Malaysia has launched the Startup ASEAN platform, a regional digital hub aimed at supporting startups across Southeast Asia.
Led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and implemented by Cradle Fund, the initiative is part of Malaysia’s commitments under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.
The platform is designed to provide startups with access to regional markets, funding opportunities, talent, and ecosystem insights.
It follows an earlier pre-launch phase in 2024 and is now fully operational.
The ASEAN Startup Initiative, endorsed in 2023, appointed Cradle under MOSTI’s mandate to lead its implementation.
The broader effort aims to improve policy support, ecosystem readiness, and cross-border programmes and partnerships for early-stage startups.
Malaysia’s chairmanship includes several phases under the ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite programme. The first phase in 2024 focused on development and pre-launch.
The current phase in 2025 covers the platform launch, startup capacity-building efforts, and the Startup ASEAN Summit.
From 2026 onwards, the plan includes establishing an ASEAN Centre of Excellence for early-stage startups.
Cradle also hosted a regional networking session, ASEAN CrossConnect, which connected startups with ten global mentors from the region during the launch event.
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle, said,
“Cradle is proud to lead this effort and contribute to ASEAN’s growth through innovation. The platform is beyond technology itself. It is about creating opportunities within the startup ecosystem, strengthening partnerships and unlocking the potential of our ASEAN startups.
In addition to the regional database, the platform will host regional programmes aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration among all ASEAN Member States and dialogue partners such as South Korea and China.”
Cradle will continue working closely with ASEAN countries to build on the platform and support knowledge exchange, investment access and regional growth.
Featured image: (From left) Dr. Zurina Moktar, Head of Science, Technology Division, ASEAN Secretariat, Datuk Ts. Dr. Mohd Nor Azman Bin Hassan Deputy Secretary General (Technology Development), MOSTI, YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Tuan Fabian Bigar, Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital, and Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle.
