The Startup World Cup Malaysia 2025 – Kuching Final made history as the prestigious global startup competition arrived in East Malaysia for the first time, bringing together East Malaysia’s entrepreneurial minds for a pitch showdown at TEGAS Digital Village.
Organised by Growth Charger, the official organiser of Startup World Cup Malaysia, and proudly supported by Cradle as the Title Partner, the event spotlighted bold, innovative startups from across Borneo aiming to scale globally.
Ten shortlisted startups pitched their groundbreaking solutions to an esteemed panel of judges, with the winning team earning a coveted spot to represent East Malaysia at the Startup World Cup 2025 Grand Finale in Silicon Valley. There, they will compete with global champions from over 70 countries for a chance to secure USD 1 million in investment prize from Pegasus Tech Ventures.
“We welcome the expansion of the Startup World Cup to East Malaysia as a meaningful step towards ensuring that no innovative idea is left behind – regardless of where it originates. Sarawak and Sabah are home to some of the country’s most promising startups, driven by bold ideas and strong entrepreneurial spirits. At Cradle, our mandate goes beyond funding, we are building the infrastructure, networks, market access needed for all Malaysian startups to thrive. This is how we cultivate a truly inclusive innovation ecosystem and accelerate national progress through entrepreneurship, said Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle
“In line with our continued strategic partnership with Startup World Cup Malaysia 2025, Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) is pleased to award an additional RM10,000 cash prize to the East Chapter Champion, in support of their representation of Malaysia at the Global Finale in San Francisco, and as part of our commitment to advancing high-potential startups from Sarawak onto the international stage,” said YB Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Sarawak and Chairman of TEGAS.
“This initiative reflects our ongoing efforts to nurture innovation, enhance global exposure, and strengthen Sarawak’s position in the regional startup ecosystem,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of SDEC, Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman commented that bringing the Startup World Cup Malaysia 2025 to Kuching is a significant turning point for East Malaysia’s innovation journey.
“This is a powerful reminder that groundbreaking ideas can emerge from any corner of the world, and Sarawak is no exception. Our innovators are not only competing for a title, but also stepping up to lead on the global stage.
To the winner heading to Silicon Valley, you carry with you the hopes and aspirations of an entire region and nation, and I wish the team every success,” Sudarnoto said.
This milestone was made possible through the support of Strategic Partners: Cyberview, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and TEGAS; Ecosystem Partners: Malaysia Debt Ventures (MDV), WORQ, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Makeramai Makerspace, iCube Innovation, Startup Miri, as well as other incubators, accelerators, and community builders across East Malaysia; and Venture Capital Partners: including early-stage investors, angel networks, and regional VC firms committed to empowering Malaysian startups.
“Bringing the Startup World Cup to East Malaysia is more than just a milestone. It is a moment of pride for us. We are honoured to provide a global stage for startups from this vibrant region right here at home. It is our hope that this marks the beginning of greater visibility, opportunity, and belief in the potential of startups from this region. We are here to champion their journey and stand alongside them as they scale beyond borders.” Iskandar Shafi’i, Co-Founder and Director, Growth Charger
The standout pitch came from Evolving Brilliance Technologies, who captivated the judges with their full-stack technology and project partner for land-based assets management, built at the intersection of agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
“We are incredibly excited and honoured to be crowned the East Champion. Representing Sarawak and Malaysia on a global stage like Silicon Valley is a dream come true, remember to evolve brilliantly with evolving brilliance.” said Moses L Vinsien, Co-Founder of Evolving Brilliance Technologies.
“Our journey would not have been possible without the amazing support we have received from the ecosystem. Key entrepreneurship programmes such as Sarawak Shell LiveWIRE, Digital Village Accelerator (DiVA), and Scale Sarawak played a vital role in sharpening our business model, strengthening our product offerings, and expanding our network across the region,” added Ashweein Narayanan, Co-Founder of Evolving Brilliance Technologies.
The Kuching Final is the second and final national chapter, following the KL Final held earlier this month. Winners from both regions will advance to the Startup World Cup 2025 Grand Finale in Silicon Valley this October, representing Malaysia on the global stage.
About Growth Charger
Growth Charger incubates, accelerates, and scales businesses within Southeast Asia, providing deep operational and technical support to aspiring entrepreneurs. To date, Growth Charger has nurtured over 250 startups across Malaysia. For more information, visit: [https://www.growthcharger.com/]
About Startup World Cup
The Startup World Cup is a global startup competition powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, offering innovation and investment opportunities to entrepreneurs worldwide. National winners from over 70 countries compete for the grand prize of USD 1 million in investment.
