Artem Ventures, through its subsidiary Artem PACE, has concluded PACE Bootcamp 2025, a nationwide rollout of its intensive three-day entrepreneurship programme conducted across Johor, Penang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor.
Building on last year’s 10-week programme held only in Kuala Lumpur, this year’s expansion was designed to ensure early-stage founders across Malaysia—especially outside the Klang Valley—gain equal access to resources, mentorship, and industry networks.
106 Companies, 170 Participants, and 100+ Hours of Training
Since launching in 2024, PACE Bootcamp has focused on addressing fundamental gaps among early-stage founders, including pitching, storytelling, product development, and go-to-market planning. The three-day programme is open even to entrepreneurs with just an idea, guiding them through the business model canvas, product refinement, and a final pitch.
For 2025, Artem PACE received over 400 applications across biotech, sustainability, agritech, medtech and edtech. The nationwide bootcamp brought together 106 companies, 170 participants, 80 hours of workshops, 20 hours of pitching, and 11 expert speakers, creating one of Malaysia’s most extensive grassroots entrepreneur development efforts.
The programme culminated in a Grand Finale in Kuala Lumpur, where top startups from each state pitched to investors and ecosystem leaders. Feedback highlighted strong gains in product development, financial planning, BMC refinement, and storytelling.
“PACE Bootcamp 2025 demonstrates our commitment to giving every aspiring founder, regardless of location, the platform to kickstart their journey,” said Tunku Omar Asraf, Director of Artem PACE.
Cradle returned as the Grand Finale Title Partner, alongside strategic partners including PayNet, IIB, Grab Malaysia, GXBank, Google, MDEC, and WORQ.
Cradle Group CEO Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke praised the programme’s expanded state coverage, “Initiatives like this are essential to broaden Malaysia’s innovation pipeline. We’re proud to stand alongside Artem PACE in empowering future founders.”
PayNet, a key partner of this year’s expansion, emphasised its commitment to digital inclusion.
“Supporting PACE Bootcamp’s rollout across six states reflects our vision of shared prosperity,” said Gary Yeoh, Chief Marketing Officer of PayNet.
One of the programme’s standout achievements was its high percentage of women-led participation, with several states exceeding 30% women founders or co-founders.
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Johor: 56% women
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Penang: 36% women
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Kelantan: 62% women
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Negeri Sembilan: 50% women
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KL & Selangor: 29% women
MyDigital Johor partner IIB highlighted the impact of this inclusivity.
“It’s inspiring to see new founders stepping forward—programmes like this strengthen regional innovation,” said Mydiana Madzlan, Head of Ecosystem Building, IIB.
The top three Malaysian startups for PACE Bootcamp 2025 were announced:
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Ablesen (Selangor) – patented tech for early diagnosis of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC), improving accessibility and affordability of cancer detection.
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Putra Agrotech (Selangor) – biotech/agritech solutions developing high-yield paddy seeds to strengthen Malaysia’s food security.
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Medisuri (Kuala Lumpur) – a medical travel platform promoting Malaysia as a Halal Smart Surgery destination.
Best Women-Led Startup
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Million Virtue Partners (Kuala Lumpur) – an integrated CSR, zakat, and grant fund management platform designed to strengthen transparency and governance.
These startups will join Artem Ventures’ shadow portfolio, receiving extended mentorship and partner support.
Artem PACE General Manager Nadhirah Mustafa emphasised the need to decentralise startup resources, “Many resources remain concentrated in the Klang Valley. By expanding into more states and uplifting women founders, we’re helping new entrepreneurs push boundaries and build ventures that create real impact.”
The PACE Bootcamp 2025 Grand Finale marks a significant milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s early-stage innovation ecosystem. Artem PACE plans to continue scaling national-level programmes to equip founders with the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to build high-impact ventures.