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On 10th February 2026, the Universiti Malaya Centre of Innovation and Enterprise (UMCIE) successfully hosted its highly anticipated Co-Founder Search Day. The event served as a dynamic matchmaking platform, bringing together the university’s brightest scientific minds and aspiring business leaders to catalyze the next generation of Malaysian deep-tech startups.
The highlight of the day was a series of high-impact pitches from 15 selected UM researchers. Representing a diverse range of fields, from advanced engineering to biotechnology, these researchers presented lab-validated technologies currently seeking commercial leadership.
Each presenter had the opportunity to showcase the "problem-solution fit" of their innovation, inviting potential co-founders to help navigate the journey toward market readiness.
The event saw a strong turnout of entrepreneurs, industry professionals and business students, all eager to explore partnership opportunities. The networking sessions were characterized by:
Expert Exchange: Direct dialogue between technical inventors and commercial strategists.
Talent Matching: Identifying the "missing piece" for research teams-business development, marketing, and operational expertise.
Ecosystem Building: Strengthening the ties between UM’s research community and the local startup ecosystem.
As part of UMCIE’s mission to foster a robust innovation ecosystem, the Co-Founder Search Day is a critical precursor to the UM Deep Tech (UMDT) Accelerator Programme. By pairing technical founders with business-savvy partners, we ensure that groundbreaking research doesn't just stay in the lab but evolves into scalable products that benefit society and the economy.
The UMCIE team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the researchers for their courage and clarity and to the attendees for their collaborative spirit.
