Get ready for an exhilarating kick-off at Malaysia Venture Forum 2023! 

Chairman of MVCA takes the stage to shed light on the association’s groundbreaking initiatives with key partners, propelling the VC & PE ecosystem in Malaysia to new heights. The welcome address is set to spark excitement, inviting you to a journey of high-energy insights, collaborative breakthroughs, and futuristic vibes. 

Keynote Speaker:

Sai Kit Ng

Chairman

MVCA

Embark on an exciting journey through the world of Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) in this lively panel discussion, an insider’s peek into the CVC universe with experienced practitioners from various industries. Uncover their secrets on spotting and backing promising startups, using CVC to supercharge value for their parent companies and gracefully maneuvering the challenges & risks that come with this thrilling venture. Get ready for a deep dive into innovation, strategy, and the nuances of CVC – this session is a must for those eager to navigate the vibrant landscape.

Speakers:

Datuk Thomas Leong 

Group Chief Strategy Officer

Sime Darby Berhad

Matt van Leeuwen

Chief Innovation Officer & CEO of Sunway iLabs

Sunway Group

Marien Kamal

CEO

Edgenta NXT

Moderated by:

Hanno Stegmann

Managing Director & Partner

BCG X

Explore the practical implications of Malaysia’s new Capital Gains Tax (CGT) introduced in the 2024 budget. This tax will affect the sale of assets like shares, properties and securities, with specific details and exemptions yet to be announced. Join us in this keynote as PwC shares straightforward insights and potential tax planning strategies. Whether you’re an individual investor, a business owner or a corporate executive, this session aims to provide feasible guidance for navigating the changes ahead.

Keynote Speaker:

Steve Chia

People Leader & Partner

PwC Malaysia

Gear up for the honest reality of the funding landscape in Southeast Asia, featuring our Official Data Partner, Alternatives.pe. In this keynote, we’ll touch on the dynamic world of VC funding, exploring dramatic shifts in amounts raised, round sizes, and valuations compared to previous years. This session promises an honest account of both setbacks and triumphs, spotlighting the successes and failures within the VC ecosystem. As an extra thrill, we’ll dive into the world of Private Equity (PE) deals, completing the narrative of this ever-evolving funding landscape. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insights armed with the latest data trends. Join us for a ride through the exciting sea of change!

Keynote Speaker:

Jason Edwards

Founder

Alternatives.pe

Venture capitalists (VCs) are now harnessing the power of ESG to gauge the potential and performance of their portfolio companies. But wait, how does ESG stand apart from impact investing, where the goal is not just financial returns but also positive social and environmental outcomes?

In this discussion, we’ll dissect the distinctions, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities each approach presents. Join us for a thoughtful exploration that aims to deepen your understanding of these two crucial elements in the world of finance. 

Panel Speakers:

Hui Yi Foong

Chief Impact Officer

Citrine Capital

Melissa Yeoh

Head of ESG & Partnership

MAVCAP

Heesu Jeon

SDG Impact Finance Specialist

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Moderated by:

Zhai Yun Tan, Nat (Moderator)

Editor of ESG

The Edge Malaysia

This expert panel will delve into the intricate landscape of exit strategies for VC and PE investments in Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on Malaysia. The session aims to explore the nuanced challenges and opportunities that influence exit decisions, considering factors such as valuation, timing, potential, readiness, risks, and diverse stakeholder interests. Additionally, the panel will assess emerging trends like secondary sales, SPACs, IPOs, and other innovative exit avenues within the SEA market, drawing comparisons with experiences from other emerging markets. The discussion will conclude with reflections on the broader impact and value creation resulting from successful exits within the ecosystem and society at large.

Panel Speakers:

Yuliang Chen

Founding Partner

Bee Alternatives

Aliff Omar

Senior Director, Investment

Ekuinas

Khairu Rejal

Investment Principal, Southeast Asia

Investible

Selvarany Rasiah

CEO

Kapital DX

Moderated by:

Zhen Hui Low (Moderator)

Managing Partner

Artem Ventures

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global economy and reshaped the venture capital landscape. As the world recovers from the crisis, interest rates are also rising, creating new challenges and opportunities for VC funds and their limited partners (LPs). How do LPs view the Southeast Asia region, which has shown resilience and growth amid headwinds? What are the expectations and preferences of LPs who provide capital to VC firms in the post-COVID and high-interest rate era? How do rising interest rates affect VC funds’ fundraising and investing activities in Southeast Asia? Join us for an insightful conversation with some of the most prominent VCs in the region as they share their perspectives and experiences on working with LPs in Southeast Asia.

Panel Speakers:

Muhammad Azraini Abdul Hamid

Group Head, Private Equity & Strategic Investments

BPMB (Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad)

Hian Goh

Founder, General Partner

Openspace Ventures

Yi Chung (YC) Ng

Partner

AC Ventures

Jeanette Lee

SVP, Investment

COPE Private Equity

Moderated by:

Bobby Liu (Moderator)

Director of EIR

Touchstone Partners

Join us for a laid-back yet insightful fireside chat featuring Nicholas Khaw, Head of Research, Economist, and Co-Head of Dana Impak at Khazanah Nasional, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. Nicholas will spill the beans on the government’s game plan for Budget 2024, dive into the macroeconomic conditions and outlook for Malaysia and the region, and share nuggets on private market trends and opportunities. Our moderator, Brian Fernandez, Chief Customer Success Officer at Biztech.asia, will steer the conversation with a set of engaging questions covering these hot topics. With a 40-minute duration, including 20 minutes for moderator questions and 20 minutes for audience Q&A, this fireside chat promises a casual yet professional exploration of the economic landscape.

Speaker:

Nicholas Khaw

Economist, Head of Research, Co-Head of Dana Impak

Khazanah Nasional

Moderated by:

Brian Fernandez (Moderator)

Chief Customer Success Officer

Biztech.asia

Recognizing that not every startup can achieve unicorn status, our panel aims to address the often overlooked reality within the funding ecosystem. Rather than solely fixating on high valuations, typically associated with the coveted US$1 billion unicorn status, the discussion will delve into how some funding ecosystems consider alternative outcomes. Our goal is to glean insights from the panelists regarding the diverse objectives they prioritize in their investment decisions, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the funding landscape beyond the unicorn pursuit.

Panel Speakers:

Nizam Mohamed Nadzri

CEO

MDV

William Lien

Co-Founder & COO

MyStartr

Farah Wahidah Ab Rafik

Head of Investment Unit, Cradle Seed Ventures

Cradle Fund

Shaharul’Azam Salleh

Senior Vice President

MTDC

Moderated by:

Iskandar Shafi’i

Programme Director

Growth Charger

Open to all attendees! Unwind, share experiences and solidify connections over music & drinks, ensuring the networking momentum continues beyond the forum.

Time: 6:30 PM onwards

Venue: ViceCIRCA KL, Plaza Batai, Bukit Damansara