KL Startup Summit 2021 aims to revitalise early stage ecosystem
KUCHING: After two successful editions of the Cyberjaya Startup Summit in 2018 and 2019, the team behind the summit is bringing you the rebranded KL Startup Summit 2021, with its first edition being held from March 26 to 28, 2021.
The virtual summit is being held in partnership with Microsoft Malaysia as the main sponsor this year.
According to summit director, Inbaraj Suppiah, “This summit is going to be action-oriented, with all stakeholders and partners committed to providing resources for the growth of our Malaysian startup ecosystem, and we’re grateful that Microsoft Malaysia has shown their full commitment and support for our local ecosystem.”
“Startups play a vital role in our economy as innovators, disruptors and first-movers. We’re excited to be part of the KL Startup Summt, to help enable local startups make real impact in their markets and drive digital innovation in the region.
“We look forward to walking with more founders along their growth journey and supporting them to scale and achieve more,” said K Raman, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia.
With a central theme of ‘Talk Less, Do More’, KLSS 2021 will be 100 per cent virtual given the current circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Inbaraj said that “Between now and the summit date, we are hoping that some of the key activities can still be physical events albeit with full SOP adherence, if the government lifts the MCO restrictions in the near future.”
This startup summit will be very focused on early stage startups and founders where the aim is to inspire new startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as help them connect with investors, mentors, corporates, partners, and talent.
The various sessions at KLSS 2021 will comprise of insightful talks, interactive discussion panels and a series of masterclass workshops by successful startup founders, ecosystem builders, investors, corporates and government partners.
The summit will be structured along several themed tracks with confirmed tracks such as HealthTech, LawTech, FinTech, Blockhain, MobilityTech, EdTech and Digital Marketing with various partners such as DoctorOnCall, Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), Blocklime, Access Blockchain Association, Socar Malaysia, Forward School and many other ecosystem partners.
In 2019, the Cyberjaya Startup Summit hosted a private pitching session between selected startups and potential investors. For the KL Startup Summit, the organisers will be hosting a “Shark Tank” style event for on-the-spot fundraising, in partnership with StartFund.
The organisers are currently curating good-fit investors who are passionate about supporting early stage startups and are able and willing to sign term sheets on the spot.
Inbaraj went on to say, “These types of pitch-style formats create a lot of excitement and energy in the ecosystem and can inspire a whole new generation of entrepreneurs and founders.”
No summit will be complete without an exhibition and KLSS 2021 will not disappoint. What would be a first for a Malaysian startup event will be the digital exhibition format where Malaysian startups will be able to virtually showcase their products and services to potential customers, investors, and partners.
“During the last two summits that we held, startups that showcased their products received amazing traction and several even garnered investor interest from their exhibits. This year, we hope to replicate that success in the virtual format,” said Inbaraj Suppiah.
The summit will also host a JomHack hackathon demo day and an Ideathon specially designed for tertiary students who are interested in entrepreneurship. More details will be furnished very soon as details are being firmed up.