Scale Asia 2026 has opened applications for the Pakistan-Malaysia Innovation Corridor, a cross-border founder exchange initiative designed to help Pakistani startups explore expansion opportunities in Malaysia and ASEAN markets. The program aims to strengthen regional collaboration and create pathways for Pakistani founders to connect with investors, policymakers, and innovation leaders in Southeast Asia.
The initiative is jointly organized by Innoventures Global, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), and Juwai IQI, combining the expertise of leading ecosystem builders from both countries to promote innovation-driven growth.
Targeting early to mid-stage startups, the program provides founders with the resources, exposure, and strategic networks needed to scale regionally. It focuses on ventures with clear expansion plans aligned with Malaysia’s priority sectors, including technology, sustainability, digital transformation, and trade.
Applications for the program are open until November 30, 2025, with longlisting to follow on November 31, 2025, and final shortlisting on December 10, 2025. Selected participants will undergo an online preparation phase from December 15, 2025, to January 5, 2026, designed to equip them with insights into the Malaysian innovation landscape and help them refine their market entry strategies.
Through Scale Asia 2026, participating founders will gain access to a curated series of networking sessions, investor meetings, and ecosystem immersions in Kuala Lumpur. The initiative promises a holistic experience that bridges Pakistan’s emerging startup ecosystem with Malaysia’s mature innovation infrastructure, providing startups with a springboard to expand across ASEAN.
The Pakistan-Malaysia Innovation Corridor also aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen trade and technology collaboration between the two countries. By facilitating founder exchange and ecosystem linkages, it aims to create long-term channels for innovation transfer and investment flow.
Selected startups will benefit from opportunities to meet top Malaysian innovation leaders, policymakers, and investors, as well as to explore potential business partnerships and trade opportunities. The program also offers visibility through exclusive networking receptions and media engagement, enhancing the participating startups’ profiles across Asian markets.
Scale Asia 2026 continues the growing momentum of regional startup connectivity, positioning Pakistan as a key innovation hub with increasing links to Southeast Asia. By empowering founders to scale beyond borders, the initiative represents a crucial step toward building a stronger, more interconnected Asian startup ecosystem.
Interested founders can apply at https://lnkd.in/dDtQVJqJ before the November 30, 2025 deadline.
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