Registration is now open for Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026, the flagship startup event organised by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s national agency for startup ecosystem development under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). The summit takes place on 4 and 5 November 2026 at The Arch Galeries in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together founders, investors, corporates and ecosystem players from across Malaysia and ASEAN.
Carrying the theme “Build in Malaysia, For ASEAN and Beyond,” Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 is designed to help Malaysian startups access capital, strategic networks and regional markets as the country pursues its goal of becoming a top global startup ecosystem by 2030.
What Is Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026?
Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) is the government-backed focal agency for startup development in Malaysia, operating under MOSTI. The annual Cradle LIVE! Summit serves as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant convergence points for the startup community, attracting founders, venture capitalists, corporate innovation teams and government stakeholders.
The 2026 edition will host more than 20 conference sessions spanning startup innovation, investment strategy, regional market expansion and corporate collaboration. Sessions will run across two thematic tracks and include a mix of keynotes, panel discussions and networking events tailored for the ASEAN startup landscape.
Two Programme Tracks for ASEAN Growth and Innovation
The summit is structured around two thematic tracks, each targeting a different dimension of the startup journey.
The Springboard to ASEAN focuses on regional growth opportunities, investment trends and market expansion strategies. This track is built for startups ready to scale beyond Malaysia and engage with the broader Southeast Asian ecosystem, covering topics such as cross-border market entry and B2B growth across ASEAN.
The BIG Innovation Impact highlights corporate innovation, funding opportunities and collaboration between the public and private sectors. Corporates and government-linked entities will showcase what they are building and investing in, giving startups direct insight into procurement and partnership pathways.
Confirmed sessions include “Malaysia’s Innovation Agenda: Empowering Ecosystem to Drive National and Regional Impact,” “9 Unicorns In, One Lesson Nobody Talks About,” “Corporate Innovation Showcase: What Malaysia’s Corporates Are Building” and “Crossing Borders: Building a B2B Business Across ASEAN.”
Why This Summit Matters for the Region’s Startup Ecosystem
Norsham Abdul Latip, Deputy Secretary-General for Technology Development at MOSTI, highlighted the event’s national significance: “A strong startup ecosystem is one of the key drivers of Malaysia’s innovation-led economy. Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 reflects MOSTI’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between government, industry, investors and research institutions to enable Malaysian startups to expand into ASEAN and global markets.”
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle, framed the summit around the practical needs of early-stage and growth-stage companies: “Every startup begins with a great idea. But success depends on access to networks, capital and markets. That is exactly what we aim to provide through Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026. Guided by our theme, Build in Malaysia, For ASEAN and Beyond, we are connecting Malaysian startups with investors, strategic partners and key ecosystem players to unlock new collaboration opportunities and expand market access.”
Malaysia has set an ambitious target to rank among the world’s top startup ecosystems by 2030. Events like Cradle LIVE! Summit are central to this roadmap, giving startups concentrated access to the capital, mentorship and market connections that are often difficult to build independently. For ASEAN investors, it offers a curated look at some of the region’s most promising emerging companies.
Startups attending the summit can expect to meet potential investors across multiple stages, connect with corporate innovation buyers and explore joint-venture opportunities with regional partners. The summit also provides visibility into government-funded support programmes and grants available through Cradle and MOSTI.
How to Register for Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026
Official registration for Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 is open at live.cradle.com.my/tickets. Startup founders, investors, corporates and ecosystem players across Malaysia and ASEAN are encouraged to register early given anticipated demand from both domestic and regional attendees.
The venue, The Arch Galeries in Kuala Lumpur, is equipped to host large-scale conference programming and networking across multiple tracks and exhibition spaces, making it well suited for an event of this size and scope.
For startups looking to complement their ASEAN journey with other opportunities, the region has seen a surge in similar programmes in 2026. Earlier this year, IPHatch Asia 2026 opened applications for startups seeking patent support and mentorship across Southeast Asia, while the Google AI for the Planet Accelerator expanded its footprint across the Asia Pacific region.
When and where is Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026?
Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 takes place on 4 and 5 November 2026 at The Arch Galeries, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is organised by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
Who can attend Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026?
The summit is open to startup founders, investors, corporates, government agencies and ecosystem players from Malaysia and across ASEAN. Anyone interested in startup innovation, investment and regional market expansion is encouraged to register.
How do I register for Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026?
Official registration for Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 is available at live.cradle.com.my/tickets. Early registration is recommended as demand from domestic and ASEAN attendees is expected to be high.
