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ScaleUp Malaysia
ScaleUp Malaysia - Building a great company is hard, but you don’t have to go at it alone. We know because we are an experienced team of entrepreneurs,...
ScaleUp Malaysia
ScaleUp Malaysia - Building a great company is hard, but you don’t have to go at it alone. We know because we are an experienced team of entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors who collectively have founded 9 companies, exited 7 companies, and coached more than 1000 companies over 10 years.
General information
Firm type
Generalist
Year founded
2019
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Asia
Country
Malaysia
City
Kuala Lumpur
Corporate office
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Principals
Doc Siva
Senior Partner
Renuka Sena
Senior Partner
Xelia Tong
Managing Partner
Shanli Tay
Managing Partner
Aaron Sarma
General Partner
Andre Sequerah
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How does ScaleUp Malaysia source proprietary deal flow?
The firm sources companies through open applications for its cohort-based accelerator programs. Its partners leverage deep domestic networks — Doc Siva chaired the Ministerial Taskforce for Technopreneur Funding, and Xelia Tong previously headed investments at Cradle — to identify startups that have achieved initial product-market fit but struggle to scale. This grants early visibility into a curated segment of Malaysia's technology pipeline.
Is ScaleUp Malaysia structured as a traditional venture capital firm?
No. ScaleUp Malaysia operates as a hybrid accelerator and investment company. It deploys capital alongside a structured program of operational support — what its partners call 'the invisible management team.' The firm does not function as a blind-pool fund; instead, it selects companies for defined cohort cycles and invests directly in those it coaches.
What investment stages does ScaleUp Malaysia target?
The firm covers seed through growth stages, focusing on scaleups that are post-ideation and ready to pursue rapid revenue growth and regional expansion. The stated priority is on companies that fit the Pegasus model — high revenue growth with a viable path to profitability — rather than speculative pre-revenue startups.
Does ScaleUp Malaysia participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
ScaleUp Malaysia makes direct investments into the companies that complete its accelerator programs. There is no public indication that it commits capital to external venture funds, operating instead as a direct investor with an active operational role in its portfolio.
How is ScaleUp Malaysia connected to Maxis?
Maxis served as a funding partner and co-host for the Cohort 2023 Demo Day. The telecommunications company collaborates with ScaleUp Malaysia to connect high-growth startups to corporate partnership and investment opportunities, although the specific financial arrangement remains undisclosed.
Who runs investment decisions at ScaleUp Malaysia?
Investment decisions are made collectively by the six named partners, who form the core operating team. The group includes Doc Siva, Renuka Sena, Xelia Tong, Shanli Tay, Aaron Sarma, and Andre Sequerah — a blend of former entrepreneurs, investment professionals, and ecosystem builders who jointly evaluate and coach each cohort company.
What is ScaleUp Malaysia's known posture on co-investments?
The firm actively curates investor introductions during its demo days and program cycles, signaling a willingness to syndicate deals with external funding partners. Companies are selected and coached to become investor-ready for subsequent rounds, which ScaleUp Malaysia facilitates rather than monopolizing.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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