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MALAYSIA

TECH PLANTER in Malaysia 2025

Discovering and nurturing Real Tech seeds and entrepreneurs in Malaysia
ABOUT
Purpose
At universities, research institutes, and corporate laboratories, the "seeds" of science and technology are being born, and it takes a lot of time and effort before they sprout into practical applications. The "TECH PLANTER" organized by Leave a Nest with its partner companies is an ecosystem that aims to discover these seeds and serve as a planter to turn them into businesses. Our program in MALAYSIA aimed at discovering and nurturing Real Tech seeds and entrepreneurs.
Target
  • Early stage startups and pre-startup researchers’ team or individual in Real Tech Field
  • Mature startups or SMEs seeking collaborators are also welcome, even if they are close to mass production or PMF establishment.
  • Visionaries that aim to change the world and/or their own country to a better place based on the science and tech based seeds
  • Those who are interested in the Japanese market or collaboration with Japanese corporations.
Categories of the TECH
Manufacturing, robotics, IoT, AI, agri-tech, bio-tech, healthcare, med-tech, food-tech, care-tech, marine-tech, ecotech, and etc.
Application Period
2024/12/1(Sun)-2025/3/30(Sun)
Judging Criteria
A panel of judges consisting of Leave a Nest and its partners will evaluate each of the following items.
  1. 01NOVELTY
  2. 02PRACTICABILITY
  3. 03IMPACT TO
    THE WORLD
  4. 04PASSION
Awards
The Grand Winner: 7,000 MYR & Invitation to Present at TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2025
Leave a Nest Award: Invitation to Present at TECH PLANTER Asia Final 2025
Corporate Awards: 4,000 MYR
SCHEDULE
12/1[SUN]

Entry open

Please register from here and fill out the web form to apply.
We also hold information sessions at each university and on an individual to encourage your full registration to tell you how to prepare documents. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

3/30[SUN]

Application deadline & 1st selection

After our closing the application window, a panel of judges consisting of Leave a Nest and its partners will review the applications.
Applicants will be asked to submit information about their team, technology, passion, and future vision via web form.
All applicants will be notified of the results of the screening process and will receive feedback on their applications.
In addition, online individual interviews will be held for those who wish to participate in the presentation review.

4/28[MON]

Announcement of finalists

Selected Finalists will be announced in the middle of May.
For applicants who pass the selection, interviews will be held to brush up their presentations for the final DEMO DAY.
In addition, it is possible to set up interviews with partner companies for the purpose of business consultation and to develop collaboration projects.

5/31[FRI]

TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in Malaysia

The 9 finalist teams that passed our selection will be judged on their presentations.

Jun-

Supporting period

Even after the DEMO DAY, the contact point between teams and Leave a Nest remains open, allowing discussions to develop their business..
We are responding to a wide range of start-up issues, from incorporation to prototype development, financing, and R&D.
In addition, collaboration between teams and partner companies is becoming more popular in this period to support business development.

