JAZRO Robotic Academy (JAZRO), a robotics education startup incubated by Petronas Innovation Garage (PING), has secured a significant investment of RM1.2 million from Gobi Partners through the Khazanah Nasional Berhad-backed Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund. This strategic funding aims to enhance JAZRO’s educational offerings and broaden its reach, nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy innovators.
Founded in 2020 by Ir. Dzulfarqeish Bin Zainuddin, along with co-founders Yasser Rabanie and Khoirun Nisah, JAZRO is dedicated to providing inclusive education for all children through its specially curated robotics education programme. The startup was inspired by the limited availability of robotics programmes when Dzulfarqeish sought to enrol his son while working as an engineer in Kerteh. The lack of structured robotics education in Malaysia represented a significant gap amid the rising demand for technological advancement. Since its inception, JAZRO has expanded its operations to Kerteh, Kuala Terengganu, Chukai, and Cyberjaya, offering robotic education to over 50,000 students.
The engaging curriculum at JAZRO is tailored to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or abilities, can flourish in a technology-driven environment. The programme emphasises hands-on experiences in robotics and coding, designed to ignite curiosity and creativity. It has received accolades from TERAJU SUPERB 2021 and CRADLE MYStartup MYHackathon 2022. As part of its commitment to inclusive robotic education, JAZRO has also launched a segment specifically aimed at autistic children, facilitated by specially trained tutors in collaboration with occupational therapists to help develop cognitive, communication, and social skills.
JAZRO is among the four employee startups incubated under PETRONAS Innovation Garage (PING), which serves as PETRONAS’ internal incubator, enabling employees to transform their ideas into viable startups. Established in 2023, PING offers selected employees entrepreneurship development programmes, coaching, access to resources, and funding, supported by policies that empower them to build their businesses as founders.
JAZRO Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Ir. Dzulfarqeish Bin Zainuddin, expressed his gratitude for the investment, stating, “We are deeply grateful for this significant investment, which validates our vision and empowers us to accelerate growth. This milestone is a testament to our team’s hard work and the trust our investors have placed in us. We are committed to driving innovation and creating value for the communities we serve. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, discover, and explore the exciting world of robotics.”
PING Chief Executive Officer, Zafirah Bahiyyah Zulkifli, shared her pride in JAZRO’s accomplishments, stating, “We are immensely proud of JAZRO’s achievements under Dzulfarqeish’s leadership and the positive impact they are making in education. As the incubator for employee-driven ventures, our role is to support innovative employees like Dzulfarqeish by providing him with the support he needs to build a thriving startup.”
Gobi Partners, a leading venture capital firm focused on Asia, aims to empower underserved entrepreneurs who drive meaningful community impact and innovation in emerging markets. The investment in JAZRO aligns with Gobi’s mission to bridge the digital divide by supporting startups that provide access to quality education and essential tools for success in the digital economy. Managing Partner (Malaysia) at Gobi Partners, Jamaludin Bujang, stated, “Our partnership with JAZRO reflects Gobi Partners’ dedication to nurturing startups that drive social impact through technology. We are confident that with our support, JAZRO will continue to expand its reach and inspire the next generation of innovators across the region.”
GDIV is part of Khazanah’s Future Malaysia Programme (FMP), an initiative under the sovereign wealth fund’s Dana Impak (Impact Fund) mandate, aimed at supporting the Malaysian startup ecosystem. Dana Impak serves as a crucial pillar of Khazanah’s Advancing Malaysia strategy, which focuses on delivering socioeconomic impact across six themes: Digital Society and Technology, Quality Health and Education for All, Decent Work and Social Mobility, Food and Energy Security, Building Climate Resilience, and Competing in Global Markets.
The investment from Gobi Partners will empower JAZRO to broaden its reach, enhance its educational programmes, and develop innovative robotics solutions. By making robotics education more accessible, JAZRO aims to equip the younger generation with essential skills to thrive in the digital age and contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth.
