MIDA and Beyond4 Convene 2026 Strategic Engagement to Strengthen Malaysia’s Start-Up Ecosystem
Strategic Partnership Aims to Foster Business Growth, Innovation, and High-Value Job Creation while Strengthening Malaysia’s Digital Economy
Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2026 – The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), in collaboration with BEYOND4, successfully hosted the Strategic Engagement Session 2026 on Malaysia’s Start-Up Ecosystem today at MIDA, Kuala Lumpur. The session brought together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and relevant Malaysian start-up ecosystem partners to explore strategies for positioning Malaysia as a leading regional hub for high-growth start-ups and innovation.
The half-day programme aimed to foster collaboration, explore investment opportunities, and identify strategic interventions that can accelerate the development of a world-class start-up ecosystem in the country.
The session started with an Opening Address by Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim bin Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, who highlighted the nation’s commitment to strengthening its innovation landscape and supporting high-potential technology companies. He emphasised that while MIDA has traditionally focused on investment promotion, the agency is now expanding its role as an ecosystem connector, linking start-ups, corporates, investors, research institutions, and Government agencies.
“Start-ups are key drivers of innovation, industrial growth, and economic transformation,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim. “Through initiatives such as this Strategic Engagement Session, MIDA aims to enhance start-up visibility, facilitate industry linkages, and provide structured support to help these ventures scale and access both domestic and regional markets.”
Mr. S.T. Rubaneswaran, Chief Executive Officer of BEYOND4, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the importance of integrated talent development, innovation frameworks, and partnerships in catalysing start-up growth across Malaysia.
Knowledge Sharing and High-Impact Discussions
The session also featured a Start-Up Sharing Session, where founders shared real-world experiences, highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced by early-stage ventures.
A panel discussion on Strategies to Create a World-Class Start-Up Ecosystem in Malaysia brought together leaders from:
- Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd.;
- Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB);
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM); and
- Qarbotech Sdn. Bhd.
The discussions focused on enhancing Malaysia’s attractiveness to global innovators, strengthening ecosystem connectivity, nurturing investable start-ups, and creating sustainable pathways for commercialisation and regional expansion.
Participants also explored cross-agency collaborations to support talent pipelines, technology adoption, and scaling opportunities across key sectors, reflecting MIDA’s commitment to facilitate start-up growth, foster partnerships, and integrate innovative solutions into Malaysia’s broader industrial and investment ecosystem.
In conjunction with the event, Yayasan Pahang launched the Pahang Startup Blueprint 2030, a strategic framework to strengthen the state’s start-up ecosystem, developed with contributions from MIDA and Beyond4. The initiative reflects MIDA’s collaboration with the state government and the shared commitment of key stakeholders to support innovation and sustainable ecosystem development.
The Strategic Engagement Session 2026 underscores MIDA’s role not just as the government’s principal investment promotion agency, but a proactive enabler of innovation and entrepreneurship, ensuring that Malaysia remains a competitive and attractive destination for start-ups, investors, and industry partners alike.
Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, MIDA CEO
MIDA-BEYOND4 Strategic Engagement Session
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About MIDA
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel.
About BEYOND4
Beyond4 (B4) is dedicated to fostering and expanding ecosystems across Southeast Asia, with a focus on talent development, enterprise innovation, and startup growth. As a recognized leader in Malaysia, we have extended our presence to Singapore and established strategic partnerships in India, the United Kingdom, France, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Our unique accelerator models are tailored to help governments and enterprises address pressing challenges through innovative solutions. These models are developed within the robust partner network of the Beyond4 ecosystem and are delivered by a specialized team of experts to ensure impactful results.
We are at the forefront of establishing Malaysia and Southeast Asia as global hubs for innovation, growth, and entrepreneurship.
For media enquiries, please contact:
MIDA
Mr. Awangku Fiarulnazri Awang Tajudin
Head of Corporate Strategy and Revenue Management Section
Phone: +603-2267 6682
Email: [email protected]
BEYOND4
Ms. Syarifah Syaidatul Izzati
Phone: +60179339787
Email: [email protected]