PARTNER
Global Partners
Local Partners
ASSET
  1. ASSET01Leave a Nest Communicator
  2. ASSET02Japanese Partner Companies
  3. ASSET03Local Partners
  4. ASSET04Super Factory Group
SUPPORT
  1. SUPPORT01Organizing the vision your business
  2. SUPPORT02Brushing up your presentation
  3. SUPPORT03Opportunities for collaboration with Japanese corporates
  4. SUPPORT04Support for R&D and prototype development
  5. SUPPORT05Support for Knowledge and IP Strategies
  6. SUPPORT06Investment and support for finance
DEMO DAY
Name of the DEMO DAY
TECH PLANTER in Malaysia 2025
Place
Center of Garage, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
Date & Time
2025/5/31 (Sat)09:30-14:30 in Malaysia Time
Application Period
2024/12/1(Sun)-2025/3/30(Sun)
Eligible Participants
Deep Tech Startups and Research Teams
Organizer
Leave a Nest Malaysia
Timeline
@Malaysia Time
09:00～09:30
Registration
09:30～10:00
Opening Ceremony
10:00～10:50
Presentation Round 1
3 teams (7 Minutes presentation + 5 Minutes Q&A)
10:50～11:00
Break 10 Minutes
11:00～11:50
Presentation Round 2
3 teams (7 Minutes presentation + 5 Minutes Q&A)
11:50～12:00
Break 10 Minutes
12:00～12:50
Presentation Round 3
3 teams (7 Minutes presentation + 5 Minutes Q&A)
12:50～13:50
Judging Time
Partners Presentation
Lightning Talk Presentations
13:50～14:30
Lunch & Networking
14:30～15:00
Awards Ceremony & Closing
JUDGE
  • Mr. Abdul Hakim Sahidi
    Chief judge
    Managing Director, Leave a Nest Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
    Mr. Abdul Hakim Sahidi
    Mr. Abdul Hakim Bin Sahidi is one of the pioneer members of Leave a Nest Malaysia, having joined the company in 2016. Since then, he has played a crucial role in establishing and leading a passionate team in the country. His primary focus lies in business and technological advancements that have the potential to create significant impacts on society. With his extensive experience, Mr. Abdul Hakim has been actively involved in mentoring researchers and startups in both Malaysia and Indonesia. He plays a vital role in bridging them with the right partners, both locally and from Japan, to facilitate collaboration and growth opportunities. Through his efforts, he aims to nurture and cultivate a new generation of technopreneurs in Malaysia, while also supporting the implementation of meaningful technologies that can benefit society as a whole.
  • Mr. Ian Kuan
    General Manager of Strategy & Growth, FSBM I-Design Sdn. Bhd.
    Mr. Ian Kuan
    Mr. Ian Kuan serves as the General Manager of Strategy & Growth at FSBM I-Design Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of FSBM Holdings Berhad, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia). The company is a data and analytics-driven organization specializing in intelligent applications and digital solutions. With over 12 years of experience in telecommunications and information technology, Mr. Kuan has held key roles at prominent organizations, including China Communications Services Corporation Limited (Hong Kong), China Telecom Corporation, and Black Box Network Services Ltd. (US).
  • Dr. Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi
    Head of Research and Development, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad
    Dr. Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi
    Dr. Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi is the Head of Research and Development where his team focuses on building Sarawak digital research and development capabilities and innovation ecosystem through government-university-industry collaboration. He received his PhD in Geoinformatics (3D GIS) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). He has extensive experience as a researcher and well versed in planning, executing, consultation and managing research and development projects related to GIS. He has published a number of scientific publications and member of the Programme Committee for several international conferences.
  • Ms. Melissa Ong
    Group CEO, Impact Circle
    Ms. Melissa Ong
    With over 25 years of experience across the Asia-Pacific region, Melissa Ong has held senior leadership roles in international trade, brand communications, and market research, with tenures at HSBC, IOI Group, MRCB, and TNS (Kantar). Over her 15-year career at TNS (Kantar), she led regional portfolios across 33 countries, covering Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.

    As the former CEO of ASLI, Melissa played a pivotal role in advancing public policy reforms, driving international FDI initiatives, co-founding bilateral business councils, and leading high-level trade missions throughout Southeast Asia. She has also held regional positions with the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Invest Hong Kong, and the UK Department for International Trade, where she spearheaded strategic FDI efforts across ASEAN.

    Melissa is currently the Group CEO of Impact Circle, an agrifoodtech ecosystem builder and multiplier, where she champions food security, youth and women empowerment, and the growth of sustainable food startups across the region. She is also the Founder and Managing Partner of First Frontier Ventures, where she leads strategic impact investments in agrifoodtech, climatetech, and sustainability.

