While the AI ecosystem is filled with developer meetups and technical hackathons, a gap remains for non-technical professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs who need hands-on familiarity with AI tools. PROMPT:CITY is tackling this space by collaborating with cultural events like Urbanscapes 2026 to reach everyday consumers and hobbyists where they spend their time.

Wong Joon Ian, Founder of PROMPT:CITY, joins Open for Business to discuss how he is building a sustainable events and media platform around AI education. He breaks down the unit economics of ticket sales versus corporate sponsorships, the rise of "vibe coding" and bespoke software, navigating creative backlash against generative tools, and his strategy for expanding the platform across Asia-Pacific subcultures.

While the AI ecosystem is filled with developer meetups and technical hackathons, a gap remains for non-technical professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs who need hands-on familiarity with AI tools. PROMPT:CITY is tackling this space by collaborating with cultural events like Urbanscapes 2026 to reach everyday consumers and hobbyists where they spend their time.Wong Joon Ian, Founder of PROMPT:CITY, joins Open for Business to discuss how he is building a sustainable events and media platform around AI education. He breaks down the unit economics of ticket sales versus corporate sponsorships, the rise of "vibe coding" and bespoke software, navigating creative backlash against generative tools, and his strategy for expanding the platform across Asia-Pacific subcultures.

PROMPT:KL at Urbanscapes: AI for Non-Techies

In 2015, a professional wedding planner preparing for her own marriage hit a brick wall. Despite her industry connections, she collided with the premium bridal market’s quietest rule: top-tier designers cut their gowns for one body type. If a bride falls outside those rigid proportions, the luxury tier shuts its doors. 

Rejecting the standard industry compromise of cheap lookalikes, East Chin flew to Barcelona. There, she discovered independent European ateliers crafting extraordinary, inclusive garments without the famous-name markups, and she returned home to build The Gown Atelier around them - Four hundred gowns spread across a lot of different labels, so that the bride nobody else could dress would walk down the aisle in something she loved.

East joins us to strip away the romance of the wedding industry and expose the arithmetic of renting dresses. We break down the reality of competitor price wars, and discuss exactly why a premium gown that once paid for itself in two rentals now demands five. We also explore the logistical machine behind Malaysia Bridal Fashion Week, and the expensive lesson East learned when she realised her own personal taste did not match the market she served.

In 2015, a professional wedding planner preparing for her own marriage hit a brick wall. Despite her industry connections, she collided with the premium bridal market’s quietest rule: top-tier designers cut their gowns for one body type. If a bride falls outside those rigid proportions, the luxury tier shuts its doors.&nbsp;Rejecting the standard industry compromise of cheap lookalikes, East Chin flew to Barcelona. There, she discovered independent European ateliers crafting extraordinary, inclusive garments without the famous-name markups, and she returned home to build The Gown Atelier around them - Four hundred gowns spread across a lot of different labels, so that the bride nobody else could dress would walk down the aisle in something she loved.East joins us to strip away the romance of the wedding industry and expose the arithmetic of renting dresses. We break down the reality of competitor price wars, and discuss exactly why a premium gown that once paid for itself in two rentals now demands five. We also explore the logistical machine behind Malaysia Bridal Fashion Week, and the expensive lesson East learned when she realised her own personal taste did not match the market she served.

The Math Behind Renting Designer Bridal Gowns

Jaedals was created to kill the historical compromise between comfortable “trekky sandals” and style. But the brand's true differentiator lies in its unconventional production engine. Rather than relying wholly on traditional factory assembly lines, the company employs underserved women across Singapore who sew and embellish the sandals directly from their own living rooms. 

After spending nearly two decades building global campaigns for advertising agencies like Ogilvy and TBWA, founder Maggie Dumra launched the brand last year and immediately weaponised her corporate experience to scale the business. Today, Jaedals operates a flagship store in Orchard Road's Mandarin Gallery and secures premium shelf space at Club 21 and KrisShop. By deliberately reinvesting every dollar back into product and team development, the bootstrapped company tripled its revenue over eighteen months without taking a single cent of institutional equity. Now, the brand is pushing into its first international market: Malaysia.

Maggie joins us to unpack the precise unit economics of a Jaedal sandal and the real financial trade-offs of her decentralised production model. We explore why the company actively chooses to delay profitability, and whether a brand deeply tied to one city's culture can successfully capture the Malaysian market.

Jaedals was created to kill the historical compromise between comfortable “trekky sandals” and style. But the brand's true differentiator lies in its unconventional production engine. Rather than relying wholly on traditional factory assembly lines, the company employs underserved women across Singapore who sew and embellish the sandals directly from their own living rooms.&nbsp;After spending nearly two decades building global campaigns for advertising agencies like Ogilvy and TBWA, founder Maggie Dumra launched the brand last year and immediately weaponised her corporate experience to scale the business. Today, Jaedals operates a flagship store in Orchard Road's Mandarin Gallery and secures premium shelf space at Club 21 and KrisShop. By deliberately reinvesting every dollar back into product and team development, the bootstrapped company tripled its revenue over eighteen months without taking a single cent of institutional equity. Now, the brand is pushing into its first international market: Malaysia.Maggie joins us to unpack the precise unit economics of a Jaedal sandal and the real financial trade-offs of her decentralised production model. We explore why the company actively chooses to delay profitability, and whether a brand deeply tied to one city's culture can successfully capture the Malaysian market.

