From pastry kitchens and whisks to classrooms and business plans, Chef Niklesh Sharma, Founder and Managing Director of the Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts (APCA), has been an entrepreneur in the culinary education space since 2010. Starting with a campus in Malaysia, APCA has expanded to three campuses in India, as well as locations in the Philippines and Indonesia.



Focusing on hands-on training, APCA aims to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals.

In this episode of Open for Business, Chef Niklesh discusses his journey from chef to educator, the challenges of scaling APCA across borders, and the importance of tailoring programs to industry needs. He also shares insights on managing growth and what’s next for APCA.

From pastry kitchens and whisks to classrooms and business plans, Chef Niklesh Sharma, Founder and Managing Director of the Academy of Pastry &amp; Culinary Arts (APCA), has been an entrepreneur in the culinary education space since 2010. Starting with a campus in Malaysia, APCA has expanded to three campuses in India, as well as locations in the Philippines and Indonesia.Focusing on hands-on training, APCA aims to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals.In this episode of Open for Business, Chef Niklesh discusses his journey from chef to educator, the challenges of scaling APCA across borders, and the importance of tailoring programs to industry needs. He also shares insights on managing growth and what’s next for APCA.

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.

From Whisks to Business Plans: Chef Niklesh’s APCA Journey

We speak to Johnson Goh, Co-Founder and CEO of MindHive, a Malaysian startup transforming how businesses drive employee engagement and productivity. With innovative tools that decode workplace behaviour, MindHive helps leaders build more motivated and high-performing teams. A finalist in the Alliance Bank 2024 BizSmart Challenge, MindHive is on a mission to empower organisations with smarter solutions to enhance workforce efficiency.

We speak to Johnson Goh, Co-Founder and CEO of MindHive, a Malaysian startup transforming how businesses drive employee engagement and productivity. With innovative tools that decode workplace behaviour, MindHive helps leaders build more motivated and high-performing teams. A finalist in the Alliance Bank 2024 BizSmart Challenge, MindHive is on a mission to empower organisations with smarter solutions to enhance workforce efficiency.

Cracking the Code to Workplace Happiness

How is CADS helping organisations unlock the power of data and AI?



Since its founding in 2015, the Center of Applied Data Science (CADS) has been on a mission to close the gap between data literacy and the evolving needs of modern businesses. Through its AI-driven platform, CADS.ai, the company enables organizations to align workforce skills with future demands, optimizing talent management and driving impactful business outcomes.



In this episode of Open For Business, Sharala Axryd, Founder and CEO of CADS, shares her journey from telecommunications engineer to tech entrepreneur, the pivotal moments that shaped CADS, and the insights gained from building a $5M USD ARR business.



Here are some key highlights from the conversation:

- Origins: CADS was born out of Sharala’s mission to bridge Malaysia’s data literacy gap, inspired by her personal experiences with brain drain and the need to upskill local talent.

- Pivot to SaaS: Initially focused on corporate training, CADS transitioned to a scalable SaaS model in 2020, centering on its proprietary CADS.ai platform.

- Business Model: CADS generates revenue through enterprise SaaS subscriptions, offering workforce assessments, customized learning paths, and integrated skill management tools.

- Key Achievements: CADS reports $5M USD ARR, 30–40% annual growth, and profitability since inception, positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven talent management.

- Market Expansion: With Malaysia contributing 80–90% of revenue, CADS is targeting regional growth in markets like Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia.

- Funding and Future Plans: After bootstrapping for nearly a decade, CADS is now seeking external funding to accelerate global expansion and scale its platform.

How is CADS helping organisations unlock the power of data and AI?Since its founding in 2015, the Center of Applied Data Science (CADS) has been on a mission to close the gap between data literacy and the evolving needs of modern businesses. Through its AI-driven platform, CADS.ai, the company enables organizations to align workforce skills with future demands, optimizing talent management and driving impactful business outcomes.In this episode of Open For Business, Sharala Axryd, Founder and CEO of CADS, shares her journey from telecommunications engineer to tech entrepreneur, the pivotal moments that shaped CADS, and the insights gained from building a $5M USD ARR business.Here are some key highlights from the conversation:- Origins: CADS was born out of Sharala’s mission to bridge Malaysia’s data literacy gap, inspired by her personal experiences with brain drain and the need to upskill local talent.- Pivot to SaaS: Initially focused on corporate training, CADS transitioned to a scalable SaaS model in 2020, centering on its proprietary CADS.ai platform.- Business Model: CADS generates revenue through enterprise SaaS subscriptions, offering workforce assessments, customized learning paths, and integrated skill management tools.- Key Achievements: CADS reports $5M USD ARR, 30–40% annual growth, and profitability since inception, positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven talent management.- Market Expansion: With Malaysia contributing 80–90% of revenue, CADS is targeting regional growth in markets like Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia.- Funding and Future Plans: After bootstrapping for nearly a decade, CADS is now seeking external funding to accelerate global expansion and scale its platform.

From Zero to $5M ARR: Sharala Axryd’s 9-Year CADS Journey

Donuts are more than just a sweet treat. They are a universal comfort food that brings joy to people of all ages. But in a world where consumers are increasingly seeking unique flavours, premium quality, and memorable experiences, the humble donut is evolving into a canvas for creativity.



Donut Plan, an artisanal doughnut shop, seems to have captured the hearts,and taste buds, of its audience. Today, we speak with Lau Jia Sen, the Founder of Donut Plan, to uncover the story behind the business, the challenges of running a business in a competitive food industry, and his sweet plans for the future.

Donuts are more than just a sweet treat. They are a universal comfort food that brings joy to people of all ages. But in a world where consumers are increasingly seeking unique flavours, premium quality, and memorable experiences, the humble donut is evolving into a canvas for creativity.Donut Plan, an artisanal doughnut shop, seems to have captured the hearts,and taste buds, of its audience. Today, we speak with Lau Jia Sen, the Founder of Donut Plan, to uncover the story behind the business, the challenges of running a business in a competitive food industry, and his sweet plans for the future.

From Whisks to Business Plans: Chef Niklesh’s APCA Journey

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