Sabrie Salleh is an award-winning entrepreneur who first made his mark by scaling Burger Bakar Abang Burn into a nationwide franchise, a journey that earned him ASEAN’s “Young Entrepreneur of the Year.” Today, he is Co-Founder & CEO of PeopleWorks.ai, Malaysia’s pioneering AI-powered HR outsourcing firm that helps SMEs scale with world-class people systems. As a Board Member of Universiti Putra Malaysia, he drives governance, investment, and strategic growth at one of the nation’s leading universities. Known for resilience and visionary leadership, Sabrie transforms bold ideas into enterprises that shape industries and empower business leaders.

Jeffri Shahul Hamid is a Malaysian entrepreneur and digital innovator with over two decades of experience in technology and business. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from University College London, he began his career in 1999 building regional data centres for a multinational corporation before founding Teneo Group in 2002, delivering innovative technology solutions to businesses. He is also the founder of Enginemailer, Malaysia's homegrown email marketing SaaS platform that currently serves clients from over 140 countries. Jeffri is also a founding member and Executive Director of Kloudius Services, a Software Development Centre of Excellence serving US-clientele. At the Entrepreneurs Summit 2025, Jeffri will share insights on scaling ventures through innovation, resilience, and global collaboration.

Harmender Singh is the Senior Vice President of the SUPER Project Management Office (SUPER PMO & Special Projects) at Cradle, leading strategic initiatives aligned with the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) and reporting to the Advisory Committee & MED4IR Council. With over 20 years’ experience across MNCs, GLCs, SMEs, and consulting, he has driven transformative projects in sectors spanning telecommunications, property, government, and commercial industries. A certified coach, mentor, and change management specialist, Harmender is passionate about developing startups. He holds a Law degree from the University of Liverpool, an MBA from Lansbridge University, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at HELP University & CMI UK.

Adrian Waters has over 20 years of experience in strategy and mergers & acquisitions, completing more than $15 billion in global transactions during his career with the Big Four. After transitioning from advisory to entrepreneurship, he founded Whizzbangidea, where he helps professionals build businesses they love, and leads as Head Coach at RocketFitness, guiding executives to achieve healthy high performance. Adrian also supports Nexea in driving corporate innovation, connecting startups with corporates to create growth opportunities across Malaysia and beyond. His mission today is to build companies that matter while helping leaders thrive in both business and life.

Farid is the Senior Vice President of MDV. He joined MDV’s Venture Finance division, responsible for sourcing, evaluating and executing credit application under the Venture Finance mandate. Prior joining MDV, he was the Executive Director with Regulus Capital Group. Regulus Capital is a Dubai based Asset Management Company focusing in private equity, fixed income and advisory services with an AUM of US$1 billion. Farid Rosli has over 20 years of exposure in private equity and venture capital investment in both Arabian Gulf and South East Asia regions. With Regulus Capital Group, he was tasked to manage investment and facilitated acquisition exercise in both healthcare and education sectors in the GCC and SEA regions.

Karen Puah is a Council Member of the Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN).
She is a seasoned fintech ecosystem builder with over 20 years of experience in strategy, communications, and marketing. Karen has led national initiatives to drive financial inclusion, foster innovation, and strengthen Malaysia’s startup and investment landscape. Through her role at MBAN, she champions angel investing as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and economic growth.

David Chin is currently CEO at Spark. David has played an integral role to the overall growth of Spark since its inception. David has led business development activities with Spark’s growing network of tech partners and spearheaded new initiatives such as Spark’s Thought Leadership forums, Expert Workshops and Masterclasses. David is also responsible for Spark’s overseas expansion, building strategic relationships with tech, business and government leaders in Singapore and across Southeast Asia. David brings with him a diverse portfolio of experiences in B2B Tech Go-to-Market strategy, C-level programmes and omni-channel technology B2B marketing.

Kazrin has over 12 years of experience working within the financial services industry. Previously worked in Khazanah, primarily overseeing investments within the financial services industry - namely within banking, insurance and fintech. He was part of the team developing Khazanah’s fintech investment strategy, which then led to time spent on secondment to Touch ‘n Go’s strategy team.

