Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), through Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, opened the Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (November 4).
The event, officiated by Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang, featured the theme “Build in Malaysia. For ASEAN & Beyond” and brought together startups, investors, corporations and ecosystem leaders. Alliance Bank was the title partner.
The summit saw the launch of the Startup ASEAN Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE), which builds on the Startup ASEAN platform launched in June 2025. The center was developed with the participation of ASEAN member states and adds seven digital modules: AI matching and insights, an ASEAN knowledge base, a startup program module, startup registration and verification, an ecosystem marketplace, a DCoE assistant, and integrated services.
The MOSTIsaid these features can widen access to information, programs, strategic partners, and market opportunities, and to help startups explore cross-border growth.
Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said the summit is a platform for strengthening the national startup ecosystem through collaboration and access to investment. He said the efforts empower founders, strengthen regional networks, and open business opportunities across ASEAN.
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, group CEO of Cradle, said the summit focuses around two priorities “The Springboard to ASEAN” and “The BIG Innovation Impact.” He said the aim is to help Malaysian startups enter regional markets and to bridge the gap between startups and corporations, so that innovation leads to business opportunities and economic impact.
The Startup ASEAN platform has attracted more than 52,000 active users and 10,400 startups from over 150 countries. It has supported more than 50 regional programs and events and has connected more than 250 founders with investors, corporations, and ecosystem partners through ASEAN CrossConnect sessions in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The summit also featured The BIG Program, known in Malaysia as Bengkel Inovasi GLC, which links startups with government-linked companies, public-listed companies and Ministry of Finance Incorporated entities to drive innovation and commercialization.
The MOSTI will keep strengthening the startup ecosystem to build companies capable of expanding into ASEAN and global markets.