KUALA LUMPUR: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, through Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), has launched the Startup Asean initiative in a bid to position the regional countries as leading players in the global startup landscape.
Its minister Chang Lih Kang said Startup Asean is designed to promote and facilitate science, technology, and innovation (STI) within the Asean startup ecosystem, serving as a gateway to the region's vibrant startup community.
Through the initiative, Chang said the ministry aims to empower entrepreneurs, connect innovators, and foster a thriving ecosystem that drives regional growth and innovation.
"Startup Asean is more than just a digital platform; it is a testament to our collective commitment to nurturing innovation, strengthening collaboration, and building a robust foundation for technological advancement," he said.
As Malaysia prepares to chair Asean in 2025, Cradle has been tasked to lead the Asean Startup Initiative (ASI) under the Asean Technology Startup Ignite.
The first initiative under the Asean Technology Startup Ignite is a platform curated by a task force from all 10 Asean member states.
They are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Cradle group chief executive officer Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke said the platform is not just a hub but a catalyst for regional cooperation and innovation, empowering startups to scale and drive sustainable economic growth in the region.
Through a phased approach, Norman said Cradle will introduce dynamic programmes, including regional hackathons targeting deep tech sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), sustainability, and climate tech.
"Additionally, the highly anticipated Startup Asean Summit next year will spotlight regional innovation and unlock new markets for startups," he added.
Ahead of its official launch in the second quarter (Q2) 2025, Startup Asean is inviting startups and ecosystem partners from all Asean countries to join the platform