5 start-ups selected for inaugural HLB LaunchPad mentorship programme

KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Bank Bhd (HLB) has selected five start-ups for the inaugural HLB LaunchPad mentorship programme, focusing on three areas, namely simplifying banking today, digitising customer journeys and experience and re-imagining banking for tomorrow.

In a statement yesterday, HLB said the five startups were Blinkware Technology, CapitalBay, Kakitangan.com, Propsocial and Sales Candy International.

The bank said the HLB LaunchPad is the product of Malaysia’s first public-private partnership between Hong Leong Bank, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Business Angel Network, Malaysia’s official trade association and governing body for angel investors and clubs.

“The programme aims to reach out to start-ups and the entrepreneurial community to nurture new ideas and talent that would reinvent the way we bank tomorrow,” the public-isted banking group added.

HLB group managing director and chief executive officer Domenic Fuda said partnerships such as this offer various opportunities.

“It elevates the brand, helps reduce cost and drives differentiated offerings.

“These in turn aid customer retention and uncover exciting prospects for new revenue streams,” he said.

HLB said through the threemonth mentorship programme, the five start-ups are to be mentored by the bank’s senior management.

“They will obtain first-hand exposure to the knowledge, experience and expertise of key people driving products, business, and infrastructure development, as well as cutting-edge technologies, within the public listed banking group.

“Additionally, an allowance of up to RM25,000 per start-up would be available for them to further enhance their product or service offerings,” the bank added. Bernama

It elevates the brand, helps reduce cost and drives differentiated offerings. These in turn aid customer retention and uncover exciting prospects for new revenue streams,”

DOMENIC FUDA Hong Leong Bank Group managing director