The MYStartup Pre-Accelerator Cohort 5, organised by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) in collaboration with WatchTower and Friends (WTF), has launched in Kuala Lumpur, featuring 30 promising startups. This initiative is part of the MYStartup ecosystem development programme aimed at guiding pre-seed and early-stage startups towards achieving product-market fit and contributing to Malaysia’s innovation-driven economy. The programme runs from October 2024 to February 2025.
This latest cohort introduces a curriculum updated to address the dynamic business environment, equipping startups with the tools to adapt to market trends and consumer needs. Selected from over 100 applicants, the startups represent a diverse range of industries, including travel, fintech, biotech, and proptech. Participants will engage in an intensive four-month programme covering crucial business areas such as co-founder alignment, mission and vision statement development, business model design, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) iteration, market validation, and funding strategies. A renewed focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles underlines the importance of sustainable business practices.
The programme, part of the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) 2021–2030 by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), is designed to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth. The roadmap aims to create 5,000 startups by 2025 and position Malaysia as a top global startup ecosystem by 2030. Through initiatives like MYStartup, the government seeks to enable startups to transform innovative ideas into market-ready solutions, creating jobs and strengthening Malaysia’s role as a hub for global innovation.
Cohort 5 provides weekly learning modules, personalised mentorship, and access to a vast network of resources and connections within the startup ecosystem. Participants will also gain insights into market and industry practices to support their growth journey. The programme culminates in a Demo Day, where startups will present their validated MVPs to investors, mentors, and industry leaders. This event offers an opportunity to secure funding, gain visibility, and strengthen market positioning.
The selected startups for this cohort include ventures in areas such as artificial intelligence, agritech, financial technology, and sustainable solutions. These ventures aim to address challenges across various sectors, offering innovative tools and services. Examples include an Islamic financial literacy programme for women, an AI-powered accounting platform, a legal tech solution for finding nearby lawyers, and a crowd-owned smart mushroom farming initiative. These projects reflect the wide-reaching impact of innovation in addressing societal and business needs.
Cradle Fund, as the focal agency under MOSTI, has been instrumental in nurturing Malaysia’s startup ecosystem since its inception. With a proven track record of supporting technology startups, Cradle has developed programmes and grants that have significantly contributed to the commercialisation of innovative ideas. The MYStartup initiative aligns with MOSTI’s aspirations to cultivate an inclusive and sustainable growth environment for entrepreneurs, investors, and tech talent.