In a major milestone for Malaysia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Melvin Chee, CEO and Co-Founder of RPG (Rocket Paradise Group), and Gerardo “Jerry” Salandra, CEO and Co-Founder of Respond.io, have been selected as Endeavor Entrepreneurs at the prestigious International Selection Panel (ISP) held in Singapore this month.
Their selection marks a significant step forward not only for their respective companies, but also for Malaysia’s growing presence on the global innovation stage. As Endeavor Entrepreneurs, they join a global network of more than 3,000 high-impact founders building category-defining businesses across markets.
The ISP represents the culmination of Endeavor’s rigorous multi-stage selection process, designed to identify and support entrepreneurs who demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and the potential to scale internationally while reinvesting in their local ecosystems.
“Our two new entrepreneurs are outstanding examples of how globally scalable companies can be built from Malaysia for the world,” said Shan Li Tay, Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia. “Both Jerry and Melvin are growing their businesses beyond borders, serving customers across multiple markets and demonstrating the global potential of Malaysian-based businesses.”
Founded in 2017, RPG (Rocket Paradise Group) is a Malaysian “house of brands” creating lifestyle products loved by consumers across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Through brands such as Montigo, OiYO, and Casebang, RPG builds and scales offerings across categories including drinkware, children’s foodware, and mobile accessories.
Today, RPG operates more than 60 physical stores across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with a mission to create authentic, joyful brands that resonate with modern consumers.
“Melvin represents a new generation of local entrepreneurs proudly building world-class brands such as Montigo from Malaysia,” said Andy Hwang, General Partner at Wavemaker Partners, who served as a panelist during the ISP assessment. “I’m confident that RPG’s story will continue to inspire other entrepreneurs in Malaysia and beyond.”
Reflecting on the journey, Melvin Chee shared, “Endeavor has meaningfully accelerated our growth by surrounding us with an ecosystem of founders, mentors, and operators who’ve been there before. The quality of conversations and shared experience has sharpened our decisions and raised our ambition.”
Founded in 2017, Respond.io helps businesses in high-consideration sectors turn customer conversations into revenue. The platform brings together messaging, email, web chat, and voice into a unified solution, powered by AI tools that enable companies to deliver fast, personalised support at scale.
Today, more than 10,000 brands across 126 countries use Respond.io, including British Airways, Mazda, and Radisson Hotels.
“Jerry’s journey is one of resilience and relentless belief. When cash was tight, he did whatever it took—offering lifetime subscriptions to survive. That grit built the foundation for what is now a profitable AI-powered SaaS platform serving 10,000+ brands in 126 countries,” noted Roshini Bakshi, Endeavor Global Ambassador and Managing Director Private Equity & Head of Impact at Everstone Capital Advisors, who also served as a panelist. “He is intellectually agile, decisive under pressure, and unafraid to evolve the model when needed. Respond.io is at a pivotal moment, and with Endeavor behind him, the upside feels meaningful and very real.”
“The ISP process gave us the opportunity to step back and gain a deeper perspective on our business,” said Jerry Salandra. “Being part of Endeavor’s global network, with strong local landing support, will be pivotal as we continue expanding our global footprint.”
“Malaysia has ambitious, resilient, and talented founders, and we can feel the momentum starting to pick back up after the recent slowdown. In Jerry and Melvin, Endeavor is proud to select two entrepreneurs who are thinking BIG,” said Evan Bullington, Lead Director of Entrepreneur Selection at Endeavor Global.
As Endeavor Entrepreneurs, Melvin and Jerry will gain access to a global network of mentors, strategic advisors, and potential investors. The support is designed to help address key scaling challenges and accelerate the growth trajectory of both RPG and Respond.io, enabling them to expand their impact and continue driving innovation in their respective industries.
The ISP panel featured prominent global business leaders including Hooi Ling Tan, Co-Founder of Grab; Matt Harris, Partner at Bain Capital Ventures; Veronica Serra, Founding Partner at Innova Capital; Arvind Rajan of Cricket Health; Abdulmajeed Alsukhan of Tamara; and Raoul Oberman of Sasya Terra Pte Ltd. Their cross-sector expertise in venture capital, fintech, healthcare, and strategic consulting underscored the high standards and global perspective of the selection process.