Last year, Hong Leong Bank Berhad launched its inaugural HLB LaunchPad with a vision of helping Malaysian fintech startups rethink the whole industry—similar to how ride-hailing reimagined the public transportation industry.
To that end, Hong Leong is now opening up registrations for this year’s HLB LaunchPad 2018: ACTIVATE, and they’re looking for startups aspiring to make a break in the financial services industry.
While fintech companies will remain a bedrock of the bank’s vision for their programme, the launchpad is also opening its doors for youth-based companies, Series A Companies, as well as those working on CSR outreach later in the year.
The aim is to work with startups who are able to solve banking challenges, or are able to provide out-of-the-box solutions that can change the whole game.
Selected startups stand a chance of winning cash prizes up to RM100,000, and access to insights and mentorship from Hong Leong’s senior leadership teams. They could also gain access to the wider Hong Leong Group in Malaysia as well as the region.
The Types of Startups That Qualify
Applications can be sent in up until August 17th, 2018, and open for startups within the ASEAN region.
Seeking Innovations
HLB LaunchPad is a mentorship programme that aims to cultivate more tech-savvy startups that will rethink financial services. Sharing in Hong Leong’s vision and efforts are Cradle Fund, Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN), and the ASEAN Angels Alliance.
“As the rapidly evolving digital and technology innovation changes the service and financial landscape, the banking and financial industry not only needs to be agile and adaptive to serve the customers’ growing digital needs, but we also need to be future-ready and be innovative in thinking ahead of the curve.”
“HLB believes that through cultivating the best minds and collaborating with like-minded partners, we are able to transform our organisation faster – from the way work, the way we empower our communities and business partners and most importantly, the way we serve and engage with our customers.”
Some alumni from last year include SalesCandy, Kakitangan.com, PropSocial, CapitalBay and Blinkware Technology. SalesCandy emerged as the winner for 2017’s demo day.
Just last month, Hong Leong bundled offerings from Kakitangan and Biztory, another HLB LaunchPad participant, to launch the Digital Business Solution Suites for SMEs.
You can find out more about the HLB LaunchPad 2018: ACTIVATE and the application process here.
Featured Image Credit: HLB LaunchPad’s 2017 demo day by Hong Leong Bank
