Sunway iLabs and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur celebrate five years of partnership that has propelled cross-border innovation and collaboration, advancing the startup ecosystem in both Malaysia and Japan.
This long-standing alliance brings together leading Japanese startups and scale-ups in digital transformation and sustainability, leveraging Sunway City Kuala Lumpur’s thriving ecosystem as a dynamic launchpad to enter the Southeast Asia market.
The partnership between Sunway iLabs and JETRO has seen significant achievements over the past five years, including the acceleration of 30 startups, launch of 15 pilot projects, and over RM10 million in funding secured for technology localisation and development, as well as commercialisation in Malaysia and beyond.
One notable alumnus of the Sunway-JETRO Accelerator programme is Toybox Creations and Technology Sdn Bhd (also known as TOY EIGHT), an AI-driven edtech solution for inclusive education. Having established its Malaysian business in Malaysia in 2020, TOY EIGHT has since successfully expanded in several neighbouring countries. TOY EIGHT was recently honoured with the Best Startup of Digital/AI category at the One ASEAN Startup Award 2024 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Matt van Leeuwen, Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs, shared his excitement for the continued partnership with JETRO:
“Innovation and sustainable development are in the DNA of Sunway Group — that was how Sunway had transformed an abandoned tin mining land into Malaysia’s first fully integrated smart and sustainable city, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, where meaningful collaborations have driven this partnership journey.
“2024 marks a significant milestone with JETRO as we celebrate five years of partnership. Together, we’ve fueled cross-border innovation, helped startups thrive, and witnessed meaningful impact across multiple sectors.”
This year, the Sunway iLabs–JETRO Green Transformation Accelerator (GXA) Programme focuses on sustainability. The programme provides startups an engaging platform to be immersed in the Malaysian business ecosystem, collaborating with Sunway Group and its business partners.
The GXA programme, previously the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DXA), had been renamed to reflect the programme’s shift in focus to further drive innovation in green technology and commitment to contribute to Malaysia’s target of net-zero by 2050. Five selected startups with specialised expertise in sustainability participated in the recently concluded second round of the GXA programme, and currently developing their pilot trials in Malaysia:
- Ocean Eyes: Ocean Eyes has the technology to improve the fisherman catch amount. It is a “Fishers Navi” B2B SaaS. Including the tech of Fishing Ground forecast and Sea Condition forecast. Learn more: https://oceaneyes.co.jp/en/home-2
- Innoqua: Innoqua used AI/IoT to recreate the marine and aquatic ecosystem on land, replicating conditions to support species reproduction and applying to many research themes, such as, checking the effect of the sunscreen on the coral. Learn more: http://corp.innoqua.jp/en
- Godot: Godot provides an AI-driven behavioural intelligence platform that helps identify behavioural gaps and promote positive actions for green transformation and healthcare innovation. Learn more: https://godot.inc/en/
- PNH (AirX Coffee): AirX Coffee creates bioplastic products using coffee grounds, reducing plastic waste and pollution. Through the CarboneX initiative, PNH is developing a portable machine that converts organic waste into biochar using a unique catalyst which enables pyrolysis at just 100°C, making the process more energy-efficient while producing biochar for fertilizers and clean energy. Learn more: https://airxcoffee.jp/en/ , https://upcycletech.jp/en/top-en/
- PtBio: PtBio leverages advanced biotechnology to solve social issues by offering two services: genome analysis such as rapid selection of superior varieties with “BioDX” and enhancing organism functionality through “genome editing.” Learn more: https://www.pt-bio.com/en
“Our partnership with Sunway iLabs allows Japanese startups to explore the Malaysian market and serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, pilot projects, and long-term collaborations between Japan and Malaysia. These efforts solidify Malaysia’s standing as a global innovation hub while advancing critical goals like green transformation and net-zero targets,” Koichi Takano, Managing Director of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur.
The GXA programme saw Sunway Group’s business divisions and other corporate partners comprising private and government-linked companies eager to embark on the journey of green transformation.
The programme received further support from Malaysia government agencies, such as the Malaysia Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC), where the five Japanese startups pitched and networked with potential partners at Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention, held at the KLCC Convention Centre on October 17, 2024.
Meanwhile, InvestKL also supported the programme, sharing insights with the Japanese startups on company establishment through their Greater KL Live Lab initiatives, with which Sunway iLabs has been closely linked with since 2019.
With five strong years of impactful collaboration, Sunway iLabs and JETRO Kuala Lumpur are set to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation, sustainability, and cross-border growth for years to come.