Open For Business

In the world of sports, golf carries a common misconception of exclusivity and barriers to entry compared to most other sports that we are familiar with. Beyond its serene landscapes, golf is a game that demands skill, strategy, and precision that requires adequate training and a sense of passion for the sport.

With technology reshaping almost all industries including the sports and leisure sector, Wedge, a boutique golf lounge and bar in Kuala Lumpur, is known for its approach to blending golf with technology and social enjoyment.

In their latest venture, Wedge has launched the Wedge Range, a community hub and an indoor golf simulation range with the aim to break down traditional barriers associated with the game of golf, whether one is a seasoned pro or a first-time golfer.

Today on Open For Business, we spoke to Tom Sarginson, Co-Founder and CEO of Wedge, to digest how this all came about, how they efficiently used technology to allow consumers to experience golfing and possible expansion plans for the business in 2024 and beyond.

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Founded in January 2017 by Yen Ming, Wilson Beh and Winnie Chua, PolicyStreet began helping consumers and businesses choose and purchase insurance policies based on their needs and requirements, with the underlying aim of making insurance more affordable, simpler, and transparent.

Fast forward to today, they’re a regional player in the Insurtech space and work with over 40 life, general, and takaful providers globally to offer a comprehensive range of products and services. As of June 2023, PolicyStreet have served over 5 million customers and achieved a sum insured of over US$6 billion (RM27.7 billion) in Malaysia.

They managed to close a US$15.3 million (RM67 million) Series B funding round with Khazanah Nasional Bhd as lead investor last June and earlier this year, the company received the regulatory approval from the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) to begin its Takaful and Retakaful operations. PolicyStreet is now equipped to reinsure and underwrite Takaful products, providing Syariah-compliant insurance solutions.

Venturing from insurance marketplace platform to financial advisory business, now co-creating and underwriting insurance products, on this episode of Open For Business, we learn about PolicyStreet's journey as a Malaysian Insurtech company over the last 7 years. Diving deeper into how they’re tackling the insurance industry while working with agents and incumbents, exploring what they're looking for in potential strategic partnerships with Khazanah's non-monetary value, and much more.

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Founded in 2015, Carpedia is a gig talent platform for logistic players which aims to play a role as a reliable provider of delivery manpower resources, priding itself on “simple gig jobs almost anyone can do”, requiring nothing more than a valid driving licence, ensuring that work can start within 48 hours of registration.

Given that the gig economy looks to be here to stay, with some estimates putting the number of gig workers at around 4 million here in Malaysia, with a majority being young adults aged 25 to 44, there are plenty of startups and companies that are looking to tap into the opportunity to better facilitate and support the gig economy, including today’s guest.

We speak to Hazim about their role in the gig economy, the business opportunity present here for Carpedia, why he got started with this, and the vision for this startup.

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In today’s world, it’s hard to oversee how fast technology has grown in various businesses and now, it has become a necessity for companies to integrate modern technology into their daily operations, either from having robots in manufacturing or of course, the usage of AI.

One of the pioneers in this space is Neuramatix, a Malaysian based technology service provider. Since their establishment in 2002, Neuramatix have conducted various tech research to develop and commercialise artificial neural network technologies, powered by a neural engine called NeuraBASE.

This company has continued to advocate the study and understanding of the human brain with a focus to enable the development of naturally intelligent systems and machines.

Today on the show, we spoke to Abdul Karim Hercus, Founder & Managing Director at Neuramatix to unpack how they started their venture into AI developments and what the future looks like for this company to keep up with the rapid advancements of modern day technology.

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By 2030, Malaysia is expected to transition into an ageing society, with individuals above age 60 and older to make up 15% of the population - Pacific Senior Living aims to address this market need and the evolving needs of the growing senior population.

The company is part of the Columbia Pacific Management Group, a global investor, developer, and operator of modern healthcare and senior living facilities, and with over 40 years of experience in the space, Pacific, and along with its affiliates, have built and managed hundreds of senior living and other healthcare assets globally.

Marking their entry into Malaysia, in November 2023, they opened up their first high class senior living facility here, repurposing the former four-star Merrida Hotel building in Klang, which ceased operations during the movement control order period.

