Inaugural KL Startup Summit to kick off March 26

• Microsoft Malaysia to serve as main sponsor; supporting sponsors include MaGIC, MDEC
• KLSS 2021 aimed at early stage startup founders, connecting them to investors, mentors

THE KL Startup Summit (KLSS) 2021, a rebranding of the Cyberjaya Startup Summits that was held in 2018 and 2019, will see its first edition being held from March 26 to 28.

KLSS 2021, which will be a 100% virtual event, will be held in partnership with Microsoft Malaysia as the main sponsor this year, KLSS said in a statement.

Supporting sponsors for the three-day summit include Stripe, MaGIC (Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre), MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), Xero, Ampersand Agency, Finnext Capital, ipaymy, Tuas Capital Partners and The Hive Southeast Asia.

“This summit is going to be action-oriented, with all stakeholders and partners committed to providing resources for the growth of our Malaysian startup ecosystem, and we’re grateful that Microsoft Malaysia has shown their full commitment and support for our local ecosystem,” said Inbaraj Suppiah, summit director for KLSS.

K Raman, managing director of Microsoft Malaysia, said: “Startups play a vital role in our economy as innovators, disruptors and first-movers. We’re excited to be part of the KL Startup Summt, to help enable local startups make real impact in their markets and drive digital innovation in the region.

“We look forward to walking with more founders along their growth journey and supporting them to scale and achieve more.”

The summit’s aim is to support the early stage startup ecosystem and create opportunities for early stage founders to build and grow their startups.

The focus will be on early stage startups and founders, with an aim to inspire new founders and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as connect them to investors, mentors, corporates, partners and talents.

The summit will be structured along several themed tracks with confirmed tracks such as healthtech, lawtech, fintech, blockhain, mobilitytech and edtech, with various partners such as DoctorOnCall, Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), Blocklime, Access Blockchain Association, SOCAR Malaysia, Forward School and many other ecosystem partners.

KL Startup Summit 2021 will kick off with the Microsoft Developers Day on March 26. Microsoft Developers Day is a developer’s conference in the form of a virtual program that brings together keynote speakers, industry champions, community leaders, business owners and developers over the course of a day.

Virtual access to KLSS 2021 will be free for all startups, though an optional US$12.14 (RM50) ticket will entitle participants to a “Swag Kit”. Corporate and investor tickets are priced at US$72.87 (RM300) each.

More information on the summit here. Tickets can be purchased here.