BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Enterprise Explores  >  Budget 2026: Expectations and Wishlist From the Tech Startup Ecosystem

Budget 2026: Expectations and Wishlist From the Tech Startup Ecosystem

Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Founder & Senior Partner, ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator | Ng Sai Kit, Chairman, Malaysian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (MVCA)

09-Oct-25 12:00

Budget 2026: Expectations and Wishlist From the Tech Startup Ecosystem

We sit down with Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Founder & Senior Partner at ScaleUp Malaysia Accelerator, and Ng Sai Kit, Chairman of the Malaysian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (MVCA), to look ahead to Budget 2026 through the lens of Malaysia’s tech startup ecosystem.

In a landscape where funding pipelines have tightened, valuations are being recalibrated, and global competition for talent intensifies, many founders are trying to sustain innovation while navigating an uncertain investment climate. Yet amid these pressures lies opportunity — from stronger public–private partnerships to smarter use of government procurement and policy tools that could reignite growth and confidence.

Dr Siva and Sai Kit share what meaningful support for startups and investors should look like, from improving access to capital and export readiness, to designing policies that attract quality investments and reward long-term innovation.

From funding gaps to procurement reforms, it’s a candid look at how Malaysia’s tech ecosystem can move from resilience to renewal as Budget 2026 approaches.

Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.

Produced by: Kishan Sivaswamy

Presented by: Richard Bradbury


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  economytechnologySMEentrepreneurssponsored content

Tags:  Malaysia Budget 2026funding strategiestech startupspolicy reformssemiconductor industryBudget2026





Play / Pause

Listen now : Morning Brief: Danial Abdul Rahman, CEO of the Asian Strategy & Leadership...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

David Chow, Director of Investment, Azure Capital tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Catherine Lim, Senior Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence discusses China's consumer sector.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Danial Abdul Rahman, CEO of the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (or ASLI)., discusses the new National Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research at Maybank Investment Banking Group, and Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer for Affluent Product & Proposition at CIMB Bank Berhad, discusses market strategies for 2026.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, MP for Setiawangsa discusses the new MPs’ committees and whether they can effectively improve transparency and accountability in KL’s governance.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Nguyen Khac Giang, Visiting Fellow, Vietnam Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, discusses the ongoing Vietnam Communist Party Congress.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) David Chow, Director of Investment, Azure Capital tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Catherine Lim, Senior Industry Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence discusses China's consumer sector.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Dato’ Ganesh Chinnappan, Managing Director of Raine & Horne International Zaki + Partners Sdn. Bhd., discusses the concept and reality of Build-to-Sell houses.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Shareen Ramli on building Siti Li Dining & Foodhall, food as culture, and the realities of growing a sustainable F&B business.

11:00 AM

The Workplace

Hybrid work, leadership fatigue, and rising expectations around trust and wellbeing have changed what it means to lead and belong at work. In 2026, building a strong team is no longer about individual performance alone and rather, it’s about connection, safety, and collective clarity. We speak with Dr. Jamie Shapiro, Founder and CEO of Connected EC, organisational psychologist, CEO coach, and author of Connected Culture, about what it really takes to build thriving teams in today’s workplace.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research at Maybank Investment Banking Group, and Patrick Chang, Chief Investment Officer for Affluent Product & Proposition at CIMB Bank Berhad, discusses market strategies for 2026.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Obesity is not just about making bad choices. We speak to an expert about how your hormones and genes can drive obesity, and what you can do about it.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Big Issue

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

The Making of an Independent Bookstore

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my