Ken Lau has more than a decade of experience at the intersection of startups, corporates, and government in driving digital and innovation transformation. As a former Acceleration Director and Mentor-In-Residence at MaGIC (now MRANTI), he supported founders in scaling through government-backed programs. His startup later gained regional recognition and international awards. For corporate innovation, his clients have included global brands and government-linked organizations. With this blend of public, private, and entrepreneurial experience, Ken brings practical insights on how startups can leverage both fundraising and government partnerships to accelerate growth and build sustainable success stories.

Paramjit Singh Gill is the Co-Founder of Bilabila Mart, one of Malaysia’s emerging convenience store chains, and Executive Director at Exsim Hospitality Berhad, where he drives growth across retail, property, and hospitality. He also oversees corporate finance for Exsim Group and sits on the board of BEDI Berhad. With over 16 years of experience in corporate investment banking, private equity, and venture capital, Paramjit has held senior roles including Chief Investment Officer at MAVCAP and Malaysia Cluster Head at OCBC’s Mezzanine Capital & Special Opportunities unit. He brings together entrepreneurial insight and financial expertise to support growth strategies that deliver long-term value.

Nicsmans Ong is the Founder and CEO of Netmedias Group. After completing his early education in Singapore, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing, International Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Tasmania in 2005. He began his career in the banking sector, gaining valuable experience in financial markets before pursuing his entrepreneurial vision. In 2014, he founded Netmedias, which has since grown into 12 entities across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and soon Dubai. Under his leadership, the Group now operates in more than 25 countries across APAC, MENA, and Europe, with a vision to become a world-class market leader.

Yuhwen Foong is the Co-founder of SushiVid, one of Southeast Asia’s pioneering influencer marketing platforms, and The Social Anti Social Society (SASS), a community space for introverts to mingle but quietly. With over 10 years as a bootstrapped founder, she has helped brands, SMEs, and agencies run impactful influencer campaigns, connecting them with creators across Asia. Passionate about entrepreneurship and influencer marketing, Yuhwen shares her journey and lessons through social media, offering practical insights on building startups, scaling sustainably, and leveraging creators to grow businesses.

Justin Lim began his career at CIMB during the 2007–2008 financial crisis, gaining first-hand experience in navigating complex global markets. Rising to Associate Director in credit trading, he managed a G7-denominated trading book and spearheaded CIMB’s retail bond franchise. Recognized as The Asset’s Most Astute Investor for Asian G3 bonds (Malaysia) from 2016 to 2018, Justin also drove innovations in Indonesia’s retail bond distribution landscape.

Yeoh Chen Chow is the Founder of 1% Advisory & Coaching, guiding entrepreneurs and leaders to unlock their fullest potential. He co-founded Fave Group, which was later acquired by Pine Labs, and currently serves as Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Foodie Media Berhad and Independent Director of Audience Analytics Limited. As an angel investor, Eisenhower Fellow, and Cornell University alumnus, Chen Chow continues to shape the region’s startup and business landscape.

Hardesh Singh has built his career at the intersection of startups and sustainability. As Managing Partner at Jati Growth and Accelerator Lead at Watchtower and Friends (WTF), he supports early-stage entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Through founding Sustainability Matters and advancing ESG awareness, Hardesh is shaping a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.

Ben Lim founded NEXEA in 2015, and today it invests & supports Startups with over RM1 billion in revenues in total. NEXEA connects Startups with 50+ Angel Investors, 20+ Corporate Partners, and all relevant Government agencies. 

Vivy Yusof, has transformed her passion into a successful venture. A London School of Economics graduate, Vivy started as a blogger and evolved into a prominent entrepreneur, co-founding The dUCk Group and leading The FV Group. Under her leadership, these brands have become a Malaysian e-commerce fashion empire, with dUCk becoming a cult label. Vivy's journey showcases how dedication and vision can turn passion into a thriving global brand.

