- The initiative aims to spark breakthrough solutions to key regional challenges
- Backed by top partners, the programme offers expert support & global exposure
In a leap to supercharge innovation across Southeast Asia, Sunway iLabs, the innovation arm of Sunway Group, is partnering with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd to launch the startup deep tech ventures lab (DTVL), a six-month co-creation programme dedicated to building and scaling high-impact artificial intelligence and deep tech startups.
In a statement, Sunway iLabs stated that this initiative aims to catalyse breakthrough solutions to some of the region’s most critical challenges, setting the stage for a new era of technological advancement and entrepreneurial excellence.
Running from July to December 2025, DTVL is tailored for early-stage startups operating at the intersection of science, engineering and impact. Participants will undergo a rigorous and structured journey, including expert-led workshops, personalised mentorship through monthly office hours, investor-readiness sessions, and access to global capital networks — all geared towards turning ambitious ideas into market-ready solutions.
The programme is backed by a coalition of global and local innovation leaders. Core partners include Cradle, Malaysia’s focal point agency for early-stage startups under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Deep Tech Labs, a UK-based accelerator and venture capital fund backed by the University of Cambridge, ARM, and Cambridge Innovation Capital; Investible, a venture capital firm based in Australia and Singapore focused on climate-tech early-stage investment; and CloudMile, an AI and cloud technology company with a strong presence in Malaysia, enabling digital transformation across industries.
These partnerships ensure startups benefit from world-class technical expertise, commercial guidance and international exposure.
Further strengthening the programme is a robust ecosystem network of collaborators and enablers. These include prominent venture firms such as Gobi Partners and The Hive Southeast Asia, alongside a consortium of Malaysia’s leading academic institutions: Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Sunway University.
Additional support comes from national innovation and commercialisation agencies such as the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation, and a diverse bench of industry mentors from Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Together, this multidisciplinary coalition is building a launchpad for the region’s next generation of transformative deep tech ventures.
Following a competitive selection process, 20 startups were chosen from a pool of 69 applicants, resulting in a 29% acceptance rate. These startups are tackling urgent global and regional challenges across seven key verticals: artificial intelligence and deep tech, food and water security, health and wellness, intelligent autonomy, semiconductor applications, energy transition, and decarbonisation through carbon capture, innovation and storage.
The programme will culminate in a pre-demo day this September, where all participating startups will present their progress to a curated audience of regional venture capitalists, corporate partners, and policymakers. A shortlist of five to ten ventures will be invited to the final demo day showcase in October or early November, providing a public platform to spotlight breakthrough technologies and Malaysia’s deep tech leadership globally.
“DTVL embodies our vision to drive deep tech innovation that delivers both commercial success and meaningful societal impact. By empowering science- and engineering-led startups, we’re not just investing in technology — we’re investing in solutions that can shape a better future for Malaysia and the region,” said Matt van Leeuwen, chief innovation officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs.
Meanwhile, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, group CEO of Cradle, said, “This is exactly the kind of bold, future-forward initiative our ecosystem needs. Deep tech is about solving real, complex challenges at scale.”
He added, “DTVL reflects the spirit of collaboration we need between government, academia and industry to push Malaysia’s innovation frontier. Cradle is proud to be part of this momentum, and we’re excited to back founders who are ready to turn breakthrough ideas into global impact.”
Representatives from five key stakeholder groups — startups, universities, corporates, government, and venture capital were invited on stage for a symbolic plant-watering ceremony, with each plant representing their unique role in nurturing Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem: the snake plant for startups, symbolising resilience; the calla lily for universities, signifying knowledge; the ZZ plant for corporates, reflecting long-term strategy and stability; the ficus ginseng for the government, symbolising its role as the rooted backbone of society; and the orchid for venture capital, symbolising high rewards when nurtured with care.
Having celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, Sunway is now embarking on its vision for the next 50 years, with Sunway iLabs doubling down on its role as a catalyst for future-facing innovation. Sunway iLabs is unlocking the full potential of science- and engineering-based entrepreneurship by bridging academia, industry, government, and startups.
According to Sunway, deep tech is more than just a technology vertical. it is a national imperative and strategic pillar for economic resilience, global competitiveness, and sustainable progress. Through DTVL, the company is building an ecosystem where breakthrough ideas can thrive, scale, and solve real-world problems at a global level.
Click here to learn more about the Deep Tech Ventures Lab or explore how to engage with the programme and its startups.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
