BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  Why MalaysiaKini’s Co-Founder is Now Betting on AI

Why MalaysiaKini’s Co-Founder is Now Betting on AI

Premesh Chandran, CEO & Co-Founder, Awatar Innovations | Eshwaren M, CTO & Co-Founder, Awatar Innovations | Razlan Rizal, COO & Co-Founder, Awatar Innovations

02-Oct-25 10:00

Why MalaysiaKini’s Co-Founder is Now Betting on AI

Backed by 500 Global, AI startup Awatar Innovations is on a mission to build the next generation of agentic chatbots. But what does it really take to build a deep tech company in Malaysia's burgeoning but challenging AI landscape?

The co-founding trio. Premesh Chandran, Eshwaren M, and Razlan Rizal, join us to share their story. They discuss their unique team dynamic, their strategy of using free consumer tools like Sakura AI as marketing for their deeper B2B enterprise solutions, and their plan to raise a $500k seed round to fuel their growth.

We discuss:

  • The vision to build agentic AI chatbots for businesses.

  • The unique challenges of building an AI startup in Malaysia (high costs, education gap).

  • Their product strategy: using free tools like Sakura AI to drive B2B leads.

  • Their business model, from free entry-level bots to full enterprise solutions.

  • Their plan to raise a $500k seed round for team and market expansion.

For aspiring AI founders and investors, this is an inside look at the journey and strategy of an early-stage Malaysian tech venture.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


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

Categories:  technologySMEentrepreneurs

Tags:  AI startupagentic aichatbotsventure capitalmalaysia tech





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) We speak with Nick Ng, Founder and CEO of Hock Kee Kopitiam, about building a modern kopitiam brand rooted in heritage, community, and made-to-order tradition.

12:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

(REPEAT) We review Train Dreams and The Voice of Hind Rajab.

1:00 PM

Cruise Control

(REPEAT) The VW Golf GTI Mk8.5 might sound like an incremental upgrade, but it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the brand. Tune in to hear why.

2:00 PM

Matt-Splained

(REPEAT) In the first part of a series on technologies in ‘26, Rich and Matt take a look at consumer tech, imagine what IRL AI looks like, and advances in energy production.

3:00 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) We find out about a Semai fruit season homestay finally opening to the public, supported by Gerimis Art, sharing forest life, culture, and community-led ecotourism.

4:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) We review the recent Malaysia Open 2026 and look back at our shuttlers' performances throughout 2025.

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

Two women with art galleries in Switzerland, London, Nigeria and the US talk about discovering and promoting new artists, building relationships with art collectors and the importance of supporting women in the art world.