On this episode of Open for Business, we discuss the evolution of expense management platforms in Malaysia with Ivan Alias, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer at Merchantrade Asia.



We'll explore how Merchantrade Asia's latest corporate solution, Merchantrade Money Biz, which is also Malaysia's first corporate wallet, is redefining expense management for businesses of varying sizes and how businesses can navigate the challenges and opportunities in this ever-changing tech environment.

On this episode of Open for Business, we discuss the evolution of expense management platforms in Malaysia with Ivan Alias, Deputy Chief Commercial Officer at Merchantrade Asia.We'll explore how Merchantrade Asia's latest corporate solution, Merchantrade Money Biz, which is also Malaysia's first corporate wallet, is redefining expense management for businesses of varying sizes and how businesses can navigate the challenges and opportunities in this ever-changing tech environment.

The flagship entrepreneurship show on BFM, featuring personal business stories from early stage start-ups, all the way to billionaire octogenarians in Malaysia and abroad. Notable guests include Martin Cooper (father of the mobile phone), Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks), Ralph Henry Baer (father of video games), Tony Buzan (Mindmap Guru), Isaac Tigrett (Hard Rock Cafe founder), Robert Kiyosaki (Financial Guru), Nick Vujicic (motivational speaker) and more. Tap into this valuable resource of shared experiences for the SME industry, which also touches on news, issues and trends affecting the business community and beyond.

Open For Business

Discover fresh concepts, tackle obstacles, and unleash growth - Open For Business is the dynamic show where BFM engages with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry trailblazers, igniting inspiration, sparking success, and exploring new business models.

Amplifying Expense Management with Merchantrade Asia

We hear from Big Tiny, a property development company transforming the dream of serene, nature-immersed living into a reality. Founded by Jeff Yeo and his co-founders Adrian and Dave, Big Tiny combines eco-friendly tiny homes with the beauty of nature, offering a sustainable travel experience. With an initial investment of S$100,000, they broke even in their first year and now boast a portfolio of 300 tiny houses across the globe. In this episode, Jeff Yeo shares their journey from inception to international expansion, the challenges faced, and their future ambitions.

Image Credit: Big Tiny

We hear from Big Tiny, a property development company transforming the dream of serene, nature-immersed living into a reality. Founded by Jeff Yeo and his co-founders Adrian and Dave, Big Tiny combines eco-friendly tiny homes with the beauty of nature, offering a sustainable travel experience. With an initial investment of S$100,000, they broke even in their first year and now boast a portfolio of 300 tiny houses across the globe. In this episode, Jeff Yeo shares their journey from inception to international expansion, the challenges faced, and their future ambitions. Image Credit: Big Tiny

Eco-Friendly Living with Tiny Houses

Paywatch is a financial services company that provides earned wage access (EWA) services to help employees get banked, receive credit, and improve their access to financial products.



Richard Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of Paywatch, founded the business in 2019 with his brother Alex. Together, they have built Paywatch as the only bank-backed and regulator-approved Earned Wage Access solution in Asia. Today, they have expanded their business not only in Malaysia and South Korea but also in other Asia Pacific countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, with their eyes set on Thailand and Vietnam ahead.


As of June, Paywatch had processed over $58 million in salaries through its system and was growing month-over-month by as much as 15%. Their user base is spread across South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with notable clients including KFC, Pizza Hut (part of QSR Brands), Wilmar International, PayNet, and Jaya Grocer, among others.


Last month, Paywatch raised US$30 million (approximately RM141 million) in funding from a mix of equity and credit facilities to continue its growth and expansion plans.


In this conversation, Richard will give us a sense of why he started Paywatch, the problem he aims to address, the business opportunities present, the challenges in turning it into reality, and their growth path ahead.

Paywatch is a financial services company that provides earned wage access (EWA) services to help employees get banked, receive credit, and improve their access to financial products.Richard Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of Paywatch, founded the business in 2019 with his brother Alex. Together, they have built Paywatch as the only bank-backed and regulator-approved Earned Wage Access solution in Asia. Today, they have expanded their business not only in Malaysia and South Korea but also in other Asia Pacific countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, with their eyes set on Thailand and Vietnam ahead. As of June, Paywatch had processed over $58 million in salaries through its system and was growing month-over-month by as much as 15%. Their user base is spread across South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with notable clients including KFC, Pizza Hut (part of QSR Brands), Wilmar International, PayNet, and Jaya Grocer, among others. Last month, Paywatch raised US$30 million (approximately RM141 million) in funding from a mix of equity and credit facilities to continue its growth and expansion plans. In this conversation, Richard will give us a sense of why he started Paywatch, the problem he aims to address, the business opportunities present, the challenges in turning it into reality, and their growth path ahead.

Paywatch's Ambitious Plan: New Era of Financial Access for the Underbanked?

Founded in 2017 with the aim to redefine workspaces, Infinity8 today offers dynamic coworking environments that cater to both local and international businesses. With a focus on flexibility and comprehensive support services, Infinity8 provides not just physical space but also recruitment, HR payroll, and enterprise solutions. These offerings make it a differentiating player in easing market entry for foreign companies and supporting Malaysia's economic framework.


Today we speak to Lee Sheah Liang, the Co-Founder of Infinity8, on its journey from a 1,400 sq ft first floor lot and just 4 coworkers in Johor and explore the profound impact coworking spaces have on the local economy, and the strategic importance of Infinity8's expansions.

Founded in 2017 with the aim to redefine workspaces, Infinity8 today offers dynamic coworking environments that cater to both local and international businesses. With a focus on flexibility and comprehensive support services, Infinity8 provides not just physical space but also recruitment, HR payroll, and enterprise solutions. These offerings make it a differentiating player in easing market entry for foreign companies and supporting Malaysia's economic framework. Today we speak to Lee Sheah Liang, the Co-Founder of Infinity8, on its journey from a 1,400 sq ft first floor lot and just 4 coworkers in Johor and explore the profound impact coworking spaces have on the local economy, and the strategic importance of Infinity8's expansions.

Amplifying Expense Management with Merchantrade Asia

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