Page 4 - Berita Sunway - Issue 71

On the Cover

nsect-based burger patties, artificial
intelligence (AI) facial recognition
Iand an online platform to rent out THE FUTURE
one’s underused car – these are some of
the technology-driven innovations that
have now become a reality in Sunway
City Kuala Lumpur, the flagship smart
city of Sunway Group.

Envisioned as Sunway Group’s ‘Living
Lab’, Sunway City is the company’s
testbed for innovation, bringing
together researchers, experts, and
academia to generate real-world
solutions for a sustainable future. As
a part of the diversified conglomerate,
Sunway City can harness the talent and
resources of the Group’s 13 business
divisions to develop and test innovative
ideas.

Sunway City’s Living Lab comprises
six key focus areas or verticals –
Smart Cities, Edutech (education Digital transformation is taking place across
technology), Digital Health, Agri- Sunway Group at an accelerated pace – best
food Tech (agricultural technology),
E-Commerce, and Fintech (financial showcased in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur,
technology). [See box for more the conglomerate’s Living Lab.
information]
This is in line with Sunway’s
commitment towards achieving digital health, edutech, e-commerce, times more iron than kale and four validation as well as explored
the United Nations Sustainable and new retail, the fund also looks times more fibre than oatmeal. potential synergies with us,” said Wu.
Development Goals (SDGs), which
serves as the framework on which at sectors such as logistics, enterprise Crickets are also sustainable to farm Under the Sunway iLabs Super
Sunway’s core business strategies are solutions, proptech (property and requires fewer resources to produce Accelerator Programme, start-ups such
technology), hospitality and other
– 20 times less land, 2,000 times less
as Ento were able to secure funding
formulated to pursue sustainable verticals that Sunway has business water, 12 times less animal feed, 100 of up to RM100,000 and a potential
development. Through digital interests in. times less greenhouse gas emissions. pilot project across 13 Sunway business
transformation, Sunway City can
achieve its fullest potential as a smart, This makes crickets the Tesla for food divisions.
sustainable integrated township. Among the prolific start-ups Sun SEA nutrition,” said Ento founder and CEO
Capital has invested in thus far include Kevin Wu. In January this year, Ento, along with
Financing digital Singapore-based e-commerce enabler four other start-ups – Juzdrive.com,
innovation Intrepid Group, regional logistics In December last year, Ento partnered CozyHomes, Quadby, and Fitscovery
player TheLorry.com and AI facial Sunway Group to launch the region’s – received an additional RM200,000
Supporting the Living Lab initiative recognition platform, WISE AI. first insect-based burger patty, worth of investments following their
and addressing gaps in funding is developed in partnership with a two- respective pitches to more than 100
Sun SEA Capital, a corporate venture Accelerating digital star Michelin chef in Singapore. venture capitalists and partners at
capital fund launched by Sunway innovation Sunway iLabs Super Accelerator
Berhad in 2018. Ento is also currently working with Virtual Demo Day event.
Addressing global food insecurity and Sunway Malls to connect with retail
promoting sustainable food production
Sun SEA Capital enables Sunway chains such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Launched in July last year, the three-
Group to accelerate the conglomerate’s is Ento, one of the five start-ups selected MyNews.com and Jaya Grocer to month Super Accelerator programme
to join the Sunway iLabs Super
digital transformation through Accelerator Programme in October expand its distribution to customers. provides seed funding, mentorship,
investments in tech start-ups that are last year. and market access to Sunway City’s
aiming for regional business expansion. “Sunway iLabs has connected us to six ‘Living Lab’ verticals. Supported
The fund also allows Sunway Group useful industry insight, product by Sunway Group, Sun SEA Capital
to discover untapped potential in the Specialising in whole roasted cricket feedback, relevant experts as well and regional venture capital firm Gobi
snacks, Ento aims to meet the demand
region, adding value to its existing for alternative protein and the growing as R&D consultation. During the Partners, the next programme opens
businesses and the communities interest in the agri-food sector with its mentoring sessions with the key for enrolment in April and kicks off in
it serves. business divisions, innovation leaders July.
homegrown brand of insect protein. from Sunway Medical Centre,
While Sun SEA Capital focuses “Insect and cricket protein offers a Sunway University, Sunway Property, “We work closely with the founders
primarily on start-ups in the fintech, to Sun SEA Capital and Sunway and help set clear milestones as we are
superior form of nutrition – three FutureX Farm provided us guidance, not looking for short-term investments
4 times more protein than beef, seven