Malacca is embracing the start-up scene and is one of Malaysia’s most popular cities for those seeking to launch new business opportunities. The city has seen a rush of demand from companies in diverse specialties including engineering, design, marketing, creatives, and the tech industry. And since Malacca is firmly on the map via its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage city, it’s an ultra-attractive home for those craving a low-cost lifestyle. Combined with a quality way of life, Malacca offers a cultural oasis removed from the hustle and bustle of larger city centers, such as Kuala Lumpur.
The entrepreneurial scene is backed by various groups, with one of the largest being Startup Melaka (https://startupmelaka.com/). Operated by the local community, the group prioritizes the development of event, promotions, business networking and matching services to help new companies flourish. The group also provides various resources, opportunity postings and other assistance for those looking to enter the Malacca market.
Infrastructure in Malacca is also ideal for companies looking to invest in the region. Several universities exist within the city, including a handful of technological universities. Like other parts of Malaysia, multiple spoken and written language capabilities exist. With tourism on the rise, Malacca has gained the attention of locals, hungry to diversify job opportunities. Young talent get paid and start-ups get to grow their workforce creating a win-win situation for all.
The city itself has maintained an incredibly supportive stance for new organizations. Not only was the state first of its kind, in Malaysia, to openly embrace green technology, it was also the first to deploy open-source technology directly from the government. Also, mid-flight is a smart city initiative between the IT arm of the Malacca state government and Huawei. This initiative has attracted additional investment into the tech sector and put Malacca firmly on the map as an up and coming, viable destination for investment.
