{"id":38917,"date":"2024-01-11T15:17:32","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T07:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/penangs-startup-ecosystem-receives-recognition-with-georgetown-as-8th-ranked-city-in-southeast-asia\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T11:37:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T03:37:06","slug":"penangs-startup-ecosystem-receives-recognition-with-georgetown-as-8th-ranked-city-in-southeast-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/penangs-startup-ecosystem-receives-recognition-with-georgetown-as-8th-ranked-city-in-southeast-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"Penang\u2019s Startup Ecosystem Receives Recognition with Georgetown as 8th Ranked City in Southeast Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221; el_class=&#8221;sec-inner-banner&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1703741584745{background-image: url(https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/contact-banner-bg.jpg?id=20253) !important;}&#8221; z_index=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;inner-banner-row&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Penang\u2019s Startup Ecosystem Receives Recognition with Georgetown as 8th Ranked City in Southeast Asia<\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=&#8221;normal&#8221; el_class=&#8221;red-separator&#8221; color=&#8221;#ee4023&#8243; transparency=&#8221;1&#8243; thickness=&#8221;2&#8243; up=&#8221;15&#8243; down=&#8221;15&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;white-text&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">11 January 2024<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; use_row_as_full_screen_section=&#8221;no&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; angled_section=&#8221;no&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; background_image_as_pattern=&#8221;without_pattern&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1703764846254{background-color: #f3f5f8 !important;}&#8221; z_index=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;fade-in animate&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;120px&#8221; el_class=&#8221;height-x120&#8243;][vc_row_inner row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=&#8221;30954&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; qode_css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;single-featured-image&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;60px&#8221; el_class=&#8221;height-x60&#8243;][vc_row_inner row_type=&#8221;row&#8221; type=&#8221;grid&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;content-row&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>Georgetown is 2nd highest-ranked city in Malaysia with KL at 4th spot<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Supporting startup ecosystem part of plan to attract high-tech industries<br \/>\n<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20255 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-exabytes-team.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"511\" height=\"337\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 511px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 511\/337;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20255 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-exabytes-team.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"511\" height=\"337\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Exabytes, a Penang based regional hosting company is widely considered to be the state&#8217;s most successful startup. Filepic shows it hosting students from Singapore&#8217;s Temasek Polytechnic in 2019.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-20256 lazyload\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-piktochart.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"241\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 519px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 519\/241;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-20256 \" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-piktochart.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"519\" height=\"241\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Piktochart is a respected Penang based startup with a global customer base for its products.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong> January 11, 2024 &#8211; <\/strong>In a statement, Digital Penang marked a significant milestone for Penang\u2019s technology startup ecosystem as it received the \u201cOutstanding Ecosystem among Medium-Sized Population Cities in Southeast Asia 2023\u201d award from StartupBlink, a leading startup ecosystem map and research center based in Z\u00fcrich, Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs the 2nd highest-ranked city in Malaysia and 8th in Southeast Asia, George Town exemplifies excellence and innovation. Additionally, it leads among Southeast Asian cities within its population tier, solidifying its position as a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs,\u201d said Eli David, CEO at StartupBlink.<\/p>\n<p>Mahmod Shamsi, the Head of Business Development at StartupBlink, highlighted an increased momentum of startup activities within Penang, notably in 2023, that underscores forward-thinking initiatives supporting startups during the early stages of business development. This has also been reflected in the upward trend of Penang\u2019s global ranking by 12 positions and is currently ranked 8th in the region.<\/p>\n<p>Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur (also ranked 87<sup>th<\/sup> in the world), Manila, Ho Ci Minh City and Hanoi rank ahead of Penang (also ranked the 329<sup>th<\/sup> city in the world) in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20257 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-easyparcel-penang.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"292\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 478px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 478\/292;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20257 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-easyparcel-penang.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"292\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Easyparcel is a logistics platform from Penang that counts Exabytes founder, Chan Kee Siak as as key angel investor. Easyparcle last raised a US$10.5 million Series B in 2019.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis award serves as a testament to the Penang State Government\u2019s commitment to nurture a vibrant startup ecosystem as a key driver of sustained economic growth. As our startups develop new technologies and solutions to address contemporary challenges, we seek to foster a state that attracts investment and promotes the expansion of high-tech industries in Penang,\u201d said Zairil Khir Johari, the Penang State EXCO for Infrastructure, Transport and Digital.<\/p>\n<p>Penang has set an ambitious goal of fostering 500 technology startups by 2030. As of 2023, the state has successfully cultivated 150 startups, spanning diverse technology verticals including e-commerce, hardtech, deeptech, edtech, agritech and fintech. To fortify the resilience and sustainability of Penang startups, Digital Penang has launched market development and access programs in collaboration with strategic partners in Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20258 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-forward-college.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"455\" height=\"341\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 455px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 455\/341;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20258 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-forward-college.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"455\" height=\"341\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Forward College (it recently rebranded from the original Forward School) was launched by Penang born Howie Chang who came back from Singapore in 2018 to contribute to Penang&#8217;s talent ecosystem. Exabytes&#8217; Chan was among the angel investors for Forward College.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>[Ed: The above picture replaced an earlier one of Forward College when it was known as Forward School.] <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Qualified startups also received support through market access grants and participation in various investor engagement activities conducted throughout 2023. The establishment of the Penang Chapter of Malaysian Business Angels Network enhanced opportunities for early-stage startups to connect with angel investors. Noteworthy initiatives such as the Penang Digital Creative Week and Digital Penang Hardtech Accelerator programs in 2023 contributed to the cultivation of a differentiated ecosystem within the state. These programs provided substantial support to technology entrepreneurs operating in the creative tech, hardtech and deeptech sectors.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-20259 lazyload\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-ts-ng-kwang-ming.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"291\" height=\"239\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 291px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 291\/239;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-20259 \" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/img-ts-ng-kwang-ming.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"291\" height=\"239\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>In receiving the award, Ts. Ng Kwang Ming <em><strong>(pic)<\/strong><\/em>, the CEO of Digital Penang, emphasised the significance of partnerships in contributing to the vibrant technology startup ecosystem including mentors, investors and government agencies, for elevating Penang and Malaysia. Ng also took the opportunity to invite aspiring startup founders and technology entrepreneurs in Penang to apply and participate in Digital Penang\u2019s 2024 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitalpenang.my\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">programmes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalnewsasia.com\/digital-economy\/penangs-startup-ecosystem-receives-recognition-georgetown-8th-ranked-city-southeast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Digital News Asia<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;120px&#8221; el_class=&#8221;height-x120&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"events-time-box\">\n<h2>11<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Thu<\/p>\n<p>January \u201824<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":5127,"featured_media":30954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[316],"tags":[],"news_year":[295],"news_month":[199],"local_insights_alphabet":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38917"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38917"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38932,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38917\/revisions\/38932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38917"},{"taxonomy":"news_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_year?post=38917"},{"taxonomy":"news_month","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_month?post=38917"},{"taxonomy":"local_insights_alphabet","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investpenang.gov.my\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/local_insights_alphabet?post=38917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}