Jaedals: Life's Too Short for Boring Sandals

Batik Boutique is accelerating its retail expansion with the launch of its 1,500-square-foot flagship outlet at Merdeka 118, alongside achieving B Corp recertification with a 92-point score. The social enterprise saw a 75% year-to-date growth in its B2B segment and a 20% rise in B2C retail, further boosted by a viral moment when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wore their joint-designed shirt at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Amy Blair, Founder and CEO of Batik Boutique, joins Open for Business to unpack how the brand capitalised on its Formula 1 collaboration with the Bahrain International Circuit. She discusses managing artisanal supply chains alongside retail expansion, utilising AI for operational efficiency and B2B design, and balancing corporate gifting with long-term brand equity.

Batik Boutique is accelerating its retail expansion with the launch of its 1,500-square-foot flagship outlet at Merdeka 118, alongside achieving B Corp recertification with a 92-point score. The social enterprise saw a 75% year-to-date growth in its B2B segment and a 20% rise in B2C retail, further boosted by a viral moment when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wore their joint-designed shirt at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.Amy Blair, Founder and CEO of Batik Boutique, joins Open for Business to unpack how the brand capitalised on its Formula 1 collaboration with the Bahrain International Circuit. She discusses managing artisanal supply chains alongside retail expansion, utilising AI for operational efficiency and B2B design, and balancing corporate gifting with long-term brand equity.

Batik Boutique: PMX Virality at F1, Merdeka 118, & B2B Growth

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link here.

Gyms in Malaysia aren’t known for big profits, and there’s no shortage of them. So why would seven friends who train together open another one?

COR3 in Kota Damansara is a “box,” the term functional fitness folks use for their gyms. It’s a semi-outdoor space packed with barbells and weights. Six months after opening, it already has more than 150 members.

Joanne Lim and Eddie Yap, two of the seven co-founders, join us to talk about why they started COR3 and how the business works.

We discuss: 


Seven founders, no single boss: How a group of friends from very different careers makes decisions together, and how they funded the gym.


Fitness meets hospitality: What sets COR3 apart, how they make first-timers feel welcome, and why they put community and good coaching first.


The business side: Why they chose a semi-open space, how they plan to grow, and their partnership with AirAsia ahead of Malaysia’s first HYROX race this December.

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.bfm.my/maybanksmeforum">here</a>.Gyms in Malaysia aren’t known for big profits, and there’s no shortage of them. So why would seven friends who train together open another one?COR3 in Kota Damansara is a “box,” the term functional fitness folks use for their gyms. It’s a semi-outdoor space packed with barbells and weights. Six months after opening, it already has more than 150 members.Joanne Lim and Eddie Yap, two of the seven co-founders, join us to talk about why they started COR3 and how the business works.We discuss:&nbsp;<ul><li>Seven founders, no single boss: How a group of friends from very different careers makes decisions together, and how they funded the gym.</li><li>Fitness meets hospitality: What sets COR3 apart, how they make first-timers feel welcome, and why they put community and good coaching first.</li><li>The business side: Why they chose a semi-open space, how they plan to grow, and their partnership with AirAsia ahead of Malaysia’s first HYROX race this December.</li></ul>

Seven Friends, One Gym: Building COR3

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link here.

Virgin Honey makes ready-to-use Acacia honey spoons, with an aim to offer a cleaner and more convenient way to enjoy honey without the mess of a traditional jar. Founded by Veenondhra Subramaniam, the Malaysian FMCG start-up is building a business around a familiar product in a different format.

We discuss who buys single-serve honey, how Virgin Honey is building its market, and what it takes to turn a simple product into a scalable food business.

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.bfm.my/maybanksmeforum">here</a>.Virgin Honey makes ready-to-use Acacia honey spoons, with an aim to offer a cleaner and more convenient way to enjoy honey without the mess of a traditional jar. Founded by Veenondhra Subramaniam, the Malaysian FMCG start-up is building a business around a familiar product in a different format.We discuss who buys single-serve honey, how Virgin Honey is building its market, and what it takes to turn a simple product into a scalable food business.

Can A Honey Spoon Find Its Place In The FMCG Market?

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link here.

Kakao Origin serves non-alcoholic drinks made with Malaysian single-origin chocolate, the first of its kind in the country. It started as a stall in Central Market and now has a flagship at Dayabumi.

We talk about who pays RM16 to RM20 for a cup of chocolate, how they source beans from Malaysian farmers, and whether a drink shop can boost the local cacao industry. 

