By expanding access to financing, Funding Societies supports MSMEs to pursue new opportunities and strengthen their role in Malaysia’s economy.

The financing gap for Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is estimated at RM268 billion, with underserved segments including women entrepreneurs, Bumiputera MSMEs, and rural businesses often facing greater barriers to formal financing. Funding Societies bridges this gap through a digital financing platform that delivers fast, accessible, and tailored financing solutions.

Through 42 Malaysia, Khazanah and Sunway Education Group are widening access to digital education, strengthening Malaysia’s digital talent pipeline and helping more Malaysians build pathways into high-value technology sectors.

The rapid evolution of frontier technologies including artificial intelligence (“AI”), cloud computing and cybersecurity, is reshaping industries and changing the skills needed for the future of work. Yet for many Malaysians, pathways into high-value technology careers remain limited by traditional qualifications and formal education routes.

Antler supports the creation of new Malaysian ventures by widening access to early-stage capital, founder networks and company-building support for high-potential entrepreneurs.

Malaysia’s next phase of economic growth requires a stronger pipeline of founder-led startups that can build new products, solve industry problems and compete regionally. For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the barrier is not ambition, but access. Limited early-stage capital, difficulty finding the right technical co-founders and lack of professional networks prevent experienced operators and domain experts from turning ideas into viable ventures. This is where venture capital partners such as Antler play a catalytic role: not only by providing capital after companies are formed, but by strengthening the founder pipeline from which new Malaysian ventures can emerge.

Gobi supports Malaysian startups operating in strategic sectors and translates local innovation into scalable, market-ready solutions.

Critical sectors such as deep technologies, sustainability, food, the care and circular economy are increasingly important to Malaysia’s long-term development. By channelling capital into these high-impact areas, Khazanah through Gobi Partners (Gobi), supports emerging Malaysian companies as they transform into platforms for inclusive innovation and growth.

Granite Asia’s private credit strategy, through the Libra Hybrid Capital Fund, is designed to bridge the funding gap for mid-market companies scaling within and across Asia Pacific. The fund provides non-dilutive, bespoke debt financing to established businesses, including technology-driven growth companies and traditional enterprises undergoing digitalisation and technology transformation.

Granite Asia’s private credit strategy, through the Libra Hybrid Capital Fund, is designed to bridge the funding gap for mid-market companies scaling within and across Asia Pacific. The fund provides non-dilutive, bespoke debt financing to established businesses, including technology-driven growth companies and traditional enterprises undergoing digitalisation and technology transformation.

Navis Asia Credit supports the development of private credit as a flexible financing pathway for Malaysian mid-tier companies.

Fast-growing mid-tier companies (MTCs) in Malaysia and Southeast Asia often need capital that moves at the pace of opportunities at hand, especially in emerging sectors such as digital infrastructure where companies need to scale quickly to meet customer demand, fulfil large contracts or invest ahead of revenue.

Creador is a private equity firm that partners with Malaysian mid-tier companies (MTCs) to unlock their potential through targeted value-creation initiatives. Its approach supports portfolio companies in scaling and strengthening their competitive positions in their respective markets. Beyond providing growth capital, Creador works closely with management teams to enhance operational excellence, institutionalise governance, build stronger management teams and deepen organisational capabilities. Together, these initiatives build stronger businesses and drive long term growth prospects.

Khazanah’s 2025 commitment to Creador’s fund seeks to broaden access to growth capital for high-potential Malaysian MTCs. Khazanah’s investments alongside Creador in Asia Pacific University (APU) illustrates how private equity can generate impact alongside financial returns whilst aligning industry-relevant outcomes with the evolving needs of Malaysia’s workforce.

Advantage Partners (AP) is an Asian alternative investment manager with a core focus in the industrials, advanced manufacturing and B2B sectors. AP’s key differentiator is its hands-on management approach, complemented by a Japan-linked value creation playbook that draws on its deep networks with Japanese conglomerates and strategic partners to strengthen local operations and expand regional market access.

Khazanah’s 2025 commitment to Advantage Partners Asia Fund II seeks to bring AP’s sector expertise, operational capabilities and Japan-linked networks to support the growth of Malaysian mid-tier companies. Through the partnership, Malaysian businesses can gain access to strategic relationships, operational know-how and regional market opportunities that support growth, capability development and stronger institutional foundations.

By bringing advanced manufacturing, engineering and AI research together in Penang, Syntiant is supporting Malaysia deepen its semiconductor capabilities and strengthen its role in the global electronics ecosystem.

Malaysia has built a strong foundation in electrical and electronics manufacturing. The next phase is about moving deeper into higher-value capabilities — from advanced automation and AI-enabled manufacturing, to R&D and specialised engineering. This requires more than production capacity alone. It requires global technology, skilled talent, local supplier readiness and the ability to anchor complex operations in Malaysia. Syntiant’s expansion in Penang supports this next phase of Malaysia’s semiconductor journey.

Chengwei Capital manages the CW Crescent Tech Fund, which has a dedicated mandate to deepen and strengthen Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem. The fund seeks to move Malaysia into higher-value segments of the semiconductor value chain by localising proven technologies, transferring technical and operational capabilities, and developing skilled local talent. Following Khazanah’s anchor commitment and the fund’s establishment in March 2025, Chengwei has built an on-the-ground presence through its Malaysian management entity, Chengwei Maytech Sdn Bhd. The team is actively developing a pipeline of investments that can bring established regional semiconductor companies, technologies and capabilities into Malaysia, strengthening local semiconductor capabilities and anchoring more high-value activities in the country.

NRL Capital (NRL) manages a Malaysia-dedicated fund focused on developing globally competitive companies across advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. Through its investment approach, NRL seeks to support companies that can scale commercially while anchoring meaningful operations, capabilities and value creation in Malaysia.

Khazanah’s commitment into NRL Capital Fund I (Malaysia) in 2025 reflects Dana Impak’s broader role in mobilising capital through specialist fund managers to strengthen strategic Malaysian ecosystems. Since then, NRL has been actively investing in Malaysia’s advanced manufacturing and technology landscape, with a focus on companies that can deepen local operational presence, build technical capabilities and contribute to the country’s industrial competitiveness.