Sunway iLabs and Cradle Launch Deep Tech Ventures Lab to Accelerate Malaysia’s Innovation Ecosystem

TL;DR:

• Sunway iLabs and Cradle Fund have partnered to launch the Startup Deep Tech Ventures Lab (DTVL), a six-month co-creation program in Malaysia.
• The program, which runs from July to December 2025, aims to build and scale high-impact AI and deep tech startups.
• 20 startups were selected to participate, addressing critical challenges in areas like AI, energy transition, and food and water security.
• The initiative is backed by a powerful coalition of local and international partners, including Deep Tech Labs (UK) and Investible (Australia/Singapore), as well as leading Malaysian universities.
• A Pre-Demo Day is scheduled for September, with a final Demo Day in October/November to showcase the most promising ventures.

In a strategic move to boost innovation across Southeast Asia, Sunway iLabs, the innovation arm of Sunway Group, is collaborating with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) to launch the Startup Deep Tech Ventures Lab (DTVL). This transformative six-month co-creation program is designed to build and scale high-impact artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech startups that tackle some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

The program, which is running from July to December 2025, is tailored for early-stage startups working at the intersection of science, engineering, and societal impact. Participants will receive expert-led workshops, personalized mentorship, and access to a global network of investors to help turn their ambitious ideas into market-ready solutions.

A Powerful Coalition of Partners

The DTVL is supported by a robust network of global and local innovation leaders. Core partners include Cradle, Malaysia’s focal point agency for early-stage startups; Deep Tech Labs, a UK-based accelerator and VC fund backed by the University of Cambridge; Investible, a venture capital firm from Australia and Singapore; and CloudMile, an AI and cloud technology company.

Further strengthening the program is a consortium of leading Malaysian academic institutions, including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, and Sunway University, as well as venture firms like Gobi Partners and The Hive Southeast Asia. This diverse coalition provides a launchpad for the next generation of transformative deep tech ventures.

Tackling Critical Challenges

Following a competitive selection process, 20 startups were chosen from 69 applicants to participate. These ventures are developing solutions to urgent global and regional challenges across seven key verticals:

• Artificial intelligence and deep tech
• Food and water security
• Health and wellness
• Intelligent autonomy
• Semiconductor applications
• Energy transition
• Decarbonization

The program will culminate in a Pre-Demo Day in September, where all startups will present their progress to regional VCs and policymakers. The top five to ten ventures will then be invited to a final Demo Day in October or November to showcase their breakthrough technologies on a global stage.

“DTVL embodies our vision to drive deep tech innovation that delivers both commercial success and meaningful societal impact,” said Matt van Leeuwen, Chief Innovation Officer of Sunway Group and CEO of Sunway iLabs. “We’re not just investing in technology—we’re investing in solutions that can shape a better future for Malaysia and the region.”

To learn more about the Deep Tech Ventures Lab or to engage with the program and its startups, visit innovationlabs.sunway.edu.my/deeptech.