Sunway iLabs-Jetro partnership secured US$2.2 mil for Japanese startup global expansion 

• Both parties have accelerated 30 startups & launched 15 pilot projects 
• Partnership connects Japanese startups to SEA via Sunway City Kuala Lumpur

Sunway iLabs and the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) Kuala Lumpur are celebrating five years of partnership, which has driven cross-border innovation and strengthened the startup ecosystem in Malaysia and Japan.

In a statement, both parties noted that this long-standing alliance has brought together leading Japanese startups and scale-ups in digital transformation and sustainability, using Sunway City Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant ecosystem as a launchpad for entry into the Southeast Asian market.

The partnership has achieved notable milestones, including accelerating 30 startups, launching 15 pilot projects, and securing over US$2.2 million (RM10 million) in funding for technology localisation, development, and commercialisation in Malaysia and beyond.

Matt van Leeuwen (pic), chief innovation officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs, stated, “Innovation and sustainable development are in Sunway Group’s DNA – that’s how Sunway transformed an abandoned tin-mining area into Malaysia’s first integrated smart and sustainable city, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, where collaborations have driven our partnership journey.”

“2024 marks a significant milestone with Jetro as we celebrate five years of partnership. Together, we’ve fuelled cross-border innovation, helped startups thrive, and witnessed impact across various sectors,” van Leeuwen added.

Meanwhile, Koichi Takano, managing director of Jetro Kuala Lumpur, commented, “Our partnership with Sunway iLabs has enabled Japanese startups to explore the Malaysian market. It also facilitates knowledge exchange, pilot projects, and long-term collaborations, advancing critical goals like green transformation and net-zero targets.”

A notable alumnus of the Sunway-Jetro Accelerator is Toybox Creations and Technology Sdn Bhd (Toy Eight), an AI-driven edtech startup that having established its Malaysian business presence in 2020, has expanded into neighbouring countries and won the Best Startup in the Digital/AI category at the 2024 One Asean Startup Award.

This year, the Sunway iLabs–Jetro Green Transformation Accelerator (GXA) Programme focuses on sustainability, offering startups an immersive platform within the Malaysian business ecosystem in collaboration with Sunway Group and its partners.

Previously named the Digital Transformation Accelerator (DXA), the programme was renamed to emphasise its shift towards green technology and its commitment to supporting Malaysia’s net-zero target by 2050.

Five selected startups with specialised sustainability expertise recently completed the second GXA round and are now developing pilot projects in Malaysia. These include:

• Ocean Eyes: This startup enhances fishing efficiency with its “Fishers Navi” B2B SaaS, which provides Fishing Ground and Sea Condition forecasts. Learn more here: https://oceaneyes.co.jp/en/home-2
• Innoqua: Using AI/IoT, Innoqua recreates marine ecosystems on land to support species reproduction and research, such as studying sunscreen effects on coral. Learn more here: http://corp.innoqua.jp/en
• Godot: Godot’s AI-driven platform identifies behavioural gaps to encourage actions that support green transformation and healthcare innovation. Learn more here: https://godot.inc/en/
• PNH (AirX Coffee): AirX Coffee produces bioplastics from coffee grounds, reducing plastic pollution. Its CarboneX initiative creates biochar efficiently for fertiliser and clean energy. Learn more here: https://airxcoffee.jp/en/, https://upcycletech.jp/en/top-en/
• PtBio: PtBio addresses social issues through genome analysis and enhancement of organism functionality. Learn more here: https://www.pt-bio.com/en

The GXA programme attracted Sunway Group’s business units and corporate partners, including private and government-linked companies, all committed to green transformation. Support also came from Malaysian government agencies, including the Malaysia Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (Mranti) and the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec). The five startups pitched and networked at the Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention at KLCC on 17 October 2024.

InvestKL contributed by advising Japanese startups on business establishment in Malaysia through its Greater KL Live Lab initiatives, in which Sunway iLabs has been a key partner since 2019.

After five impactful years, Sunway iLabs and Jetro Kuala Lumpur stated that they remain committed to advancing innovation, sustainability, and cross-border growth.