KUCHING: Optimatic, Asia Pacific’s leading technology news platform, has signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) towards fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship around the region.
The first MoU was signed with AsiaIOA, a Taiwan-based service provider focused on connecting startup ecosystems between East Asia and Southeast Asia.
The second was with iCube Innovation, East Malaysia’s largest incubator innovation centre.
Optimatic co-founder and CEO Mohan Belani said Asia is truly a microcosm of diverse cultures, behaviours and dynamic consumer preferences and business demands.
“The startup ecosystem and tech entrepreneurship in the region have grown substantially over the past few years.
“The sector now needs to acquire a more nuanced understanding of its market potential to sustain growth prospects and to deepen collaboration to navigate the business and regulatory environment to evolve rapidly at the speed of demand.
“We are excited about working with both iCube Innovation and AsiaIOA, as they work towards adding greater value to the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
iCube Innovation, East Malaysia’s largest incubator innovation centre for Sarawak’s young entrepreneurs, is designed to facilitate the creation and growth of entrepreneurs through collaboration and co-incubation.
Due to the state government’s efforts in building the startup ecosystem, East Malaysia is set to see a boom in the startup scene. Places such as Sarawak is fast becoming an ideal location for entrepreneurs and startups alike.
iCube Innovation founder and chairman Datuk Patrick C J Liew said, “Through this collaboration, we hope to drive more awareness of East Malaysia as a startup hub within the Southeast Asian region”.
“The partnership will, among others, help us drive a series of online knowledge-based workshops and webinars aimed at early stage startups, co-developed by both Optimatic and iCube Innovation,” Liew added.
AsiaIOA is a Taiwan-based service provider for institutions of higher learning, corporate accelerators, and government innovation agencies focused on connecting startup ecosystems between East Asia and Southeast Asia.
As Taiwan startups look to expanding outside of their home base, many are beginning to lean towards the Southeast Asia region as their next market.
AsiaIOA co-founder and CEO Kevin Ho said “Taiwan has a legacy in the hardware industry but we also have a vibrant startup ecosystem that is working on some really promising ideas.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to expand into the local Southeast Asia startup ecosystem, to explore collaborations and exchange knowledge between East Asia and Southeast Asia startups and investors. Through this partnership, we hope to position Taiwan as East Asia’s Startup Ecosystem Hub.”
These partnerships will, in turn, help Optimatic to increase its presence in the region. Both MOUs were signed at the recent Echelon Asia Summit 2019 in Singapore through DottedSign, a pioneer in e-signing on mobile devices, provided by Kdan Mobile from Taiwan.