Three months post-opening, we speak to Dr. Ramnan Jeyasingam, Interim CEO and Director of Health Services at Pacific Senior Living Sdn Bhd about their plans and ambitions for the Malaysian market.

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Founded back in 2020, Meals in Minutes provides frozen, portioned meals tailored for quick and effortless meal preparation, mainly targeted to busy individuals and F&B enterprises across the region.

Recently, as reported by The Business Times, this Malaysian based food startup just secured USD1.5 million in seed funding, notably 500 Global leading the investment.

Today on the show,we spoke to Brandon Lim and Khiara Mia, Co-Founders of Meals in Minutes, a Malaysia-based food startup – to understand the business model for Meals In Minutes, what makes them unique in a competitive market and their possible expansion plans into other industries as well as the foreign market.

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Syrian-born chef Ameer Alzalek’s journey into the culinary world was not always on the cards, but a ripple effect from war that pushed Ameer to leave Syria around 11 years ago. The former accountant from Damascus then found his way to Malaysia, where he says the life in the kitchen chose him as jobs were few and far between.

Ameer explored the culinary scene in Penang and Langkawi, reportedly getting his break at a boutique hotel at Langkawi, before venturing on his own with Leen’s Middle East Kitchen following his experience with Ember Modern Bistro where he refined his view on food. Starting as a pop-up selling charred hummus, today Ameer runs 2 restaurants in TTDI - Leen’s Middle East Kitchen and recently opened up S.A.J Bistronomy by Leen’s.

Today on Open For Business, you will learn more about Ameer’s journey, how he built his culinary career and subsequent restaurants, lessons learnt along the way, and his plans ahead.

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In 2023 alone, investments in robotics soared to $12.9 billion, underscoring the promising outlook for the global autonomous mobile robots industry and DF Automation looks primed to ride this wave and is currently raising funds to do so. Founded in 2012, Johor-based DF Automation specialises in producing Autonomous Mobile Robot and Automated Guided Vehicle solutions with clear objectives: Optimise workflow, enhance productivity, and slash operational costs.

This year marks DF Automation’s 12th year in the industry to support their growth ambitions, they are offering between 3.6% to 9% of the company to raise between RM3 million and RM8 million on equity crowdfunding platform pitchIN. This follows a RM3 million raise on the platform back in 2019. As of 14th of February, they have achieved 43% of the funding target, valued at RM1,285,716.

We speak to Dr Yeong Che Fai, the Chairman and Co-founder of DF Automation & Robotics to get a better understanding of the value and potential of the robotics industry, and their origins and ambitions, as well as plans for the funds they are currently raising.

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We're exploring the vibrant and essential world of aquaculture, a sector that's at the forefront of sustainable food production and marine conservation. In the heart of Malaysia, YHL Aquatic is redefining this industry with its eco-friendly and innovative approach to farming marine life, particularly shrimp and oysters.

Embracing advanced biotechnologies and sustainable methods, YHL Aquatic is not just about providing high-quality seafood; it's about preserving our oceans and ensuring food security for future generations. This company's story is one of vision, innovation, and commitment to the planet.

Joining us today is Low Yuan Heng, the founder and Managing Director of YHL Aquatic, here to share the inspiring story behind this pioneering venture.

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DoctorOnCall was founded by former management consultants Maran Virumandi and ex-colleague Hazwan Najib, with their entrepreneurship journey starting in 2015 before officially launching in May 2016.

A key problem that they initially looked to target was to support doctors and GPs in saturated major cities by helping them expand beyond the geographical boundaries of their clinic to service patients through video or voice call, therefore allowing the doctors and GPs to maximise their time and generate revenue.

Aside from trying to help doctors on the business side, DoctorOnCall is tapping into telemedicine in a bid to help improve accessibility to health care providers. Today the platform provides online medical consultation, delivers medication through its online pharmacy, hosts a medical specialist search and booking engine and features health articles and a medical information database, among other things.

On this episode of Open For Business, you will learn about DoctorOnCall’s 8 year journey and where they stand today, the role that digital health and telemedicine can play in the healthcare ecosystem, as well as what Maran’s ambitions for this company look like ahead.

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