Sunway iLabs, Jetro conclude 2024 Green Transformation Accelerator Programme
KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Innovation Labs (iLabs), a smart partnership between Sunway Group and Sunway University, joined hands with the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) Kuala Lumpur for the fifth consecutive year, and recently concluded the 2024 Green Transformation Accelerator (GXA) programme.
The GXA programme is a platform for startups and scaleups from Japan seeking to expand into Malaysia’s market. This year, the programme was designed to foster innovation and solutions in the net-zero areas, including food security, renewable energy and energy efficiency, circular economy, and resilient cities, to drive green transformation.
Its objectives encompass providing Japanese tech companies with a stage to demonstrate their innovative solutions, facilitating the growth of Japanese tech companies in Malaysia and the broader Asean region, fostering collaboration between Japanese and Malaysian enterprises, and advancing the development of smart sustainable cities in Malaysia and the Asean region.
Five Japanese companies were selected for the twomonth GXA programme from a pool of applicants, showcasing the keen interest of Japanese firms in crossborder collaboration and sustainable innovation within Malaysia.
“Through our collaboration with Sunway iLabs, we have fostered a path for Japanese startups to establish their presence in the Southeast Asian region through Malaysia.
“With the success of the previous cohort startups launching their business in Malaysia, we are highly looking forward to the progress the current batch will make through our programme,” said Hiroyuki Nitta, deputy managing director of Jetro Kuala Lumpur.
Throughout the intensive two-month long GXA programme, these startups were immersed in Malaysia’s vibrant ecosystem, leveraging the extensive networks and support of Sunway Group, JETRO Kuala Lumpur, and knowledge partners, such as the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Mentorship and guidance were provided on various aspects, including the Malaysian market landscape, business needs, cultural differences between the two countries, Malaysia’s corporate transition towards net zero, and potential business and investment opportunities in Malaysia.
Matt Van Leeuwen, Sunway Group chief innovation officer, as well as Sunway iLabs CEO and director highlighted the significant achievements of the programme, stating, “Over the one month, more than 50 business discussions have been established, focusing on forging strategic partnerships with between the Japanese companies and Malaysian corporates, investors and startups.
“The GXA programme not only facilitates valuable business connections but also allows university researchers to learn about the latest technologies from Japan, fostering meaningful research collaborations that drive innovation in sustainability within Malaysia and technology localisation.”