What if the next breakthrough Malaysian startup isn’t born in Kuala Lumpur, but in Kelantan, Johor, or Negeri Sembilan? In 2025, Artem PACE set out to challenge the geography of opportunity. This takes its founder-first bootcamp on the road and proving that entrepreneurial ambition thrives far beyond the Klang Valley. The result: a nationwide pipeline of bold ideas, diverse founders, and startups ready to scale.
Taking Startup Support Beyond The Klang Valley
Artem Ventures, through its subsidiary Artem PACE, wrapped up PACE Bootcamp 2025 with a clear message. That is, innovation should not be limited by postcode. The three-day intensive bootcamp travelled across six states, Johor, Penang, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor, marking a significant expansion from last year’s Klang Valley, centred programme.
Designed to support founders at the idea stage, the bootcamp tackled real startup pain points. Open to aspiring entrepreneurs, the programme created a practical, low-barrier entry point into Malaysia’s startup ecosystem.
This year’s response underscored the demand. More than 400 applications poured in from sectors including biotech, agritech, sustainability, edtech, and medtech, reflecting a growing appetite for entrepreneurship across the country.
A High-Intensity Bootcamp With Real Outcomes
PACE Bootcamp 2025 unfolded through five bootcamps across six states, engaging 106 companies and over 170 participants. Over the course of 80 hours of workshops and 20 hours of pitching sessions, founders were guided by 11 experienced trainers and speakers.
The journey culminated in a Grand Finale in Kuala Lumpur, where top teams from each state pitched before investors and ecosystem leaders. Feedback from participants consistently highlighted gains in business model development, financial planning, and pitching confidence. Skills often cited as gaps among first-time founders.
According to Artem PACE leadership, the programme’s purpose was never just training, but access. By decentralising opportunity, the bootcamp aimed to level the playing field for founders historically underserved by Malaysia’s startup infrastructure.
Crowns, Capital Pathways, And A Spotlight On Women Founders
At the Grand Finale, four standout startups emerged as national winners:
- Ablesen (Selangor): A patented technology enabling faster, more accessible early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer, with the potential to reshape early cancer detection.
- Putra Agrotech Sdn Bhd (Selangor): A biotech-agritech venture focused on paddy seed innovation to improve rice yields and strengthen Malaysia’s food security.
- Medisuri (Kuala Lumpur): A medical travel platform positioning Malaysia as a Halal Smart Surgery Gateway, connecting global patients with trusted healthcare providers.
- Million Virtue Partners Sdn Bhd (Kuala Lumpur): Winner of Best Women-Led Startup, offering an integrated CSR, zakat, and grant fund management platform aimed at restoring trust and efficiency in fund governance.
The top three startups will now join Artem Ventures’ shadow portfolio, gaining continued mentorship and partner access.
Redefining Inclusivity In Malaysia’s Startup Ecosystem
One of the most compelling outcomes of PACE Bootcamp 2025 was the strong representation of women founders. Several states recorded over 50% participation by women, with Kelantan reaching 62% and Negeri Sembilan 50%. Johor and Penang also saw women-led teams dominate their top rankings.
This focus on inclusivity was reinforced by the programme’s partners. It includes Cradle (Grand Finale Title Partner), PayNet, Grab Malaysia, GXBank, Google, MDEC, IIB, and others, all aligned in their commitment to broadening Malaysia’s innovation pipeline.
By taking entrepreneurship support directly to regional founders, Artem PACE Bootcamp 2025 demonstrated that innovation in Malaysia is just distributed.
As the programme closes another chapter, one thing is clear. The next wave of Malaysian startup success stories may come from anywhere. And Artem PACE intends to be there when they begin.
