KL20
@ Kuala Lumpur 2026

Opening of KL20@Kuala Lumpur 2026

From Chips to Champions — Scaling Malaysia’s Deep-Tech Pipeline

Malaysia has built strong foundations in the semiconductor industry, and the next opportunity is to support more homegrown IC design and deep-tech companies to commercialise, attract capital and scale. This session will explore what it takes to turn promising Malaysian deep-tech companies into global champions—from the perspectives of founders, investors and ecosystem leaders. It will examine how access to capital, corporate partnerships, customers, talent and the right scale-up environment can help homegrown companies commercialise and grow.

Innovation Showcase

Explore Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem across connected showcase areas | Emerging Malaysian Startups - Meet founders and discover the companies they are building | Innovation Pavilions - Explore semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, AI, healthcare, social innovation and other initiatives | Live Tech Demos - See products and technologies in action, with demonstrations on the mini stage.

Lean In — Web3: AI and Malaysia’s Global Tech Founders

As digital assets, blockchain infrastructure and AI mature globally, Malaysian founders and investors are increasingly building products, protocols and platforms that serve international markets. This session will bring together Malaysian Web3, AI and emerging technology leaders across different stages of the ecosystem to discuss how homegrown talent can compete globally, what it takes to build from Malaysia for the world, and how the ecosystem can better support globally ambitious founders in frontier technology sectors.

Expanding from Malaysia to the World

As more Malaysian companies look beyond the domestic market, founders face a new set of challenges in building across borders — from adapting products and operating models, to navigating customer behaviour, talent, partnerships and market entry risks. This session will feature Malaysian founders who have scaled beyond Malaysia, sharing the pitfalls, pivots and breakthroughs of building regional and global businesses from homegrown foundations.

From IP to AI — Building Malaysia’s Next Compute Ecosystem

Special Keynote: From IP to AI — Building Malaysia’s Next Compute Ecosystem As AI becomes embedded across devices, factories, infrastructure and everyday products, countries that can connect semiconductor IP, software, talent and ecosystem partnerships will be better positioned to capture the next wave of value. This special keynote will offer a global perspective on how compute platforms are shaping the future of AI and intelligent systems, and what Malaysia can do to build deeper IC design, AI compute and system-level capabilities.

From Action Plan to Activation

Conversation-style opening with Minister of Economy and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation on what KL20 must deliver this year across capital, talent, infrastructure, market access and ecosystem coordination

Mission Possible

A discussion on how national initiatives in the Orange Economy, R&D&C&I), and Digital Economy can connect and complement one another to drive innovation, commercialisation and inclusive economic growth. The session explores how cross-sector collaboration can turn ideas, technology and creativity into scalable businesses and new opportunities for Malaysia.

Venture Capital in a Fragmented World

As global markets become more fragmented, venture capital is being reshaped by shifting supply chains, geopolitical uncertainty and changing capital flows. This session will bring together leading VC voices to discuss how investors are adapting their investment theses, capital allocation strategies and founder support models — and how Malaysia can position itself as a trusted, connected and neutral platform for founders, fund managers and strategic capital.

Capital Flows 2026 — LPs & Sovereigns on the Next Wave of Capital

As Southeast Asia continues to attract greater attention from institutional, sovereign-linked and strategic capital, this session will explore how investors are sizing up the region, allocating across emerging markets and identifying the fund managers and platforms best positioned to capture the next wave of growth. The discussion will also consider what it takes for Malaysian fund managers and innovation platforms to win institutional capital, deepen investor confidence and strengthen Malaysia’s position in the regional capital ecosystem.

Mobilising Capital for Malaysia’s Innovation Economy

This closing fireside will anchor KL20 @ KL’s broader discussion on startups, innovation and scale-up pathways by focusing on the role of capital in building Malaysia’s next generation of high-growth companies. The conversation will explore how Malaysia can better mobilise institutional capital, GLICs, fund managers and strategic partners to support startups and innovation-led companies across different stages of growth. It will also provide an opportunity to position initiatives Innovation Showcase such as GEAR-uP within a broader whole-of-Malaysia approach — ensuring that domestic capital is deployed in a catalytic, disciplined and coordinated way to build stronger companies, deeper capabilities and future Malaysian champions.