From 7 to 9 October, Mikali had the opportunity to showcase at the Entrepreneur Marketplace during the 7th MyStartr Investor Summit (投吧合伙人) at Menara Affin, Kuala Lumpur.
A big thank you to MyStartr for organize the event and make us to be part of this event, and to Affin Bank for hosting it and supporting local entrepreneurs. It was a privilege to share our circular-economy model with investors, founders, and the wider community.
This year's theme was "Next Stop: IPO." Here are our key takeaways:
1. LEAP Market is opening up. The Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia have proposed opening the LEAP Market to retail investors. They have also proposed a simpler, lower-cost "green pathway" to listing for companies that have raised funds through equity crowdfunding (ECF). These changes are not final yet, but regulators are moving fast.
2. ECF is becoming a real route to exit. LEAP is being positioned as a stepping stone toward ACE Market, which would give crowdfunding investors a clearer way to cash out.
3. Four questions every founder should ask. An economist from UTAR shared a simple checklist:
- Liquidity: Money is no longer cheap, so what real return can you offer investors?
- Valuation: Can your story hold up once proper disclosure begins?
- Business value: Is your business built to last, or just chasing trends?
- Accountability: Treat governance as an investment, not a cost.
4. Use the "golden 36 months" to prepare, not rush. The advice was to get your company IPO-ready even if you never list. Good governance and regular updates to shareholders make any business stronger.
5. Government support is growing. Co-investment funds are matching crowdfunding money, with strong backing for manufacturing and semiconductors.
What it means for Mikali
Our circular-economy model was never about chasing trends. It's about building something lasting for Malaysian families. The summit reminded us that trust, transparency, and good governance matter just as much as growth.
Thank you again to MyStartr and Affin Bank for this opportunity. We look forward to the next one!
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