Andrew Yap, has transformed a passion into a global phenomenon. As the co-founder of BookXcess and Big Bad Wolf Ventures, Andrew is committed to making books more affordable and accessible. His mission to spread literacy has seen him bring joy to over five million readers, selling more than 30 million books in 34 cities across 13 countries and territories. Through his work, Andrew is making books the "New Coffee" for knowledge seekers worldwide.

Thinesh Kumar Asogan, has harnessed his expertise to drive significant impact. After earning a Business Management degree from KDU Penang University College, Thinesh became the CEO of Lapasar.com in 2017, focusing on digitizing small businesses in Malaysia. His leadership has helped modernize commerce, enabling local enterprises to thrive in the digital age. Thinesh's journey reflects how dedication and vision can transform industries and empower communities.

Dr. Ingky serves as the Board President for various early stage startups, bringing to the table his rich experience as a medical dermatologist and a seasoned entrepreneur with three successful business exits. His prowess in social media marketing, where he has garnered over 1 million followers, is a testament to his ability to amplify brand presence and consumer engagement. Due to his unique blend of medical expertise and business acumen, Dr Ingky is currently an advisor, mentor and his commitment to mentoring new entrepreneurs underlines his dedication to nurturing the next generation of business leaders and innovators in the tech space.

Thomas Yip, with over 17 years in the CAD software industry, founded Radica Software and led it to a successful acquisition, excelling in product vision, market positioning, and growth strategies. As the Software Engineering Director at Siemens Digital Industries Software, he drives innovation and operational excellence. His expertise includes financial analysis, marketing, and HR management. Additionally, Thomas mentors early-stage startups, dedicated to fostering future tech leaders.

Ex entrepreneur with 13 years of experience in management, marketing, and ecosystem building across multiple industries. Currently serving as the VP of Strategic Alliances & Partnerships at Alliance Bank, he has spearheaded initiatives that have driven significant revenue growth and help earned industry recognition, including "Best SME Bank in Malaysia."

Leading multiple portfolios of Sales and Marketing related solutions targeting to help Malaysian MSMEs to digitalize their business. An enthusiast with strong passion in technology, data in business development. Carrying along a vast background especially in the digital and marketplace space. Spent 11 years building and monetising Malaysia #1 C2C Marketplace assuming different kind of hats which includes, product management, product development, operation, business development, partnership and business directing.

Mohamad Yusman Ammeran has over 18 years of experience in the ICT industry, starting as a service engineer before joining TM, where he held various leadership roles, including Head of Product and Innovation at TMOne and CEO of a TM subsidiary. Currently the Vice President of Unifi Business, Yusman is responsible for empowering PMKS businesses through technology adoption and digital transformation. His efforts help boost productivity, competitiveness, and participation in the global supply chain. Under his leadership, Unifi Business won the Best Fixed Broadband Business Award at PC.COM in 2023.

Liew, a Royal Military College alumnus, completed undergraduate and graduate schools in the USA under scholarships and former top market analyst, founded MDT Group with 42 IPs and USD 30 million in FDI. He advances Malaysia's ICT sector through MDEC, MOSTI, and global events, and is an Adjunct Professor at UTAR, honored as MBOT Senior Technologist at ENTICE 2024.

Shibu Vadaketh is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience in strategic planning, M&A, technology audits, and operations across the US, Asia, Australia, and Europe. With 20 years in the technology industry and a decade leading a successful consulting firm, he has worked with government agencies and presented high-impact projects to economic leaders. Shibu serves as a Technology Fellow at the Asia School of Business, co-founded Capital Path, and advises PFAN on climate projects. An entrepreneur and mentor, he has founded startups and established programs supporting entrepreneurship and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Matt is the Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs, an innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs. With a background in commercialization at PlaTCOM Ventures and entrepreneurial experience from three startups in the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia, he has a deep understanding of innovation. Before entrepreneurship, Matt was a consultant at Cambridge-MIT Institute and an Analyst at Imperial Innovations. He holds a BSc in Biomedical Sciences and an MSc in Science & Business from Utrecht University. Recognized as a 2020 Personality of the Year by PC.com and Business Today, Matt continues to drive impactful innovation at Sunway iLabs.

