Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), through its agency Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), today launched the Cradle LIVE! Startup ASEAN Summit 2025, scheduled to be held from November 3-5 in Kuala Lumpur. The summit aims to build an integrated ASEAN startup ecosystem by gathering over 3,000 participants, including startups, investors, and policymakers from all 10 ASEAN Member States and beyond.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the summit will be the first ASEAN tech startup conference under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, themed ‘Scaling Startups Beyond Borders.’ Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang highlighted that startups are crucial in creating jobs and future tech leaders, yet they still face challenges in expanding internationally. The summit seeks to reduce these barriers, foster trust among regional investors, and promote local champions on a global stage.
The summit’s primary objective is to foster regional collaboration and growth, not profit. Minister Chang emphasized the importance of connecting startups, founders, owners, and investors on one platform. The event aims to facilitate cross-country networking and funding opportunities, enabling local startups to connect directly with regional investors and explore new markets.
Chang noted the significance of regional connectivity and networking in the ASEAN startup ecosystem, where investors are encouraged to consider opportunities beyond their domestic markets. Cradle Group CEO Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke remarked that the summit is centered around the people driving the ecosystem: founders, builders, and risk-takers shaping the region’s future. The event aims to create connections that could otherwise take months or years to develop.
The summit has received strong industry support, with Alliance Bank joining as the Title Sponsor. Group CEO Kellee Kam expressed excitement about the partnership with Cradle, highlighting their shared commitment to nurturing Malaysia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The collaboration builds on the success of initiatives like the BizSmart® Challenge programme.
The summit will feature various events, including IGNITE at Heritage Valley, showcasing Malaysia’s startup champions and Cradle’s grant recipients. The second day, CONNECT, will transform JioSpace into an innovation marketplace, while the final day, ELEVATE at Zepp, will offer keynotes, panels, showcases, and performances. Registration began earlier this month, and participants are encouraged to secure their places at this premier gathering of the ASEAN startup ecosystem.