    She holds an MBA from the University of Sunshine Coast, Australia, and was honoured with the Distinguished Australian Alumni Award in December 2019 by the Australian High Commission and the Malaysia-Australia Alumni Council (MAAC), in recognition of her outstanding achievements and global impact. Melissa is also a Certified Executive Coach (University of Malaya) and a passionate advocate for workplace gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive leadership.
  • Ir. Azril H Hassan
    Group COO, ELSA Energy Sdn Bhd
    Ir. Azril H Hassan
    Corporate and transformational leader with extensive experience in Malaysia’s energy and technology sectors. Currently Group COO at ELSA Energy, serving on multiple boards and advising tech startups and energy companies. Former CEO of a major conglomerate’s subsidiary, where I led company setup, tech investments, and market expansion, focusing on renewables, GreenTech, FinTech, and new energy. Expertise includes M&A, startups, venture building, business transformation, and joint ventures. Known for driving sustainable, profitable growth and innovation across industrial and emerging sectors, delivering impactful solutions that support long-term value creation and sectoral advancement.
  • Ms. Shiori Yamashita
    Manager of D-LAB, Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Ms. Shiori Yamashita
    Shiori Yamashita is the Manager of D-LAB, Japan Tobacco. She is primarily responsible for new business development based on “Delightful Moment”. JT and D-LAB is not limited to a sector, but respects the “Delightful Moment” all over the world, and they think about what we can do for the moment every day. She is looking for people who can create the “Delightful Moment” with amazing technologies and knowledges together. She graduated from University of East Anglia (UK) with a bachelor in business management.
  • Mr. Henry Tao
    Executive Director, UntroD Capital Asia Pte. Ltd.
    Mr. Henry Tao
    In 2023, Henry joined UntroD Capital Asia, which manages the Real Tech Global Fund franchise. He was appointed as a director in 2025. In his current role, he leads direct investments connecting Southeast Asia, Japan, and global markets, while supporting portfolio growth. He’s particularly interested in tech innovations that create meaningful impact in climate and sustainability.
    Before joining UntroD, he worked on early- and growth-stage investments in the industrial and agri-tech sectors. He began his career at Bayer AG in a global leadership program, holding responsibilities in Germany, the US, and Singapore.He obtained MBA from Harvard Business School.
  • Mr. Yong Kum Cheng
    Executive Director,Chief Production Officer (CPO) Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad
    Mr. Yong Kum Cheng
    Mr Yong Kum Cheng graduated from University Putra Malaysia with a Bachelor of Science Biotechnology in 1998. He joined the Production Department of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad in March 1998 and over the years, he moved up the corporate ladder and served under various capacities. Mr. Yong was appointed to the Board of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad on 1 April 2023. He is deeply passionate about education, believing it to be a guiding star for the future. Mr. Yong is committed to nurturing and inspiring the younger generation, contributing to the development of tomorrow’s leaders.
  • Mr. Yu Inaba
    General Manager, Euglena Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
    Mr. Yu Inaba
    Mr. Yu Inaba earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Information Studies from Keio University in Japan, and also graduated from the University of Tsukuba with a Masters in Biological Engineering. He started research of microalgae biofuel in 2013 in a Bachelor’s degree program and has published research papers related to altering specific functions in various types of microalgae through the use of biotechnology. Mr. Yu Inaba serves as the General Manager of Euglena Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., bringing extensive experience in driving sustainable biotechnology initiatives across borders. As a key leader at Euglena Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., he plays a pivotal role in advancing the company’s green innovation agenda in Southeast Asia, particularly in promoting biofuel solutions aligned with Malaysia’s green economy policies. His insights offer valuable perspectives on strategic localization, cross-border technology transfer, and the commercialization of biotech innovations in emerging markets.
FINALIST
  • Tenaga Alam Sekitar Kita (M) Sdn Bhd
    Mr. Yik Khong Kiu
    TEASK STATION 3

    Theme:
    TEASK STATION 3

  • Rebooz Technology Sdn Bhd
    Mr. Ariel Masri
    REBOOZ is a patented hydrogen-based engine rejuvenation technology that addresses rising fuel costs, high carbon emissions, and inefficient internal combustion engine maintenance through a fast, clean, and chemical-free solution.

    Theme:
    REBOOZ is a patented hydrogen-based engine rejuvenation technology that addresses rising fuel costs, high carbon emissions, and inefficient internal combustion engine maintenance through a fast, clean, and chemical-free solution.

