MDEC DEX CONNEX helps startups entry regional markets

[This is a sponsored article with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).]

One widespread factor we’ve seen seasoned, true blue entrepreneurs advise budding enterprise leaders in Malaysia is to not pigeonhole themselves. 

As a substitute of specializing in our nation, native companies ought to solid their web wider and give attention to dominating the regional market. 

The truth is, having a wider market attain has pushed Kuala Lumpur to turn out to be one of many world’s prime 20 rising startup ecosystems, in keeping with the Startup Genome 2025 report. 

Accessing overseas markets may be difficult, although. That’s why, for years now, Malaysia Digital Financial system Company (MDEC) has been working to assist Malaysian firms acquire this entry and broaden their footprint to different nations.

Particularly, via its initiative referred to as the Digital Export (DEX) CONNEX programmes. 

It’s all about constructing connections 

DEX CONNEX is a platform designed to interact, join, and showcase Malaysian tech firms via MDEC’s Enterprise Assist Ecosystem companions in every market. 

In the beginning, the first goal is to facilitate strategic partnerships. From there, market growth and export alternatives are inside attain. DEX CONNEX additionally emphasises networking, which may serve to drive innovation and permit bnew

To do that, MDEC faucets into a sturdy regional community of companions. These companions embody a various vary of stakeholders, together with channel companions, authorities businesses, associations, corporates, and extra. 

It’s primarily all people you’ll need in your aspect as you broaden your corporation into a brand new territory. 

Subsequent cease, Thailand and Vietnam

Earlier this yr, MDEC’s market entry programme has already facilitated two journeys overseas—first to the Philippines, then to Indonesia (which is its largest so far). 

The go to to the Philippines introduced Malaysian delegates to the Microsoft Philippines workplace and in addition concerned a Enterprise Matching exercise, amongst different nice alternatives.

The most recent go to to Indonesia was remarkably profitable. MDEC noticed 83 Malaysian tech companies ink 26 MoUs within the nation, producing RM450 million in digital exports.

But it surely doesn’t cease there. The DEX CONNEX programme is setting sail for Thailand (August 4 to six) and Vietnam (August 21 to 22) too. 

Gaining market entry in these notable nations is essential for Malaysia. Serving to our native firms develop will trickle into different elements of our nation’s material, similar to nurturing our expertise, attracting investments, driving innovation, and even contributing to taxes. 

In different phrases, MDEC opening the doorways for Malaysian firms to realize entry isn’t simply to learn particular person companies, it is going to strengthen Malaysia’s general ecosystem.

Get world at the moment 

By now, you could be questioning how one can be a part of this illustrious programme. 

Effectively, DEX CONNEX is open to all Malaysian tech firms. And guess what? No participation charges are required! 

The price from the flight and lodging will must be borne by the businesses, however this can be a incredible probability for Malaysian tech startups to familiarise themselves with our neighbouring markets. 

In spite of everything, you shouldn’t let your self be restricted by Malaysia’s 30+ million inhabitants dimension—embarking on this market entry journey will serve to extend your attain and potential stakeholders. With Malaysia being smack in the course of ASEAN, this already units native firms up for nice regional success.

In the event you’re inquisitive about both DEX CONNEX Thailand or DEX CONNEX Vietnam, registrations are nonetheless open. Purposes are open for the Thailand programme till July 25, whereas the Vietnam journey will shut on August 11. 

You will get extra data and join on MDEC’s web site—simply make sure that to do it earlier than the deadline. 

From KL to the world

As Malaysian tech firms broaden regionally via programmes like DEX CONNEX, they’re additionally making ready to showcase their improvements on the worldwide stage at Sensible Metropolis Expo Kuala Lumpur (SCEKL). 

Occurring September 17-19, 2025, this occasion is hosted by the Ministry of Digital and co-organised by MDEC and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). 

SCEKL is the Southeast Asian version of a number one city innovation occasion, the Sensible Metropolis Expo World Congress introduced by Fira Barcelona.

This yr, SCEKL is themed “AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future,” and can convey collectively world thought leaders and innovators to discover how digital applied sciences and AI are reworking the way in which we dwell, work, and join in our cities.

The expo will characteristic notable changemakers, together with keynote speaker Dr. David Hanson, the visionary behind the famend Sophia the Robotic and founding father of Hanson Robotics. Sophia the Robotic may even make a particular look on the occasion.

Spotlighting Malaysia’s digital capabilities to worldwide stakeholders, SCEKL is a strategic platform for export-ready options to realize visibility, entice partnerships, and strengthen regional presence—additional cementing Malaysia’s place as a digital chief in Southeast Asia.

• Study extra about Malaysia Digital Financial system Company (MDEC) right here.
• For extra about SCEKL 2025, please go to www.smartcityexpokl.com
• Learn different articles we’ve written about MDEC right here

Featured Picture Credit score: MDEC