KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) crowned 10 startups as the champions of the Selangor Accelerator Programme 2023 (SAP23). The programme’s much-anticipated Final Demo Day, was the culmination of the eighth Selangor Smart City and Digital Economy Convention 2023 event, where 20 innovative startups participated in showcasing their cutting-edge solutions to a diverse audience of investors, industry experts, and potential partners, Sidec said in a statement yesterday.

Chosen under two categories, the winners were:

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

● Reskills Edtech Sdn Bhd

● Dreamory Entertainment Group Sdn Bhd

● Biib - Neupulse Sdn Bhd

● Mysyarikat - Byond Tech Global Bhd

● Gotechup - Tech Up Advance Sdn Bhd

Biotechnology:

● Maeko - Mentari Alam EKO (M) Sdn Bhd

● Braintree Technologies - Braintree Technologies Sdn. Bhd.

● Midwest Composites - Midwest Composites Sdn Bhd

● Ultimeat - Ultimeat (M) Sdn Bhd

● Bio Tree Pharmaceutical - Bio Tree Pharmaceutical (Int) Sdn Bhd

The winners will be sharing a pool of RM200,000 prize money, global recognition, an overseas trip, and invaluable business networking investment opportunities.

The Sixth Cohort of SAP23 unveils Selangor's commitment to driving innovation within startups, placing a spotlight on verticals including Sustainability Impact, Healthtech, Agritech, and the newly added realms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotech. The event marks a significant milestone in the SAP23 program, highlighting the progress and achievements of the participating startups while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the thriving ecosystem of technology and innovation.

“This year, SAP has successfully attracted 40 highly competitive startups, ranging from seed round to series A funding, out of a staggering 232 applications. What sets us apart is our ability to attract founders not only from Malaysia but also from the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, and Bangladesh,” said Sidec CEO Yong Kai Ping in a statement yesterday.

SAP23’s comprehensive two-month program includes training workshops, pitching mastering classes, industrial visits, and a semi-final round. The 20 semi-finalists are selected by a panel of esteemed judges from Invest Selangor Bhd, Malaysia Venture Capital Management Bhd, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Cradle Fund, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, Auto Count, Petronas Venture, and Xeraya Capital.

Supported by the Selangor State Government, SAP has been a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth, offering startups a nurturing environment to develop their ideas, access mentorship, and secure funding for scaling their ventures. This programme provides a platform for these startups to pitch their scalable business idea, unveil latest technology, and engage with potential investors, corporate partners, and industry experts.

Affin Bank is the primary sponsor for SAP23.