Optimatic in strategic partnership with Malaysia’s iCube Innovation, Taiwan’s AsiaIOA

• To co-develop webinars, workshops in Sarawak aimed at early-stage startus
• Hopes to position Taiwan as East Asia’s Startup Ecosystem Hub

OPTIMATIC, an Asia Pacific technology news platform, announced they signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) recently.

The first MOU was signed with AsiaIOA, a Taiwan-based service provider focused on connecting startup ecosystems between East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The second MOU is with iCube Innovation, East Malaysia’s largest incubator innovation centre.

Both MOUs will work towards fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship around the region through these partnerships.

Optimatic co-founder and chief executive officer Mohan Belani, said “Asia is truly a microcosm of diverse cultures, behaviours, and dynamic consumer preferences and business demands. The startup ecosystem and tech entrepreneurship in the region have grown substantially over the past few years.

“The sector now needs to acquire a more nuanced understanding of their market potential to sustain growth prospects and to deepen collaboration to navigate the business and regulatory environment to evolve rapidly at the speed of demand. We are excited about working with both iCube Innovation and AsiaIOA, as they work towards adding greater value to the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

iCube Innovation, East Malaysia’s largest incubator innovation centre catered to Sarawak’s young entrepreneurs, is designed to facilitate the creation and growth of entrepreneurs through collaboration and co-incubation.

Due to the state government’s efforts in building the startup ecosystem, East Malaysia is set to see a boom in the startup scene. Places such as Sarawak are fast becoming an ideal location for entrepreneurs and startups alike.

iCube Innovation founder and chairman Patrick C J Liew, said, “Through this collaboration, we hope to drive more awareness of East Malaysia as a startup hub within the Southeast Asian region.

“The partnership will, among others, help us drive a series of online knowledge-based workshops and webinars aimed at early stage startups, co-developed by both Optimatic and iCube Innovation,” Liew added 

AsiaIOA is a Taiwan-based service provider for institutions of higher learning, corporate accelerators, and government innovation agencies focused on connecting startup ecosystems between East Asia and Southeast Asia.

As Taiwan startups look to expanding outside of their home base, many are beginning to lean towards the Southeast Asia region as their next market.

AsiaIOA  co-founder  and chief executive officer Kevin Ho, said, “Taiwan has a legacy in the hardware industry but we also have a vibrant startup ecosystem that is working on some really promising ideas.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to expand into the local Southeast Asia startup ecosystem, to explore collaborations and exchange knowledge between East Asia and Southeast Asia startups and investors. Through this partnership, we hope to position Taiwan as East Asia’s Startup Ecosystem Hub.”

These partnerships will, in turn, help Optimatic to increase their presence in the region. Both MOUs were signed at the recent Echelon Asia Summit 2019 in Singapore through DottedSign, a pioneer in e-signing on mobile devices, provided by Kdan Mobile from Taiwan.