Backed by 500 Global, AI startup Awatar Innovations is on a mission to build the next generation of agentic chatbots. But what does it really take to build a deep tech company in Malaysia's burgeoning but challenging AI landscape?



The co-founding trio. Premesh Chandran, Eshwaren M, and Razlan Rizal, join us to share their story. They discuss their unique team dynamic, their strategy of using free consumer tools like Sakura AI as marketing for their deeper B2B enterprise solutions, and their plan to raise a $500k seed round to fuel their growth.



We discuss:


The vision to build agentic AI chatbots for businesses.


The unique challenges of building an AI startup in Malaysia (high costs, education gap).


Their product strategy: using free tools like Sakura AI to drive B2B leads.


Their business model, from free entry-level bots to full enterprise solutions.


Their plan to raise a $500k seed round for team and market expansion.



For aspiring AI founders and investors, this is an inside look at the journey and strategy of an early-stage Malaysian tech venture.

Backed by 500 Global, AI startup Awatar Innovations is on a mission to build the next generation of agentic chatbots. But what does it really take to build a deep tech company in Malaysia's burgeoning but challenging AI landscape?The co-founding trio. Premesh Chandran, Eshwaren M, and Razlan Rizal, join us to share their story. They discuss their unique team dynamic, their strategy of using free consumer tools like Sakura AI as marketing for their deeper B2B enterprise solutions, and their plan to raise a $500k seed round to fuel their growth.We discuss:<ul><li>The vision to build agentic AI chatbots for businesses.</li><li>The unique challenges of building an AI startup in Malaysia (high costs, education gap).</li><li>Their product strategy: using free tools like Sakura AI to drive B2B leads.</li><li>Their business model, from free entry-level bots to full enterprise solutions.</li><li>Their plan to raise a $500k seed round for team and market expansion.</li></ul>For aspiring AI founders and investors, this is an inside look at the journey and strategy of an early-stage Malaysian tech venture.

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.

Why MalaysiaKini’s Co-Founder is Now Betting on AI

For years, kombucha was dismissed as a niche, "hipster" health drink. Now, WonderBrew has transformed it into a mainstream Malaysian beverage, scaling from a home kitchen in 2018 to over 2,000 retail touchpoints today. But how do you mass-produce a living, fermenting beverage without compromising its quality—or having it explode on the supermarket shelf?



Co-founders Joseph Poh (CEO) and Loke Boon Eng (COO) join us to share their story: 




WonderBrew’s journey from a Subang Jaya home kitchen to generating RM3 million in annual revenue.


The operational realities of scaling a "living" product and transitioning to giant stainless steel vats.


The rigorous process and gradual revenue payoff of becoming Malaysia's first Halal-certified kombucha brand.


How the 35% equity deal with Loob Holdings (makers of Tealive) integrated a corporate, data-driven playbook into an artisan brand.


Regional expansion plans, their new honey-based line 'Jun Tea', and whether the endgame points to an IPO or a full acquisition.

For years, kombucha was dismissed as a niche, "hipster" health drink. Now, WonderBrew has transformed it into a mainstream Malaysian beverage, scaling from a home kitchen in 2018 to over 2,000 retail touchpoints today. But how do you mass-produce a living, fermenting beverage without compromising its quality—or having it explode on the supermarket shelf?Co-founders Joseph Poh (CEO) and Loke Boon Eng (COO) join us to share their story:&nbsp;<ul><li>WonderBrew’s journey from a Subang Jaya home kitchen to generating RM3 million in annual revenue.</li><li>The operational realities of scaling a "living" product and transitioning to giant stainless steel vats.</li><li>The rigorous process and gradual revenue payoff of becoming Malaysia's first Halal-certified kombucha brand.</li><li>How the 35% equity deal with Loob Holdings (makers of Tealive) integrated a corporate, data-driven playbook into an artisan brand.</li><li>Regional expansion plans, their new honey-based line 'Jun Tea', and whether the endgame points to an IPO or a full acquisition.</li></ul>

From Hipster Tea To RM3 Million: WonderBrew’s Mass Market Formula

How do you scale "good vibes" & namaste into a sustainable, 8-figure business? On the surface, the boutique fitness industry looks like a beautiful blend of aesthetics, mindfulness, and calm. But underneath that highly curated exterior is a fiercely competitive, operationally intense environment where your core product, the instructor, literally walks out the door every single night.



When The Flow Studio opened its first location in Bangsar in 2018, it started as a bootstrapped venture designed to bring high-quality, low-impact movement to Kuala Lumpur. By fiercely defending its brand consistency, hyper-localising its community offerings, and pricing its classes as "attainable luxury," the brand aggressively scaled its footprint, building a loyal customer base and 12-studios across Malaysia and Singapore.



