The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), together with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), has unveiled Startup ASEAN, a platform designed to bolster the regional startup ecosystem and position ASEAN as a global hub for innovation.
Startup ASEAN, launched ahead of Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, is part of the ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite initiative under Malaysia’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). The platform aims to foster startup-friendly policies, enhance ecosystem readiness, and drive meaningful collaborations across the ten ASEAN Member States.
Minister of MOSTI, Chang Lih Kang, described the initiative as a gateway to the ASEAN startup community. “Through this initiative, we aim to empower entrepreneurs, connect innovators, and foster a thriving ecosystem that drives regional growth and innovation,” he said during the launch.
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle, emphasised the role of Startup ASEAN as a catalyst for regional cooperation. “This platform will empower startups to scale and drive sustainable economic growth through dynamic programmes, including regional hackathons targeting AI, sustainability, and climate tech,” he added.
H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Economic Community, highlighted the region’s vast potential, noting that ASEAN’s startup ecosystem already comprises over 11,000 startups with a collective value of US$131.2 billion.
The soft launch was officiated by Chang Lih Kang during the Malaysia-China Summit 2024.
