Malaysian venture capital firm 1337 Ventures has invested in Arus Oil, a Malaysian startup transforming waste into renewable energy.
1337 Ventures said in a statement on Tuesday that this investment, made through the 1337 Accelerator Fund I, highlights it’s dedication to backing early-stage startups that are driving sustainability and innovation in Malaysia.
Under the guidance of 1337 Ventures, Arus Oil has established key strategic partnerships and secured over 20 corporate clients, driving both business to consumer (B2C) expansion and reseller opportunities.
1337 Ventures said it continues to support Arus Oil in refining its mobile collection systems, advancing research and development (R&D), and scaling operations to position the company for long-term growth.
“1337 Ventures has provided us with not just essential capital but also strategic connections that have been crucial to our growth,
“Their belief in our mission has enabled us to secure partnerships that are fueling our expansion,” Syazwan Majid, Founder of Arus Oil.
Founded in 2017 as a community-driven initiative, Arus Oil began by providing residents of Subang Jaya with centralized recycling points for materials like used cooking oil (UCO).
Recognizing UCO’s potential as a renewable energy source, Syazwan, along with Co-founders Dr. Chatichai Chong and Louis Ong, shifted focus entirely to oil recycling, turning it into a sustainable business now at the forefront of Malaysia’s waste-to-energy solutions.
It is noted that Arus Oil has already made a significant impact, having collected over 2 million kilograms of used cooking oil across the Klang Valley.
Their efforts gained further momentum with the launch of a Drop-Off Center in Subang in May 2024, and their recent partnership with TNG eWallet allows users to recycle used cooking oil and receive direct payments through their eWallets — a forward-thinking initiative aimed at boosting community participation in sustainability
“Investing in startups like Arus Oil highlights the importance of sustainability in the startup ecosystem,
“By helping them forge key partnerships and scale their operations, we’re enabling them to create a lasting environmental impact while building a scalable and robust business model,” said Bikesh Lakhmichand, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures.
The 1337 Accelerator Fund I, co-funded by seasoned angel investor and venture capitalist Asgari Stephens and former Chief Operating Officer of JobStreet.com, Suresh Thiru, alongside 1337 Ventures, was established to bridge the seed funding gap in Malaysia.
The fund strategically targets high-potential startups like Arus Oil, one of the standout successes from 1337 Ventures’ Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator program.
1337 Ventures said it remains committed to nurturing Malaysia’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Established in 2012, 1337 Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups.
Through Leet Academy, it has accelerated the growth of over 4,000+ startups from five different countries.
1337 Ventures collaborates with corporations on bespoke accelerators, corporate innovation initiatives, and digital transformation, helping individuals and organizations become more resilient.
Among its clients are FWD, NTIS, Bank Negara Malaysia, Khazanah Nasional, Telekom, Digi, MDEC, MaGIC, CIMB, RHB, and Maybank, among others.
Leet Capital, 1337 Ventures’ Securities Commission (SC)-licensed Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) platform, also connects startups with both angel and retail investors.
1337 Ventures has also created Muru-ku.com, a one-stop portal featuring 1,100+ Malaysian startups, venture capitals, grants, events, and problem statements, to bridge the gap between startups, corporations, and the government.
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