MYStartup NXT, a series of micro conferences by MYStartup under Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), has opened the curtain in 2024 at a new location, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, in a conference involving more than 200 participants in the startup ecosystem, not only from Johor but also Singapore.
Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof Bin Apdal, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, has inaugurated MYStartup NXT Johor with Datuk Ts. Dr Mohd Nor Azman Hassan, Deputy Secretary General (Technology Development) MOSTI, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Chief Executive Officer of Cradle Fund Group Sdn Bhd, and Dato’ Idzham Mohd Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), who are also present.
Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd. (Cradle), Malaysia’s focal point agency for the startup ecosystem under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), has been pivotal in driving MYStartup NXT.
This initiative is aligned with the overarching goal of cultivating a globalised, high-performing, inclusive, and sustainable ecosystem for the country.
This year, Johor has been chosen as the inaugural location for MYStartup NXT to continue realising the national goal of creating over 5,000 quality startups by 2025 and providing them with the comprehensive support and resources needed to thrive in the startup ecosystem.
Previously, in 2023, MYStartup NXT successfully covered four (4) locations, commencing in Cyberjaya, followed by Sarawak, Penang, and Sabah, which garnered a total of over 1,000 attendees.
Participants benefit from sharing business strategies, including planning and revenue enhancement, funding support, and inspirational stories from local entrepreneurs, government agencies, industry experts, and others.
Johor’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem is experiencing significant growth, driven by strategic positioning, proactive government initiatives, and a burgeoning talent pool. Located close to Singapore, a vibrant tech hub, Johor is a strategic gateway for startups, providing valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration, and talent acquisition.
According to StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index Report, Johor Bahru has risen to 404 places, securing a spot among the top 600 cities in the world in 2023 and solidifying its position among the top 1,000. Johor Bahru also jumped nine spots in Southeast Asia, ranking 13th while maintaining Malaysia’s third most vibrant ecosystem.
The one-day micro-conference, organised in collaboration with Iskandar Investment Bhd. (IIB), is set to be an engaging platform for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to learn, network, and expose themselves to corporates, technology giants, investors, and other relevant stakeholders in order to start and scale their businesses.
“Fulfilling its mandates, MYStartup remains committed to empowering startups in the country, and our commitment knows no boundaries. We will continue to address challenges encompassing capital, talent, and infrastructure constraints. I’m confident that Johor’s landscape will flourish and serve as a pivotal catalyst for our economic growth,” said Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof Bin Apdal.
NXT Johor kicks off with a thought-provoking opening panel discussion entitled “Elevating Innovation: Igniting Diversity in Johor’s Startup Culture,” featuring representatives from Cradle, Holistics Lab, and Start iiX, in addition to sharing sessions from local startups, namely Kestrl, Sayur Kita Asia, and Materials in Works.
A spotlight session on “Tackling the Talent Challenge: From Skill Set to Mindset” also took place, highlighting the demands of the future workforce by fostering the requisite skills and cultivating a mindset conducive to innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning, followed by a fireside chat titled “Ecosystem Resilience: Revolutionising Johor through Collaborative Initiatives.”
More information on MYStartup can be found at www.mystartup.gov.my.