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.bfm.my/maybanksmeforum">here</a>.Kakao Origin serves non-alcoholic drinks made with Malaysian single-origin chocolate, the first of its kind in the country. It started as a stall in Central Market and now has a flagship at Dayabumi.We talk about who pays RM16 to RM20 for a cup of chocolate, how they source beans from Malaysian farmers, and whether a drink shop can boost the local cacao industry.&nbsp;

Inside Malaysia’s First Single-Origin Cocoa Drink Shop

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link here.

Frank Marini started in the mailroom of an American tour company as a part-time college job. Thirty years later he runs Railbookers Group, the world's largest independent rail holiday company. It builds trips around trains - the rail, the hotels, the sightseeing and the transfers. It offers more than 5,200 rail journeys, employs almost 400 people across seven countries, and is the national tour operator for Amtrak in the United States.

Last October it opened a Singapore hub to serve Southeast Asia, and Malaysia is now one of its markets. More Asian itineraries are on the way.

Frank talks to us about what an independent rail holiday actually is, building a business by listening to customers, and why train travel is having its biggest moment in decades.

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.bfm.my/maybanksmeforum">here</a>.Frank Marini started in the mailroom of an American tour company as a part-time college job. Thirty years later he runs Railbookers Group, the world's largest independent rail holiday company. It builds trips around trains - the rail, the hotels, the sightseeing and the transfers. It offers more than 5,200 rail journeys, employs almost 400 people across seven countries, and is the national tour operator for Amtrak in the United States.Last October it opened a Singapore hub to serve Southeast Asia, and Malaysia is now one of its markets. More Asian itineraries are on the way.Frank talks to us about what an independent rail holiday actually is, building a business by listening to customers, and why train travel is having its biggest moment in decades.

Rail Estate: Building a Global Travel Company Around Trains

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link here.

Can children participate in Malaysia’s growing cashless economy without being exposed to the risks of adult financial products? Vircle founder and CEO Gokula Krishnan Subramaniam believes children need a safer way to manage money, but making digital payments accessible also raises questions about regulation, parental oversight and financial literacy.

From launching Scan & Pay for Kids to expanding beyond schools with DuitNow QR payments, Gokula shares how Vircle is growing its platform, making everyday spending safer for children, and building a financial service that helps younger users develop better money habits.

We discuss:


Whether minors can register for e-wallets under Malaysia’s current regulatory framework.


How Vircle is making digital payments safer for children.


Why the company is expanding beyond schools into everyday spending.


How digital payments can help children develop financial literacy.


What will it take for Vircle to scale into a sustainable regional fintech.

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.bfm.my/maybanksmeforum">here</a>.Can children participate in Malaysia’s growing cashless economy without being exposed to the risks of adult financial products? Vircle founder and CEO Gokula Krishnan Subramaniam believes children need a safer way to manage money, but making digital payments accessible also raises questions about regulation, parental oversight and financial literacy.From launching Scan &amp; Pay for Kids to expanding beyond schools with DuitNow QR payments, Gokula shares how Vircle is growing its platform, making everyday spending safer for children, and building a financial service that helps younger users develop better money habits.We discuss:<ul><li>Whether minors can register for e-wallets under Malaysia’s current regulatory framework.</li><li>How Vircle is making digital payments safer for children.</li><li>Why the company is expanding beyond schools into everyday spending.</li><li>How digital payments can help children develop financial literacy.</li><li>What will it take for Vircle to scale into a sustainable regional fintech.</li></ul>

Can Vircle Change How Children Manage Money?

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link here.

A year ago, Tupai came on BFM to talk about Malaysia's maths problem. Since then, the numbers have gotten worse. In SPM 2025, 21.7% of candidates did not pass Mathematics, and in the latest PISA, Malaysia's maths score fell to 397 points, with only 35% of 15-year-olds reaching basic proficiency, against 65% across OECD countries. 

We get into:


What's new in Tupai 2.0: The new parents app and Tupai 2.0. 


The results so far: Tupai's results from schools that use their app. 


The business model: How Tupai finances their activities and when they expect to make a profit. 

For more information on BFM's SME event, click the link <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.bfm.my/maybanksmeforum">here</a>.A year ago, Tupai came on BFM to talk about Malaysia's maths problem. Since then, the numbers have gotten worse. In SPM 2025, 21.7% of candidates did not pass Mathematics, and in the latest PISA, Malaysia's maths score fell to 397 points, with only 35% of 15-year-olds reaching basic proficiency, against 65% across OECD countries.&nbsp;We get into:<ul><li>What's new in Tupai 2.0: The new parents app and Tupai 2.0.&nbsp;</li><li>The results so far: Tupai's results from schools that use their app.&nbsp;</li><li>The business model: How Tupai finances their activities and when they expect to make a profit.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Tupai Is Back: New Apps, New Numbers, Same Maths Problem

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.

Open For Business

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

2,084 clip(s)