company aims to leverage e-invoicing mandates and incentives to drive both value for clients beyond compliance and Valta’s own growth.

We also delve into Valta’s AI-driven innovations, the challenges of bootstrapping a tech business, and why Malaysia is its fastest-growing market.

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In this episode, we sit down with Tejvinder Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Great Pyramid, a leading HR solutions provider in Malaysia. Founded in 2015, Great Pyramid offers a comprehensive range of services, from immigration solutions and talent acquisition to workforce management and HR consultancy. Today, they serve over 450 clients globally, including major brands like Qatar Airways, ByteDance, and Harvey Norman. Join us as Tejvinder shares the story behind Great Pyramid’s journey—how they built their business from the ground up, overcame challenges, scaled to new heights, and navigated the changing landscape of HR.

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From a side hustle to a nearly seven-figure tech business, Daren Tan, Founder and CEO of ALPHV, shares his journey from freelancing in 2017 to leading a fast-growing company. ALPHV, incorporated in 2023, now operates across four key pillars: software development (Alpha Tech), corporate training (Alpha Academy), developer relations (Developer Kaki), and tech job placement (Alpha Recruit).

Daren’s entrepreneurial journey began during his master’s studies in data science, freelancing to sharpen his skills while identifying a growing demand for software developers among startups. This led to the creation of Developer Kaki, an organic 54,000-strong developer community that has become a valuable asset for talent sourcing and industry collaborations with companies like Akamai, F5 Group, and Nvidia.

In this episode of Open For Business, we explore the ALPHV ecosystem, the business models powering its growth, and the financial roadmap ahead. With plans to expand AI-driven training, scale its job portal, and double its revenue in 2025, Daren shares his insights on bootstrapping a tech company, building thriving online communities, and navigating the evolving digital economy.

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