Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) [KWAP] has recently announced the first batch of investments made under its Dana Perintis strategy. The investments made amount to around RM100 million and comprises two direct investments in Malaysian startups and two Venture Capital (VC) fund commitments.
The two startups benefitting from this round of investments are Bateriku (M) Sdn Bhd and Lapasar Sdn Bhd. Bateriku is a rapidly growing automotive service provider with a network of partners nationwide, providing job opportunities and increasing financial inclusion. While Lapasar is an online wholesale marketplace that focuses on meeting the needs of the FMCG industry, accelerating the adoption of digitalisation throughout the economy.
In addition to this, KWAP has also made commitments to two VC funds. These are Vyn Capital, a home-grown fund that invests from the seed stage with a focus on the mobility and supply chain sectors, and Antler, the world’s most active early-stage VC from pre-seed to Series A and beyond. Antler in particular has recently expanded its flagship residency programme to Malaysia, designed to support founders get their startups launched and funded.
KWAP’s Dana Perintis strategy was launched back in September 2023 and was designed specifically to accelerate the development of the Malaysian early-stage ecosystem whilst generating strong returns for beneficiaries via investments in startups and VC funds.
Dana Perintis puts emphasis on six core areas, those being the digital economy, financial inclusion, food security, education, silver economy and climate change. The four investments made by KWAP all fall in line with these six areas.
“With the emergence of attractive opportunities within the Malaysian startup ecosystem, we are pleased to announce Dana Perintis’ inaugural investments. These investments also signify our commitment to recognising and fostering,” said Chief Investment Officer of KWAP, Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin.
“We are confident in the prospects and potential of the investment in these four entities and look forward to working closely with them; adding value and lending KWAP’s support to ensure their success. There will be more investments and announcements to come, as KWAP continues its rollout of Dana Perintis,” he added.
