MDV NextWave 2025: Catalysing Malaysia’s Technology-Led Transformation

Key stakeholders outline innovation and financing priorities beyond Budget 2026, strengthening collaboration to advance Malaysia’s technology ecosystem.

Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), today hosted the inaugural MDV NextWave under the theme “Driving Economic Transformation and Sustainability through Technology”. The forum explored strategies to advance Malaysia’s transformation through technology, innovation, and sustainability, aligning efforts across sectors to strengthen national competitiveness. The half-day event brought together policymakers, financiers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to accelerate Malaysia’s journey toward a technology-driven and sustainable economy.

Held at The Glass Box, The MET, Kuala Lumpur, the event was graced by YBrs. Puan Aidawati Misdar, Under-Secretary, Strategic Technology and S&T Applications Division, MOSTI, with the welcoming remarks by YB Wong Chen, Chairman of MDV. 

The event drew participation from leading government agencies and private-sector players, including Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), Suruhanjaya Tenaga, Cradle Fund, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) and National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM).

Puan Aidawati, who delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Puan Norsham, said that MDV NextWave 2025 embodies MOSTI’s vision of a collaborative ecosystem where policy direction, financing innovation, and industry execution move in tandem to strengthen Malaysia’s innovation landscape.

“Through frameworks such as 10-10 MySTIE, MOSTI prioritises Research and Development, Commercialisation and Innovation (R&D&C&I) in Artificial Intelligence (AI), green technology and advanced manufacturing — and MDV plays a catalytic role in translating these efforts into commercial reality,” said Puan Aidawati.

She added that the forum’s timing — soon after Budget 2026 — underscores the Government’s continuing commitment to research, digitalisation and energy transition as engines of inclusive, high-value growth under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13).

Meanwhile, YB Wong Chen emphasised that transformation is never the work of one organisation alone, but a collective effort driven by alignment between policy, capability, and capital. “The Government directs, industry executes, and financiers like MDV design the capital solutions — this is how Malaysia can accelerate progress in high-tech industries and strengthen its resilience in an increasingly competitive region,” he said.

He added that as the nation’s dedicated technology financier under MOSTI, MDV plays a pivotal role in turning policy aspirations into tangible industry outcomes, ensuring that innovation receives effective and targeted financing. “Our goal is to ensure that no viable idea, start-up, or project is left unfunded merely because traditional financiers find it too risky,” he noted.

“Platforms like NextWave are not just discussion spaces but action platforms,” YB Wong Chen remarked, expressing hope that the event will spark new collaborations and partnerships to push Malaysia’s innovation agenda forward.

The keynote presentation by Pn. Zalina Zainol, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Development) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), provided insights into Malaysia’s post-Budget 2026 economic outlook and future investment opportunities.

“Budget 2026 reinforces the momentum of Malaysia’s transformation journey. It turns national strategies - the NIMP 2030, NETR and the 13th Malaysia Plan into real, actionable impact. Initiatives like MDV’s Next Wave 2025 play a vital role in translating policy into progress by nurturing innovation and connecting ideas with capital. Together, we are building an ecosystem anchored on execution, collaboration and sustainable growth,” said Puan Zalina.

MDV NextWave 2025 featured a series of high-level discussions centred on Malaysia’s national technology priorities, including the semiconductor and E&E industry, energy transition, start-up financing, and digital connectivity. 

Discussions focused on strengthening Malaysia’s position in high-value sectors, advancing renewable energy adoption, improving access to innovation financing, and driving digital transformation — all crucial for building a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive economy. 

As a technology financier, MDV provides structured financing, including venture debt, project finance and blended-finance mechanisms, to support companies and technologies across strategic sectors. MDV’s objective is to bridge the “innovation gap” and ensure that viable ideas move beyond R&D into successful commercialisation.

By bringing together government, industry and finance at NextWave 2025, MDV has reinforced its role as a catalyst for Malaysia’s technology-led transformation. The partnerships, ideas and strategies arising from the event are expected to drive progress in key sectors, strengthen Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem and contribute toward sustainable economic growth.

MDV NextWave 2025 concluded with a shared commitment to translate insights into action through strategic partnerships, co-investment initiatives and policy collaboration. The forum is expected to serve as an annual platform to advance Malaysia’s technology financing ecosystem and to mobilise innovation for sustainable growth.

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