GXBank Berhad (GXBank) and Grab Malaysia (Grab) have successfully wrapped up their inaugural joint startup accelerator programme, TeXnovasi, unveiling three standout fintech startups poised to drive greater financial inclusion in Malaysia.
Emerging as the grand winner of TeXnovasi is Finory.tech, a fintech startup leveraging proprietary statement-parsing technology to extract, categorise, and analyse financial data for improved money management. Swipey, a CFO Tech platform that combines finance operations and banking for SMEs using automation and AI insights, secured second place. Cashku, a digital financial planning app offering advisory and investment tools, rounded out the top three.
The accelerator marks the culmination of a six-month journey to identify and nurture high-impact fintech solutions tailored to the needs of underserved communities in Malaysia. As part of their next phase, all three winning startups will collaborate with GXBank to develop proof-of-concepts (POCs), potentially paving the way for commercial integration into the bank’s suite of customer offerings.
TeXnovasi was supported by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) and 1337 Ventures, and was designed to foster innovation that addresses financial gaps faced by gig workers, B40 communities, and micro-entrepreneurs—segments often overlooked by traditional financial services.
“TeXnovasi is a testament to our shared belief with Grab in the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive our nation forward,” said Fadrizul Hasani, Chief Technology Officer of GXBank. “Our purpose is to capitalise on technology to serve the real financial needs of Malaysians. Seeing startups like Finory.tech, Swipey and Cashku develop such impactful solutions validates our belief in the power of homegrown innovation. We are humbled by their commitment and look forward to this journey to build a more financially resilient Malaysia.”
Grab’s Regional Head of Loyalty and Marketing, Hassan Alsagoff, added: “The vision, passion, and ingenuity we’ve seen from the startups have been inspiring. Grab is committed to creating economic opportunities through our ecosystem, and this programme is a natural extension of that mission. Their solutions are not just innovative; they are essential. They address tangible gaps in the market and have the potential to uplift communities.”
The programme attracted nearly 60 applicants, with the top five startups shortlisted for intensive mentorship sessions led by senior leaders from GXBank and Grab. These culminated in a Demo Day, where finalists pitched their business models to a panel of judges comprising industry veterans, venture capitalists, and representatives from the organising companies. Participants also gained insights through masterclasses on market strategy, operations, data protection, and cybersecurity.
Reflecting on their journey, Kee Hui Jiang, CEO and Co-founder of Finory.tech, said, “Being the first winner of TeXnovasi is great, but the true prize was the invaluable guidance and raw honesty shared by our mentor, and the management of Grab and GXBank. Starting a business can be terrifying, especially when you’re driven by a deep desire to solve a problem that weighs heavily on your community. Hearing firsthand accounts of triumphs and struggles has been profoundly humbling and empowering.”
As Malaysia continues to accelerate its digital economy ambitions, programmes like TeXnovasi play a vital role in bridging the financial divide. By empowering fintech startups through mentorship, funding opportunities, and industry access, GXBank and Grab are laying the foundation for a more inclusive financial ecosystem—one that makes essential services accessible, affordable, and relevant to the everyday needs of all Malaysians.