Petronas FutureTech 3.0, an accelerator program to nurture technology startups, is now open to applicants in the Asia Pacific region, the first time the program is expanding beyond Malaysian shores.

Co-organised by Petronas Ventures and Singapore-based innovation, venture and startup enabler, StartupX, FutureTech 3.0 is a platform to uncover innovations and game-changing technologies, and to̶ accelerate these transformative ideas into real business solutions.

With seven new Corporate Partners on board – Gentari Sdn. Bhd., Tenaga Nasional Berhad, DRB-HICOM Bhd, Sembcorp Industries Ltd, Hyundai Motor Company, Vitol and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, – the third edition of the programme is expected to impart industry best practices while providing startups greater market access for growth and scalability across the region.

“Petronas is excited to expand its strategic partnership regionally, allowing participants to tap into the vast entrepreneurial experience and C-Suite mentorship as well as access to the right tools, support, resources and the possibility for startups to test-bed their solutions,” Head of Petronas Ventures Arni Laily Anwarrudin said in a statement.

He is anticipating impactful solutions and positive outcomes from FutureTech 3.0 to its pool of cross-functional partners, promoting sustainability and growth globally.

“In an industry where it is constantly evolving, recent world events and the pace of energy transition have pushed us to adopt a future-first approach for the energy industry,

“Hence, Petronas believes that we have to pivot ourselves towards developing technology-driven sustainable solutions that will establish ourselves as leaders in the industry for the future,” he added.

The third installment will focus on solutions in the Future of Industry and Work, Future of Chemical and Materials, Future of Energy and Mobility and Frontier Technology, with an emphasis on Sustainability-related technology solutions.

Twenty shortlisted startups in FutureTech 3.0 will undergo a 12-to-16 week hybrid program from May 2023, that include masterclasses, workshops and coaching by Corporate Partners and industry mentors as well as global entrepreneurs.

The programme will culminate into a Demo Day at the end of August 2023, where the shortlisted startups will get to pitch their solutions to the C-suites of PETRONAS and its Corporate Partners, investors, potential collaborators, among others.

FutureTech 3.0 will also be supported by Cradle, Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), Multimedia Development Corporation (MDEC), Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), SG Innovate, Leave a Nest Group, National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), MyStartup and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Applications are open until 31 March 2023. Interested startups can get more details on the programme and apply via petronasft.thestartupx.com