Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is one of Southeast Asia's rising startup hubs, combining Malaysia's strategic location, multicultural business environment, and strong government support for innovation. The city's ecosystem benefits from its position as a gateway to ASEAN markets and its growing focus on digital transformation.
This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Kuala Lumpur's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the Malaysian market.
Top 20 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1. MaGIC (Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre)
Target Audience: Early- to growth-stage startups
Niche: Multi-sector (ASEAN focus)
Magic operates as Malaysia's premier government-backed innovation hub. It provides comprehensive support through its Global Accelerator Programme, connecting startups to regional and global markets. Magic also offers equity-free grants and strategic partnerships with global tech giants like Google for Startups. Magic also creates pathways for Malaysian startups to scale across ASEAN markets.
2. 1337 Ventures
Target Audience: Tech startups (pre-seed to seed stage)
Niche: Digital & SaaS
1337 Ventures provides funding ranging from RM50K to RM150K for early-stage technology ventures. It runs the renowned Alpha Startups bootcamp, focusing on idea validation and product-market fit. It also offers intensive mentorship and direct access to its investor network. 1337 Ventures also creates structured pathways for tech startups to achieve market validation.
3. WatchTower & Friends
Target Audience: Tech innovators
Niche: Web, IoT, GreenTech, Blockchain
WatchTower & Friends runs a four-month accelerator offering RM50K seed funding for 8% equity. It specializes in supporting innovative technology solutions across multiple sectors. Throughout the program, it provides comprehensive mentorship and prototyping support. It also creates opportunities for startups to pitch to investors through organized Demo Days.
4. Cradle Fund
Target Audience: Early-stage tech entrepreneurs
Niche: Deep tech & commercialization
Cradle Fund operates as a government agency under MOSTI, offering grants up to RM150K through CIP Spark. Cradle Fund focuses on supporting intellectual property development and market validation activities, provides comprehensive support for technology commercialization, and creates pathways for deep tech innovations to reach the market.
5. ScaleUp Malaysia
Target Audience: Growth-stage startups
Niche: Scaling & regional expansion
ScaleUp Malaysia specializes in helping established startups refine their business models for expansion. It has supported portfolio companies in raising over RM428M collectively. ScaleUp Malaysia also provides intensive mentorship focused on regional scaling strategies, creating opportunities for Malaysian startups to expand across Southeast Asia.
6. Nexea
Target Audience: Tech founders (ideation to exit)
Niche: Venture building
Nexea provides funding between RM50K and RM100K alongside comprehensive venture-building support. It offers unique co-founder matching services and maintains a startup idea repository. Nexea provides end-to-end support from ideation through exit, creating sustainable growth pathways for technology ventures.
7. Tune Labs
Target Audience: Early-stage ventures
Niche: General tech
Tune Labs delivers a 12-week incubation program backed by the Tune Group. It provides a dedicated workspace and access to extensive corporate networks. The program focuses on developing scalable business models and creating connections between startups and established corporations.
8. Cyberview Living Lab
Target Audience: Smart city innovators
Niche: FinTech, AI, IoT
Cyberview Living Lab operates a five-month program in Cyberjaya's smart city ecosystem. It provides access to prototyping labs and real-world testbed environments, facilitates corporate partnerships for technology validation, and creates opportunities for implementing smart city innovations.
9. The Hive Southeast Asia
Target Audience: Early-stage founders
Niche: Collaborative innovation
The Hive Southeast Asia provides comprehensive support through coworking spaces and mentorship programs. It focuses on developing strong foundational business strategies, facilitates access to regional investor networks, and creates collaborative environments for startup growth.
10. Vilor Angel Fund
Target Audience: Impact-driven startups
Niche: Social impact & tech
Vilor Angel Fund invests between RM100K and RM1M in ventures with significant social impact potential. It has backed successful companies like Foodpanda and Agoda. The fund prioritizes scalable solutions that create positive societal change and develop pathways for impact-driven startups to achieve scale.
11. CO3 Social Office
Target Audience: Social enterprises
Niche: Tech for good
CO3 Social Office provides free coworking space and mentorship for social enterprises. It has supported successful ventures like Coop-it in achieving recognition and funding. The office focuses on technology solutions with clear social benefits and creates a supportive environment for social innovation.
12. Kedios Group
Target Audience: Fintech & logistics startups
Niche: Supply chain & smart cities
Kedios Group provides early-stage investment and strategic support for technology ventures. It has invested in regional success stories like Grab and Carousell. The group offers comprehensive post-investment advisory services and creates value through strategic guidance and industry connections.
13. PitchIN
Target Audience: Investor-ready startups
Niche: Equity crowdfunding
PitchIN operates Malaysia's largest equity crowdfunding platform. It provides comprehensive pitch training and investor matchmaking services, prepares startups for successful fundraising campaigns, and creates accessible funding pathways for Malaysian startups.
14. Selangor Accelerator Programme (SAP)
Target Audience: Early-stage ventures
Niche: Sector-agnostic
Selangor Accelerator Programme offers RM50K grants without taking equity alongside four months of mentorship. It focuses on market validation and investor readiness preparation. It provides comprehensive support for early-stage business development and creates structured pathways for startup growth.
15. Sunway AI Lab Accelerator
Target Audience: AI-driven startups
Niche: EduTech, HealthTech, Agritech
Sunway AI Lab runs a four-month program specializing in artificial intelligence applications. The program provides access to Sunway's extensive testbed environment and corporate partnerships. It focuses on practical AI implementation in key sectors and creates opportunities for AI technology commercialization.
16. HLB Launchpad
Target Audience: Sustainability-focused startups
Niche: Green finance & ESG
HLB Launchpad operates a six-month program backed by Hong Leong Bank. It provides mentorship from C-suite executives and pilot project opportunities. The program focuses on sustainable finance and ESG innovations and creates pathways for green technology implementation.
17. GEG (Global Entrepreneur Group)
Target Audience: Startups eyeing global markets
Niche: Cross-border scaling
Global Entrepreneur Group specializes in international market entry support. It partners with ASEAN and EU networks for market access, provides guidance on international regulations and expansion strategies, and creates opportunities for global market penetration.
18. RAVe Accelerator
Target Audience: Lean startups
Niche: Product-market fit
RAVe Accelerator delivers a 12-week program focused on implementing lean methodology. It provides comprehensive investor pitch training and business model refinement. The program focuses on achieving rapid product-market fit and creates efficient pathways for startup validation.
19. MAD Business Incubation Program
Target Audience: Youth-led startups
Niche: E-commerce, HealthTech, Retail
MAD Business runs a 21-month comprehensive incubation program. It focuses on businesses targeting Southeast Asian markets, provides extensive business training and mentorship support, and creates opportunities for young entrepreneurs to succeed.
20. Super Charger
Target Audience: Fintech startups
Niche: Payment solutions & blockchain
Super Charger operates an equity-free accelerator with strong corporate partnerships. It supports successful fintech ventures like Curlec and Motions Cloud, provides comprehensive guidance on regulatory compliance, and creates pathways for fintech innovation and implementation.
AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur's startup ecosystem shows remarkable strength through its diverse range of accelerators and incubators. The ecosystem uniquely combines:
- Strong government support and funding initiatives
- Focus on regional ASEAN market expansion
- Emphasis on fintech and Islamic finance innovation
- Support for social impact and sustainability
- Commitment to youth entrepreneurship
The city's accelerators and incubators have been instrumental in establishing Kuala Lumpur as a key startup hub in Southeast Asia. This comprehensive support system has created a thriving ecosystem that attracts entrepreneurs across the region.