Since 2019, Idzat Naqeuddin has led Doople Tech as its founder and principal shareholder, with over 9 years of experience in the photovoltaic industry. He holds multiple patents, particularly in Solar Grid Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV) design, and is recognized as a Green Technology Professional by Lembaga Teknologis Malaysia. Idzat’s entrepreneurial success has been highlighted by his top 3 ranking in the Entrepreneurship Program by Angel Investors, showcasing both his technical expertise and business acumen.

Saifulbahri Hassan has over 23 years of experience in various technology-related sectors ranging from IT services to manufacturing. Saiful spent the last 18 years in Private Equity and Venture Capital investing in various stages of enterprise development and its funding needs. He is also active in the development of the domestic and international private investing eco-system from influencing policymaking to building linkages with international eco-systems. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from University of Missouri-Kansas City, Missouri, USA and obtained his Master’s Degree in Management from the International Islamic University, Malaysia.

Before joining The Hive Southeast Asia, Watson worked as a management consultant and buy-side investment analyst at a boutique investment bank in Malaysia. He also interned at Khazanah Research Institute and the UK National Audit Office. His experience has given him the ability to analyze companies at various stages of the investment cycle. As a Principal at The Hive Southeast Asia, Watson focuses on evaluating investment opportunities and managing early-stage portfolios. He holds a Master's in Management Science (Decision Sciences) from the London School of Economics and a First-Class Honors Bachelor's in Financial Economics from the University of Essex.

Kristina is the COO of ASB, overseeing campus operations, HR, finance, IT, marketing, and communications. She spent 30 years at Bank Negara Malaysia, where she led teams in HR development, strategy, corporate planning, international relations, and financial services negotiations for Malaysia’s free trade agreements. Kristina holds a BA in Economics from the University of Malaya and an MA in Economics & Social Studies from the University of Manchester, both under Bank Negara scholarships. She is also a Certified Professional in Learning Performance (CPLP) from the Association of Talent Development, USA.

With 9 years in entrepreneurship, his expertise spans idea validation, social impact, pitch deck creation, and fundraising. In 2016, he founded Grub Cycle, securing over RM 1 million from grants, competitions, and investors. As a serial entrepreneur, he pioneered sustainability-focused ventures like Pasar Grub and Oililin. He has earned accolades and represented Malaysia globally. Currently, he is using his experience and network to create an ecosystem hub at Asia School of Business.

Shafinaz Salim, Division Head of Technology Hub Development at Cyberview Sdn Bhd, has over 20 years of experience in strategy and ecosystem development. She leads initiatives to transform Cyberjaya into a sustainable global technology hub. Shafinaz previously held leadership roles at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and in financial corporations like Virtual Commerce and Bursa Malaysia.

Poh is the Founder and CEO of QuinRiver Capital. Previously, he was a Partner at AHAM Capital Asset Management's private equity arm and Head of M&A at RHB Investment Bank. He also worked in Hong Kong at a hedge fund and a boutique M&A firm, and started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Kuala Lumpur and London. Currently, Poh serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee at Public Packages Holdings Berhad. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney, is a CFA charter holder, and a Fellow of CPA Australia.

Poh is the Founder and CEO of QuinRiver Capital. Previously, he was a Partner at AHAM Capital Asset Management's private equity arm and Head of M&A at RHB Investment Bank. He also worked in Hong Kong at a hedge fund and a boutique M&A firm, and started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Kuala Lumpur and London. Currently, Poh serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee at Public Packages Holdings Berhad. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney, is a CFA charter holder, and a Fellow of CPA Australia.

Adlin is the Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia. He is an experienced digital leader, equipped with deep knowledge in the technology sphere and strong P&L management skills. He focuses on driving excellence through good leadership and empowerment. Prior to joining Endeavor, Adlin has co-founded 4 tech companies across different industries. He has also served large MNCs and corporates on digital transformation initiatives and venture building efforts. As the Managing Director of Endeavor Malaysia, Adlin aims to grow and strengthen the Malaysian chapter to create a large and long-lasting impact for the local ecosystem

Farhan is the founder of Products2U, a platform that connects sellers with resellers, making it easier for anyone to start their own business. His mission is to empower entrepreneurs by offering access to a wide range of products at competitive prices, with no upfront costs, and have been making headways since beginning his journey 3 years ago, serving a total of 5,000 monthly active agents nationwide and growing.

