Malaysian tech companies took centre stage at Elevate & Engage 2026, where the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) recognised firms that reached major export and fundraising milestones. Held on 4 November at The Zenith Junior Ballroom, The Vertical, Bangsar South, the evening also carried a clear message for founders: reinvent with agentic AI, or risk being disrupted.
Involve Asia recorded more than RM100 million in export revenue in 2025, while Respond.io secured US$62.5 million in Series B funding. The gathering brought together technology founders, investors and industry partners to share the experience behind these achievements and explore how more companies can expand beyond Malaysia.
“We need more partnerships that turn promising Malaysian technology into companies with real customers, strong revenue and international staying power,” said MDEC Chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah.
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The Malaysian Tech Companies Recognised at Elevate & Engage 2026
Involve Asia was named Digital Exporter of the Year for recording more than RM100 million in export revenue under MDEC’s DEX Connex programme in 2025, the highest among participating companies. The programme connects Malaysian tech companies with international business partners to support their expansion into overseas markets.
Respond.io received Fundraising of the Year for its US$62.5 million Series B round, as well as the Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) Flagship Award. The company also recorded more than RM70 million in revenue in 2025, according to MDEC programme data.
GreatAsic Technology received the Breakout Fundraising Award for its US$6.9 million Pre-Series A round.
TNG Digital was recognised as the first unicorn under MDEC’s Founders Centre of Excellence (FOX).
The Immigration Department of Malaysia was also recognised for its partnership in MTEP, with Deputy Director General (Control) Dato’ Aminudin Yahaya representing the department.
What Investors Want to See Before Backing a Scaleup
Ganesh said founders seeking investment and international growth need to show they can win and retain customers, control the cost of serving them and deliver consistently across markets.
“Series B capital can accelerate a company. But capital alone does not create a scaleup. The business must already be developing the systems, people and commercial discipline to put that capital to work,” he said.
Putting Agentic AI to Work
Companies must reinvent or risk disruption. Ganesh urged founders to identify where AI agents could optimise processes, reduce software costs and take on routine tasks.
Human judgement, he noted, remains essential in setting objectives and handling exceptions, and people remain accountable for the results. With the right training, employees can take on work that adds greater value to the organisation.
He added that the value of time saved should show up in business results, such as faster service, lower operating costs or the capacity to serve more customers without compromising quality.
MDEC at 30: Helping Malaysian Tech Companies Go Global
MDEC recorded RM6.8 billion in digital exports from 2024 through the first half of 2025. In its 30th anniversary year, the agency continues to help Malaysian tech companies create, own and export technology. Through FOX and its Gateway, Amplify, Invest & Nurture (GAIN) programme, MDEC supports companies in building their capabilities, accessing growth capital and expanding into international markets.
The recognition builds on MDEC’s wider push to grow homegrown tech champions in Malaysia’s digital economy.
MDEC Acting CEO Azlan Sharom said that developing more globally competitive Malaysian technology businesses supports the ambitions of Malaysia Digital 2030 (MD2030), which targets a 30 per cent contribution to GDP by 2030.
“MDEC is also working on the National AI Compute Exchange (NACX), which is intended to broaden access to AI computing resources for Malaysian businesses and serve as a crucial catalyst in Malaysia’s journey towards becoming an AI Nation by 2030,” said Azlan.
For founders and Malaysian tech companies looking to scale beyond our borders, more information on MDEC’s programmes is available at www.mdec.my.
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