KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem is gaining strong momentum as applications to participate in the third season of Innovathon doubled to 2,032 this year, reflecting growing confidence among Malaysians to develop homegrown solutions with commercial and social impact.
Finance Minister II and Acting Economy Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the sharp increase in participation demonstrates that more Malaysians are willing to come forward and showcase high-quality innovations that can contribute to national well-being and economic advancement.
“The people of Malaysia have many great ideas. What we need is not only research and private sector involvement but also opportunities for people to share their ideas and bring them to life,” he said at the Innovathon Season 3 press conference today.
He added that Innovathon plays an important role in nurturing an entrepreneurial and innovative society that can drive Malaysia’s transformation into a more competitive, knowledge-based economy.
“Innovathon is not just a TV programme, it is a catalyst for Malaysia’s ambition to build a culture of innovation,” Amir Hamzah said. “It supports our efforts under the 13th Malaysia Plan to increase economic complexity through a stronger ecosystem for research, development, commercialisation and innovation.”
To encourage participation and innovation-driven entrepreneurship, the Economy Ministry has increased the total value of the Business Development Support Fund from RM1 million to RM1.65 million this year. Fifty-six local innovators will compete for the top prizes, with the grand winner set to receive RM100,000 in cash and RM500,000 in business support funding.
The competition, jointly organised by the Economy Ministry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), aims to provide a platform for Malaysian innovators to refine, test and commercialise their ideas.
This year’s competition introduced targeted auditions at five key innovation hubs, including Cradle Fund, the National Institutes of Health, Universiti Teknologi Mara Melaka, Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Academy in Kuala Kubu Bharu alongside open auditions across six regions nationwide.
The televised eight-episode series will air from Dec 6 to Jan 25 2026 on Astro Ria and RTM’s TV1, offering national visibility to local innovators and their creations.
Amir Hamzah said innovation is central to Malaysia’s broader economic strategy, especially as the country seeks to strengthen its competitiveness and diversify its economic base. “What is important under the 13th Malaysia Plan is to raise our economic complexity. It starts with ideas and Innovathon is proof that Malaysians are rich with ideas.”
He added that the government is committed to guiding participants beyond the competition phase, through continued ecosystem and funding support to help translate ideas into viable products and services.
Mosti secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad emphasised the importance of follow-up and mentorship after the competition.
“Not everyone will win, but among those who don’t, many still have great potential. Our ministries will continue supporting them with funding, networking and guidance so that their ideas can benefit society,” he said.
During the press session, Amir Hamzah also addressed Malaysia’s economic outlook ahead of the third-quarter gross domestic product announcement, expressing optimism about the country’s resilience despite global challenges.
“Even though the global economy remains uncertain, Malaysia continues to show resilience,” he said, noting that early data indicates 5.2% growth across multiple sectors.
He highlighted strong performance in construction (over 11%), mining (over 10%), and private consumption (over 5%), reflecting a broad-based recovery and confidence in Malaysia’s growth fundamentals.
“Our efforts to enhance the economy are bearing fruit,” he said. “Last year, Malaysia recorded RM384.5 billion in approved investments. This year, we have already reached RM190 billion as of June, 18.7% higher than the same period last year. This shows that foreign investors continue to believe in Malaysia’s economic model.”
Amir Hamzah said the government’s focus on building an innovation-led economy through initiatives such as Innovathon will continue to play a key role in sustaining long-term growth and attracting high-value investments.
He added that innovation trends observed over the three seasons of Innovathon reflect an encouraging shift toward technology-based solutions with practical applications.
“Between 30% and 40% of innovations presented this year focused on improving daily life from automotive and industrial technologies to healthcare tools,” he said.
“This shows Malaysians are not only thinking creatively but also innovating with purpose.”
Amir Hamzah expressed hope that Innovathon will continue to grow as a platform connecting innovators, investors and the public, while fostering a stronger culture of creativity and scientific curiosity.
“Malaysia has no shortage of talent in research and innovation. What we need is to keep nurturing these ideas so they can flourish and make a real difference for society,” he said.
