KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) will continue to facilitate stronger linkages between start-ups and investors by encouraging deeper industry-start-up collaboration in high-impact sectors.
MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim said it will work closely with ecosystem partners to position Malaysia as a competitive destination for innovation-led investments.
"Malaysia has strong foundations (in) talent, capital, infrastructure and a clear national direction, (and) we must now bring these strengths together in a more coordinated and deliberate way.
"If we succeed, we will not only nurture start-ups, but also build companies that anchor industries, generate quality jobs and compete confidently on the global stage,” he said in his opening remarks at the Beyond4 Strategic Engagement Session 2026 on Malaysia’s Start-Up Ecosystem today.
The half-day programme aimed to foster collaboration, explore investment opportunities, and identify strategic interventions that can accelerate the development of a world-class start-up ecosystem in the country.
Sikh Shamsul said MIDA has focused on attracting investment into Malaysia as the investment landscape evolves, with investors now placing greater emphasis on ecosystem strength, technological capabilities, and long-term growth potential beyond incentives.
Recognising this shift, he said the agency is expanding its role by strengthening its efforts to connect the ecosystem by bringing together multinational corporations, local industries, start-ups, research institutions and investors, in addition to investment promotion.
"We want clearer roles across the value chain, stronger connections between start-ups and corporates, and better linkages with investors, both domestic and international.
"For investors here today, Malaysia offers more than promising founders. We offer industrial depth, regional connectivity within ASEAN, improving infrastructure and a stable policy environment,” he said.
He noted that start-ups are not peripheral players but potential partners in industrial upgrading, digital transformation and supply chain resilience, and with the right support and access, they can contribute meaningfully to broader economic goals.
Globally, he said, start-ups are reshaping industries by introducing new technologies, improving productivity and, in some cases, challenging long-established business models.
"For Malaysia, this shift is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Through the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and related national initiatives, we have set a clear direction -- to move towards a more innovation-driven, high-value economy,” he added. - Bernama