  • QuantumGel Team
    Dr Muhammad Asri Bin Abdul Ssiak
    PolluSorb Litter. Soil contamination from heavy metals and pollutants threatens agriculture, ecosystems, and health. Our CQD hydrogel, developed via on-the-spot inverse precipitation, offers a sustainable and efficient solution for soil restoration.

    Theme:
    PolluSorb Litter. Soil contamination from heavy metals and pollutants threatens agriculture, ecosystems, and health. Our CQD hydrogel, developed via on-the-spot inverse precipitation, offers a sustainable and efficient solution for soil restoration.

  • Mensilin Green Energy Sdn Bhd
    Mr. Ahmad Luqman Bin Mohamad Adan
    Plastic-to-Fuel Technology

    Theme:
    Plastic-to-Fuel Technology

  • NanoSkunkWorkX
    Mr. Iqbal Shamsul
    SUSANNE: A graphene nanofabrication platform enabling ultra-efficient AI compute, low-cost green hydrogen, and rapid biosensing—solving performance, cost, and scale barriers in energy, computing, and diagnostics.

    Theme:
    SUSANNE: A graphene nanofabrication platform enabling ultra-efficient AI compute, low-cost green hydrogen, and rapid biosensing—solving performance, cost, and scale barriers in energy, computing, and diagnostics.

  • MiniGen Group
    Dr Mohd Azimie Bin Ahmad
    IoT Culture Growth Inoculation for Microalgae

    Theme:
    IoT Culture Growth Inoculation for Microalgae

  • Pacton Technologies Sdn Bhd
    Mr. Faisal Shadli Arshad
    FishSpeak - Ai-Driven Aquaculture Management System

    Theme:
    FishSpeak - Ai-Driven Aquaculture Management System

  • Stream Capital Sdn Bhd
    Mr. Adham Fayumi Wan Saffiey
    Rymba

    Theme:
    Rymba

  • Lestagro
    Mr. Mohd Hafiz Yaacob
    Reversing Global Warming Impact & Commercialization of Berry Plants via Temporary Immersion Bioreactor

    Theme:
    Reversing Global Warming Impact & Commercialization of Berry Plants via Temporary Immersion Bioreactor

LIGHTNING TALK
Team Theme Representative
Tanalink Real-time Plantation Activity Data Collection | Pervasive low yield in the plantation industry Mr. Will Chong
OINC IoT, Agrivesting. Solving food sovereignty issue. Mr. Kong Khai Jien
Solnovation Analytics Sdn. Bhd. Using visual AI and Sound analytics to identify disease in poultry industry. Mr. Cyril John mathias
Derialah AirSync - An Intelligent Air Quality Monitoring System with AI based forecasting and prediction Prof Dr Sawal Hamid Bin Md Ali
TwinCrab Solutions TwinCrab Solution. An intelligent monitoring system for detecting soft-shell crab moulting automatically. Professor Ts Dr Khong Heng Yen
Jutjel Sdn Bhd Biostimulants-based organo-mineral fertilizer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Susilawati Kasim
NEWS
CUSP OF INNOVATION : TECH PLAN Demo Day Malaysia 2025 Lands Tomorrow!
2025/05/29 CUSP OF INNOVATION : TECH PLAN Demo Day Malaysia 2025 Lands Tomorrow!
  • English News
  • Malaysia
  • ニュース
TECH PLANTER Malaysia 2025: 11 Years of Deep Tech Innovation, Strengthened by Partnership!
2025/05/28 TECH PLANTER Malaysia 2025: 11 Years of Deep Tech Innovation, Strengthened by Partnership!
  • Malaysia
Announcement of Finalists & Lightning Talk Teams for TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in Malaysia 2025
2025/05/15 Announcement of Finalists & Lightning Talk Teams for TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in Malaysia 2025
  • English News
  • Malaysia
Announcement of 9 Finalists for TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in Malaysia 2025
2025/04/29 Announcement of 9 Finalists for TECH PLAN DEMO DAY in Malaysia 2025
  • English News
  • Malaysia