[This is a sponsored article with MRANTI.]
It’s been a pretty good year for the Malaysian innovation scene.
We’ve seen exciting ideas brought to life like BoomGrow’s 5G-connected vertical farm and Brikoole (“breathable bricks” to reduce air conditioning) that won the national James Dyson Award 2024.
Of course, achieving these feats comes with its own set of challenges, such as funding gaps and the resources for research and development (R&D). But Malaysian startups and entrepreneurs don’t have to face these challenges alone.
The government has various programmes available to help you grow and turn your bold ideas into innovative tech solutions, like the Supercharger Series.
What is the Supercharger Series?
It’s a free programme under the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) with the objective of fast-tracking the commercialisation of startup R&D projects.
In simpler terms, this programme helps turn your research and ideas into market-ready solutions, faster and more effectively.
This is done by connecting your startups with key industry professionals like innovators and researchers, and allowing you to explore more funding opportunities.
But what benefits do Malaysian startups gain from joining the Supercharger Series?
1. You’ll be able to future-proof your startup’s tech innovations
In today’s fast-paced tech world, staying ahead means more than just keeping up; you have to constantly be innovating.
By aligning with Malaysia’s strategic priorities (as outlined in the Malaysian Grand Challenge) startups will be at the forefront of industries set to define the next generation of innovation. This includes fields like agriculture, healthcare, food security, and smart technology.
The Supercharger Series focuses on these industries too, so startups will be more technologically adept at creating solutions for current and future problems.
For example, as part of the Supercharger Series’ efforts, MRANTI partners with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to provide startups with up-to-date knowledge and expertise on food security and drone technology. Such collaborations equip startups to develop cutting-edge solutions and position themselves as industry leaders.
2. You’ll gain access to MRANTI’s strong network of expertise and resources
The Supercharger Series acts as a bridge between academic research and the commercial world, connecting you with Malaysia’s top experts in R&D and innovation.
This support helps you fine-tune your strategies and fast-track your tech development.
Whether it’s improving a prototype, overcoming regulatory challenges, or planning your market launch, the program provides the guidance you need to move forward with confidence.
Mohd Izzat Muslim, founder of Fulkrum Interactive Media, shared, “The Supercharger Series stands out for being much more hands-on and practical.” Izzat used to struggle with market penetration and effectively utilising funds from grants until he learnt new strategies from the programme.
3. You’ll be on the fast track to commercialising your solutions and business ideas
Under the Supercharger Series, MRANTI offers a more in-depth bootcamp called the Supercharger R2C (Road-to-Commercialisation) Bootcamp.
Designed for startups in the pre-commercialisation stage, this bootcamp starts with a three-day workshop and continues with a three-month facilitation programme. This hands-on guidance will equip your startup with the know-how to bring your products and services to market.
Key commercialisation topics you’ll learn here include defining your value proposition, validating your target market, addressing intellectual property and regulatory considerations, and developing a launch strategy for your innovation.
Startups that have benefitted from this are bootcamp alumni like Qmed Asia (a healthcare tech startup), Agiliux (an insurance tech startup), and Life Origin (a foodtech startup).
To join, you can keep an eye out for announcements on the next Supercharger R2C Bootcamp here.
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At the moment, MRANTI’s Supercharger Series is held in key innovation hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak. But they’re committed to expanding the programme’s reach in more locations based on the needs of the startup community.
“Our goal is to create equal opportunities for startups across Malaysia, supporting local ecosystems and facilitating greater nationwide impact,” MRANTI’s team told us.
This year’s Supercharger Finale will be held at the I-Nation Global Summit 2024 on December 3, where participants will get a chance to learn commercialisation strategies from Dr. Hamed Motaghi from Quebec University, Canada.
The session is scheduled for 4PM to 5PM at Connexion Convention Centre, Bangsar. Admission is free, but you should secure your seats now before tickets run out.
- Learn more about the Supercharger Series here.
- Read other articles about MRANTI’s past efforts here.
Featured Image Credit: MRANTI