The MYStartup Pre-Accelerator Cohort 5 reached an exciting conclusion, as 12 standout startups took the stage at Demo Day. Developed and administered by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), the programme provided four months of intensive mentorship, hands-on training, and strategic business development to help early-stage startups refine their ideas and scale their ventures.
From an initial 30 startups, 12 finalists were selected to present their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to a panel of industry leaders, unveiling breakthrough innovations in fintech, agritech, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. Following a rigorous evaluation process, five startups emerged as winners, each awarded RM35,000, along with ongoing support and exclusive access to MYStartup’s growing ecosystem of mentors, investors, and partners.
The winning startups demonstrated groundbreaking
solutions across diverse industries:
• Cynco: An AI-powered platform revolutionising
accounting by automating the
transformation of raw data into accurate
financial statements, offering business
owners
a faster, more affordable, and secure
solution.
● Reclimate: Climate tech empowering farming
communities to drive climate action
through biochar.
● InsuredSpeaks (by Psytorm Sdn. Bhd): An
AI-powered policy reviewer platform where
users can review and rate health insurance
products and customer service
experiences.
● CourtIQ: A computer vision-powered sports
analytics platform that tracks movement,
analyses performance, and delivers game-changing
insights, all with just a
smartphone.
● Lestagro: Plant Vitalizer formulated from
natural bioactive compounds, vitamins, and
amino acids to reverse plant heat stress and
transform fertilisers into ‘super’ fertilisers.
The judging panel featured key figures from
Malaysia’s startup ecosystem, including
Juliana
Jan, Senior Vice President, Grant and Investment
of Cradle, Audra Pakalnyte, Partner of
FirstMove, Low Zhen Hui, Managing Partner of
ARTEM, and Xelia Tong, Chief Operating
Officer of pitchIN, who evaluated the startups
based on their level of innovation, market
potential, scalability, and execution strategy.
Beyond the competition, the programme was a
testament to the resilience and ambition of
Malaysia’s startup community. Over the past four
months, the founders navigated the
challenges in product development, customer
validation, and go-to-market strategies, guided
by seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts.
The event not only highlighted their progress
but also fostered meaningful connections between
startups, investors, and ecosystem players,
reinforcing Cradle’s role in shaping the next
generation of innovative businesses in Malaysia.
Speaking at the event, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cradle, emphasised the programme’s impact, “The progress achieved by these startups showcases the depth and potential of Malaysia’s entrepreneurial landscape. Through platforms like MYStartup, we are committed to nurturing the next wave of high-impact startups, equipping them with the tools and connections they need to thrive.”
“At Cradle, we have dedicated ourselves over the
last 2 decades to empowering early-stage
startups by providing them with structured
guidance, real-world insights, and direct access
to experienced mentors. The startups in Cohort 5
have demonstrated immense resilience and
ambition, and we are proud to be part of their
journey. We extend our congratulations to the
winning teams, finalists, and all participating
startups. The impact we see from programmes like
the Pre-Accelerator is a proof that Malaysia’s
startup landscape is maturing, and Cradle
remains committed to sustaining this momentum,”
continued Norman.
One of the winning startups, InsuredSpeaks by
Pystorm Sdn Bhd shared their experience in
the programme. Shankari Sukumaran, Co-Founder of
InsuredSpeaks, said, “This journey has been
transformative for us. The mentorship,
structure, and validation we received have
sharpened our approach, and the insights from
industry experts helped us fine-tune our
product for market fit. While winning this prize
is an incredible boost, the true value lies in
the long-term connections and insights gained.”
Another winner, Hazli Johar from Cynco highlighted the impact of mentorship “One of the most valuable aspects of this programme was learning from experienced founders who shared their successes and failures. The advice we received helped us avoid common pitfalls and better position ourselves for scaling.”
Initiated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) and fully developed and operated by Cradle, MYStartup serves as a single-window platform for startups to access funding, programmes, markets, and knowledge resources. As part of the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) 2021-2030, Cradle runs structured programmes such as pre- accelerators, accelerators, investor networking, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that Malaysian startups receive end-to-end support throughout their growth journey, which aims to position Malaysia among the top 20 global startup ecosystems by 2030.