Three Malaysian Startups Eye South Korean Market, Seek Business Partners

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) – Seeking to tap into the South Korean market and forge partnerships with local investors and industry players, three Malaysian startups showcased their innovative technologies and business solutions at the recent 2026 ASEAN-Korea Startup Week.

The startups – Enygma Technologies Sdn Bhd (Enygma AI), Vendfun Sdn Bhd (Vendfun), and Zircochem Resources – were among 28 from 10 ASEAN member states participating in the four-day programme held from Oct 20 to 23 in Seoul and Daegu.

Organiser ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) said the three Malaysian outfits are from the hospitality technology, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and green technology sectors.

"The ASEAN-Korea Startup Week serves as a valuable platform for promising ASEAN startups, including those from Malaysia, to explore new business opportunities, connect with potential investors and industry partners, and gain greater exposure to the Korean market," AKC said in a statement to Bernama.

Enygma AI uses artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technology to detect defects and safety risks through drone, 360-degree camera, and CCTV footage to help asset owners improve operational safety and reliability.

Vendfun provides self-service hotel kiosks for check-in, check-out and room key management, with more than 180 kiosks deployed across several countries.

Zircochem Resources has developed BIOMÉ, a water-soluble stick product for household and personal care applications that uses powder-to-gel technology. It allows the user to prepare the product themselves by adding water.

Enygma AI was selected for a FIX Media Award in recognition of its innovative solutions.

The 2026 ASEAN-Korea Startup Week brought together technology-driven startups from across ASEAN specialising in fields such as AI, information and communications technology (ICT), mobility, and robotics to explore business and investment opportunities with South Korean companies.

Participating startups showcased their products and technological solutions at the ICT Convergence Expo (ICTE) held alongside the Future Innovation tech eXpo (FIX) 2026 in Daegu on Oct 21 and 22.

The startups also pitched their business models to South Korean investors and industry experts at the ASEAN-Korea Startup Demo Day, the statement read.

On top of that, AKC matched the startups with South Korean investors, accelerators, and companies according to sector and partnership needs, and arranged one-on-one meetings.

AKC Secretary General Kim Jae-shin said ASEAN startups play a key role in driving digital transformation and sustainable growth.

“We will continue to expand opportunities for cooperation so that innovative companies from both regions can grow beyond borders,” he said, adding that AKC would provide follow-up support beyond the programme.

-- BERNAMA