KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 – PETRONAS has unveiled the 20 startups selected to participate in the third edition of PETRONAS FutureTech, a highly anticipated technology accelerator programme. Co-organized with StartupX Pte. Ltd., the Singapore-based innovation and startup enabler, FutureTech 3.0 marks a significant milestone as it opens its doors to startups and partners from across the Asia Pacific region. The selected startups were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants representing Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, and Australia.
The 20 chosen startups offer a diverse range of innovative solutions, including a no-code robotics programming platform, advancements in green chemistry, EV battery swapping technology, hydrogen storage equipment, supercharging electrolysers, an AI-enabled platform for carbon emission monitoring, waste-to-renewable energy technology, and sustainable products derived from mushrooms. Arni Laily Anwarrudin, Head of PETRONAS Ventures, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting startup founders’ growth and fostering collaboration and innovation between multi-industry corporations and startup technology companies.
The FutureTech 3.0 cohort represents an exciting array of technologies that corporations actively seek. Through the programme, PETRONAS aims to impart industry best practices while providing startups with greater market access for regional growth and scalability. PETRONAS is dedicated to embracing forward-thinking approaches driven by technology to develop sustainable solutions that drive positive change and contribute to a greener and more resilient future. In addition to the 20 external startups, five startups from PETRONAS’ internal innovation programmes, PETRONAS Innovation Garage and SEEd.Lab, will also join the FutureTech 3.0 cohort.
This collaboration is expected to create a unique blend of technology and social development solutions. The 16-week hybrid programme of FutureTech 3.0 will kick off with an industry immersion week in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, offering experiential learning opportunities and physical site visits. The startups will also have the chance to showcase their solutions and offerings to an international audience at Energy Asia 2023, taking place from 26 to 28 June in Kuala Lumpur.
Since its launch for entries in February 2023, FutureTech 3.0 has attracted seven new corporate partners, including Gentari Sdn Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, DRB-HICOM Berhad, Sembcorp Industries Ltd, Hyundai Motor Company, Vitol, and Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
The programme receives support from ecosystem partners, including Cradle, Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), SGInnovate, Leave a Nest Group, National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), MyStartup, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
FutureTech has already showcased its potential, with three ventures from the previous cohorts receiving investments from PETRONAS Ventures and over 20 companies engaging in collaborations with PETRONAS on various business fronts. The programme continues to foster innovation and drive the growth of the startup ecosystem in the region.
