Sunway iLabs, Jetro prepare four AI and deeptech Japanese startups for entry into Malaysia and Asean markets

• Accelerator fast-tracked market entry & PoC development with Sunway’s lab & Jetro’s support
• This year’s programme focused on AI & deep tech, establishing M’sia as a launchpad for Japanese innovators

Sunway Innovation Labs (Sunway iLabs), the innovation lab and corporate venture capital arm of Sunway Group, and the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) Kuala Lumpur have concluded the J-StarX Malaysia Deep Tech Programme (MYTech) 2025, accelerating four Japanese startups’ expansion into Malaysia and the Asean region.

Marking its seventh year of collaboration, this year’s programme focused on AI and deep tech innovation, reinforcing Malaysia as a launchpad for Japanese innovators seeking regional growth opportunities. Running from August to October 2025, the accelerator served as a fast-track platform for market entry and potential Proof of Concept development, leveraging Sunway’s living laboratory for market access and Jetro’s extensive support network.

Over three months, the startups participated in immersion visits to key ecosystem partners such as Mranti and InvestKL, alongside mentorship sessions, business introductions, and networking opportunities with investors and collaborators. Through the programme, they gained a deep understanding of Malaysia’s business and cultural landscape, from navigating regulatory frameworks to building corporate and government partnerships, refining products, adapting business models to regional needs, and strengthening cross-border strategies.

The 2025 cohort featured Buddy Cloud Inc., FiberCraze Co., Ltd., BioPhenolics Inc., and I.W.G Inc., showcasing diverse applications of AI and deep tech—from smart pet health diagnostics and sustainable nanofibre textiles to bio-based industrial compounds and interoperable healthcare data platforms. By the end of the programme, the startups were better equipped to translate their technologies into commercially viable solutions and pursue sustainable growth in Malaysia and across Asean.

Their solutions included Buddy Cloud’s mobile-enabled veterinary diagnostics, FiberCraze’s sustainable nanofibre textiles, BioPhenolics’ bio-based phenolic compounds, and I.W.G’s interoperable healthcare data platform, DoCloud—each reflecting how innovation can create meaningful, sustainable impact across industries.

The participating startups gained practical insight into Malaysia’s business and cultural landscape, learning how to adapt their solutions to local market strategies and build the relationships needed to explore partnerships and future operations in the region.

Throughout the programme, participants shared that hands-on engagement, mentorship, and exposure to Malaysia’s business ecosystem were instrumental in shaping their growth and helping them plan their operations in Malaysia.

“We are pleased that our seven-year cross-border partnership with Jetro has created a reliable pathway for Japanese startups to work with Malaysian partners and validate their solutions in real environments. It has also enabled meaningful collaborations with Sunway Group’s business units and R&D projects with Sunway University, demonstrating how deep tech innovation delivers real impact when ecosystems work together,” said Matt van Leeuwen, chief innovation officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs.

At Sunway iLabs’ flagship event, FutureX Connect 2025, the startups presented their innovations to Malaysian corporates, investors, and ecosystem partners, showcasing growing collaboration between Japan and Malaysia in AI and deep tech. Takashima Tomohiro, executive vice president of Jetro, noted, “Since 2019, we’ve accelerated 30 Japanese startups through programmes with Sunway iLabs, with nine successfully establishing operations in Malaysia.”

Alumni successes highlight the programme’s impact: AeroSense, a drone-technology spin-out from Sony–ZMP, now conducts environmental mapping projects with Sunway University and serves as a drone-technology partner to the Malaysian government. PT Bio is co-developing genomic solutions with Sunway Property and University to reduce carbon emissions, reflecting the growing role of deep tech and sustainability-driven research.

The J-StarX Malaysia Deep Tech Programme underscores the value of long-term collaboration in strengthening innovation linkages between Japan and Malaysia, advancing impactful innovation and sustainable growth across the region.