Category Archives: entrepreneurship

Hasan.VC’s largest Demo Day unites 50 global startups driving the future of halal innovation

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Launched Fund Round 3 to drive ethical, values-led innovation Aims to support purpose-driven founders with capital, mentorship to scale impactful ventures globally Hasan. VC marked a major milestone in its mission to empower values-driven entrepreneurship with what it claims to be its largest-ever Halal Startup Showcase, celebrating the graduation of Cohort 003 from its flagship five-week accelerator programme. The event brought together nearly 50 startups representing 12 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, making it Hasan. VC’s most diverse and dynamic showcase to date. Throughout the day, investors, founders, and ecosystem leaders engaged in high-energy startup pitches, thought-provoking panels, and meaningful networking sessions underscoring Hasan. VC’s growing influence in advancing halal and ethical innovation across Southeast Asia and beyond. Since launching its accelerator programme, the company has supported over 120 startups, with more than 20 ventures directly funded and a founder community now spanning nearly 200 entrepreneurs. This milestone, it states, reflects the fund’s mission to bridge ethical capital with high-potential founders shaping the next wave of purpose-driven innovation. “What we’re seeing is the rise of a new generation of founders who are building with purpose, solving real-world challenges with integrity and innovation. Our founders are redefining what it means to build with impact, and we’re proud to be part of that journey,” said Mohd Akhtaar, general partner and head of accelerator at Hasan. VC. The event also marked the official launch of Hasan. VC Fund Round 3, unlocking new opportunities for investors to back promising startups across halal and ethical sectors. The fund deepens the firm’s commitment to combining financial performance with meaningful social and ethical impact. “The momentum we’re seeing across halal and ethical tech is only the beginning. As we launch our fund’s third round, we’re opening the door to even greater collaboration and impact. Our focus remains clear to identify scalable halal and ethical ventures, accelerate their growth, and deliver meaningful returns for investors who believe in values-driven entrepreneurship,” said Umar Munshi, managing partner at Hasan. VC. The showcase gathered a vibrant mix of angel investors, venture capitalists, institutional partners, and corporate leaders, all united by a shared belief: that ethical business can drive both profit and purpose. Conversations throughout the day extended beyond financial returns towards vision, values, and meaningful change. The success of Cohort 003 reaffirms Hasan. VC’s belief that entrepreneurship can be both impactful and ethical. With Fund Round 3 now open, the firm continues to expand its support for founders across the halal and ethical economy, providing them with capital, mentorship, and community to help them scale responsibly. For more information on Hasan. VC, its accelerator programme, or investment opportunities, visit www. hasan. vc. Continue reading Hasan.VC’s largest Demo Day unites 50 global startups driving the future of halal innovation→

Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Reflects On 20 Years Of Hard Work After Rapid Adoption, Netizens React, ‘Good Things Take Time’

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early two decades later, amid a national push for indigenous technology under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swadeshi” initiative, Zoho is finally witnessing accelerated adoption – a vindication of Vembu’s philosophy of perseverance over quick wins. Continue reading Zoho Founder Sridhar Vembu Reflects On 20 Years Of Hard Work After Rapid Adoption, Netizens React, ‘Good Things Take Time’→

Westports, iPay88, RCX Group leaders to speak at Entrepreneurs Summit VI

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Sessions will explore founder journeys to scale and insights from ecosystem builders Summit features keynotes and panels on high-growth business challenges and opportunities The Entrepreneurs Summit VI will return on 2 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysias leading one-day platform bringing together entrepreneurs, corporates, investors and government to accelerate collaboration, capital and growth. The summit will spotlight founder journeys, practical growth strategies and high-level networking designed to drive innovation across industries. Supported by media partner The Rakyat Post and community partner Next Up Asia, the summit includes keynote addresses and interactive panel discussions addressing the real challenges and opportunities of building high-growth businesses. Sessions will cover founder journeys to global scale, a Solarvest case study, the hidden truths of entrepreneurship, data-backed failure vs. scale analysis, innovation vs. execution, government partnership strategies, corporate co-founding models, 2025 investor trends, and sector forecasts for biotech, fintech and digital commerce. This years speaker line-up features business leaders and ecosystem builders, including: Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, executive chairman, Westports Holdings Kent Chua, CEO, RCX Group Chan Kok Long, co-founder, iPay88 & group CEO, Carehaus Sdn Bhd Arieff Aaron Abudullah, director, Invest Selangor Berhad Ben Lim, CEO & founder, NEXEA Too often we hear founders complain about the ecosystem funding, policy, competition. The truth is, Malaysia already has the talent, capital and ideas. What matters now is whether founders stop making excuses and start making moves. Entrepreneurs Summit VI gives you the tools, but what you build with it is on you. Winners turn insights into action; losers just keep talking, said Kent Chua, CEO of RCX Group. This summit brings together all the right players startups, corporates, investors and policymakers under one roof. This is where collaborations are born and future industries are shaped. We believe Malaysia has all the ingredients to produce world-class entrepreneurs, and gatherings like this give founders the momentum, resources and confidence to turn big ideas into global businesses, said Chan Kok Long, co-founder of iPay88 & group CEO of Carehaus Sdn Bhd. Meanwhile, Ben Lim, CEO & founder of NEXEA, said: NEXEA backs founders with capital and operational support; Entrepreneurs Summit VI multiplies that effect by creating focused opportunities to meet corporates, investors and policy influencers. The panels deliver practical insights from leaders whove scaled businesses, and the networking is engineered to produce measurable outcomes pilot conversations, advisory relationships or investor follow-ups. This year we expect over 1, 000 leaders, and participating organisations represent up to US$2. 2 billion (RM10 billion) in combined revenues, significantly increasing the chance of real commercial partnerships. The Entrepreneurs Summit VI is more than a conference it is a catalyst for growth, innovation and collaboration across Malaysias startup ecosystem. With its strong focus on founder stories, practical growth strategies and curated networking, the summit aims to accelerate entrepreneurs from idea to impact while positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for innovation. For more details about the event, visit www. entrepreneurs-summit. org. Continue reading Westports, iPay88, RCX Group leaders to speak at Entrepreneurs Summit VI→