Effon Khoo is the founder of Kakitangan.com, a platform focused on HR and payroll management. He has held significant roles, including General Manager at ChinaCache and Programme Manager at Microsoft. Effon also co-founded MyRfid as its CTO. He holds a degree from Monash University (1998-2000) and earned a Master’s in Information Technology from 2001-2002.

Dr. Lim is the Co-founder and VP of AI at WISE AI, a leading Southeast Asian AI company certified by ISO30107 and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). His expertise in computer vision and deep learning led to the development of WISE AI’s Identity Document Verification technology, utilizing image segmentation, object detection, and OCR. Dr. Lim also contributed to an advanced ID fraud detection system. He holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. from the University of Malaya, has been a post-doctoral researcher, and served as a visiting scholar at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Jason Ding is the co-founder of leading proptech scaleup MHub - currently serving 70% of the property developer market powering digital transformation in marking, sales, post-sales and property management. MHub’s solution has been used for over 3,000 projects with an accumulated transacted value of USD 10.5 billion. On the nation building front, he impacts change as the Vice-President of the Malaysian Proptech Association. He sits in the national board of FGB Men’s Fellowship International. Jason was the national finalist of the ASEAN Startup Awards 2021 in the Founder Of The Year category.

A passionate writer with wide-ranging interests, Anandhi Gopinath covers the luxury lifestyle scene with a nuanced take on what discerning audiences look for when it comes to the good life. She writes primarily on watches, wheels, and whiskies, but this journalist at heart will never say no to a good story.

Audrey Raj, with a 19-year broadcast career, has interviewed a wide range of prominent figures, including politicians, CEOs, athletes, and celebrities. As a moderator, emcee, and host, she's partnered with brands like Volvo, Maxis, and Adobe. Currently, she's Director of Content & Strategy at a multinational martech consultancy, a creative content consultant for brands like AIA and Sunway, and a communications coach for entrepreneurs and founders.

Harmender Singh is Vice President of SUPER PMO & Special Projects at Cradle, appointed in April 2022. He oversees key strategic initiatives aligned with the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) and reports to the MED4IR council. With over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, including telcos and property, he is a certified coach and change management expert. Harmender holds a law degree, an MBA, and is pursuing a doctorate in business administration. He is passionate about innovation and startup development.

Andrew Yap, the Managing Director of BookXcess, is a self-made businessman who has revolutionized the book industry. His passion lies in providing affordable books to promote reading and improve literacy levels. Together with his wife and partner, Jacqueline Ng, they have successfully created an empire that offers English books across various genres at 50% - 80% off regular prices. BookXcess, known for organizing the renowned Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, has grown exponentially since its inception in 2006. With a keen eye for business and a commitment to accessibility, Andrew Yap continues to make a significant impact in the world of books.

Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad experiences encompasses the enablement of highly competitive and future-proof digital technology eco-system to transform Malaysia into a leading digital economy powerhouse. He also knowledgeable in telecommunication and information & communication technology (ICT) sectors and proven track record in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to ensure attainment of national and corporate aspirational outcomes impacting people, businesses and government.

Shashie Kumar, is the CEO of ATX Group, founded the business in 2011 to provide a digital value-added payment platform for retailers and mobile channel businesses in Malaysia to help supplement their existing business and increase traffic to their channels (i.e. footfall, web visits, downloads). We enable businesses to concentrate on their core business while using our platform and solution to generate extra revenues. ATX started with a single brand “Payhub” focusing on digitalizing bill payments collection at retail points with our first partner Astro. ATX now has 150 bill payments/reloads products with 31,000 touch points, 65 e-wallet partners and 65,000 agents via our various brands – Gopay, Mypospay and Runcit Hero. The company now has grown from 10 employees in 2016 to 35 employees with a revenue of RM 370M in FY2021.