To sustain that growth and institutionalise the brand, the company had to evolve. Tiffany Yow, CEO and Co-Founder of The Flow Studio, joins Open for Business to unpack her transition from a bootstrapped founder to a private equity-backed CEO. She reveals the rigorous unit economics behind their vertically integrated business, the operational playbook for systemising a premium brand experience, and why she partnered with impact investor Bintang Capital Partners to prepare for the company's next major financial milestone.



Learn More About:




Attainable Luxury: How The Flow Studio justifies its premium brand experience at an average market price (like an RM55 group reformer class) to make intelligent, low-impact movement accessible to the masses.


Systemising the Vibes: The operational playbook for maintaining strict brand consistency across 12 venues, from the signature studio scent to rigorous internal instructor training, so clients trust the brand over the individual teacher.


Vertical Integration: How the business diversified its revenue streams beyond drop-in classes by launching US-accredited teacher training programs, retail merchandise, and HRD-certified corporate wellness retreats.


The B Corp Ambition: Why the company is pursuing B Corp certification, and the strategic importance of operating a 95% female workforce that creates flexible career pathways for single mothers and returning professionals.

How do you scale "good vibes" &amp; namaste into a sustainable, 8-figure business? On the surface, the boutique fitness industry looks like a beautiful blend of aesthetics, mindfulness, and calm. But underneath that highly curated exterior is a fiercely competitive, operationally intense environment where your core product, the instructor, literally walks out the door every single night.When The Flow Studio opened its first location in Bangsar in 2018, it started as a bootstrapped venture designed to bring high-quality, low-impact movement to Kuala Lumpur. By fiercely defending its brand consistency, hyper-localising its community offerings, and pricing its classes as "attainable luxury," the brand aggressively scaled its footprint, building a loyal customer base and 12-studios across Malaysia and Singapore.To sustain that growth and institutionalise the brand, the company had to evolve. Tiffany Yow, CEO and Co-Founder of The Flow Studio, joins Open for Business to unpack her transition from a bootstrapped founder to a private equity-backed CEO.&nbsp;She reveals the rigorous unit economics behind their vertically integrated business, the operational playbook for systemising a premium brand experience, and why she partnered with impact investor Bintang Capital Partners to prepare for the company's next major financial milestone.Learn More About:<ul><li>Attainable Luxury: How The Flow Studio justifies its premium brand experience at an average market price (like an RM55 group reformer class) to make intelligent, low-impact movement accessible to the masses.</li><li>Systemising the Vibes: The operational playbook for maintaining strict brand consistency across 12 venues, from the signature studio scent to rigorous internal instructor training, so clients trust the brand over the individual teacher.</li><li>Vertical Integration: How the business diversified its revenue streams beyond drop-in classes by launching US-accredited teacher training programs, retail merchandise, and HRD-certified corporate wellness retreats.</li><li>The B Corp Ambition: Why the company is pursuing B Corp certification, and the strategic importance of operating a 95% female workforce that creates flexible career pathways for single mothers and returning professionals.</li></ul>

12 Studios, 8 Figures, PE-Backed: Inside The Flow Studio

Advanced diagnostics often remain locked inside centralised laboratories and are technically impressive, but inaccessible to many who need them most. Ablesen is attempting to bridge that gap.



Founded by Zainiharyati Mohd Zain and selected as one of the top startups in the 2025 PACE Bootcamp by ARTEM Ventures, Ablesen develops rapid, sensor-based diagnostic platforms designed for deployment beyond traditional lab environments. Currently at the MVP to early-commercialisation stage and fully bootstrapped, the company is navigating the complex journey from scientific validation to regulatory readiness and market entry.



We explore the realities of building a deep-tech startup in Malaysia, from governance lessons and fundraising strategy to product development, commercial viability, and the ambition to scale regionally.

Advanced diagnostics often remain locked inside centralised laboratories and are technically impressive, but inaccessible to many who need them most. Ablesen is attempting to bridge that gap.Founded by Zainiharyati Mohd Zain and selected as one of the top startups in the 2025 PACE Bootcamp by ARTEM Ventures, Ablesen develops rapid, sensor-based diagnostic platforms designed for deployment beyond traditional lab environments. Currently at the MVP to early-commercialisation stage and fully bootstrapped, the company is navigating the complex journey from scientific validation to regulatory readiness and market entry.We explore the realities of building a deep-tech startup in Malaysia, from governance lessons and fundraising strategy to product development, commercial viability, and the ambition to scale regionally.

Why MalaysiaKini’s Co-Founder is Now Betting on AI

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