- Malaysia is poised to become a tech powerhouse.
- Big tech is investing billions in AI infrastructure.
- Khailee Ng encourages founders to seize opportunities in software, digital services, consumer services, and F&B.
A middle ground no more!
Malaysia has long been the middle child of Southeast Asia’s tech scene – too small for massive investments like Indonesia, yet lacking the global reach of Singapore.
However, Khailee Ng, managing partner at 500 Global, believes Malaysia is on the cusp of an “inflection point.” Tech giants Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, Infineon, and Intel have committed billions to build AI infrastructure in the country.
Ng emphasized the importance of Malaysian workers gaining skills in packaging, assembling, and testing semiconductors.
He stressed that the US, South Korea, and China began by imitating more advanced nations before becoming innovation powerhouses themselves.
Malaysia has set up a chip design hub in Selangor to improve its design capabilities and move beyond testing and packing.
Opportunities abound
Ng’s team identified four sectors in Malaysia brimming with opportunities for investors and founders: software, digital services, consumer services, and food and beverages.
They represent a potential investment of 1.2 billion ringgit (US$269 million). Despite the tech winter, Ng encourages founders to go against the tide and make bold plans that “shape and shake the market.”
To read the original article: https://www.techinasia.com/malaysia-next-big-thing-in-tech-khailee-ng-explains
