The BIG Programme​ : Corporate Innovation Forum

The BIG Programme marks the next leap in Malaysia’s innovation journey, expanding beyond Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) to now include Public-Listed Companies (PLCs) listed on Bursa’s Main Market with annual revenue above RM500 million over the past three years, as well as MoF Inc. companies.

The BIG Programme brought together government leaders, GLC executives, and corporate leaders to celebrate innovation. The event was attended by YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, and Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, alongside other prominent corporate leaders.

A key highlight is The Big Reveal, unveiling the new edition of The BIG Programme, now expanded to include GLCs, PLCs, and MoF Inc. companies in Malaysia’s innovation journey. Attendees will also experience the Innovation Showcase, featuring real progress from eight current GLC projects, along with powerful networking opportunities with senior corporate leaders and government decision-makers.

Info: YBrs En. Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, GCEO, Cradle

Info: YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation

Info: YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II, MOF

Info: AI for a Future-Ready Malaysia – Powering Corporate Innovation and National Progress :

This theme bridges the national aspirations of Malaysia with the transformative potential of AI in the corporate sector. Key Talking Points Include:​

How OpenAI’s technologies can empower corporate innovation in Malaysia’s key industries: finance, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and energy.​

The role of AI in public-private collaboration, especially in areas like smart cities, digital government services, and AI-driven policy design.​

Opportunities for OpenAI to contribute to talent development, AI literacy, and research partnerships with Malaysian universities and innovation hubs.

Info: Tech Frontiers & National Futures: Aligning Innovation, Government Policies, and Global Competitiveness :

The race for technological leadership is shaping the destiny of nations, but can innovation thrive without the right policy frameworks? This panel explores the high-stakes intersection of cutting-edge tech, government strategy, and global competitiveness. How do countries balance regulation with agility? Can public-private collaboration accelerate breakthroughs without stifling creativity? Join us as we debate whether national innovation agendas are keeping pace or falling dangerously behind.

Info: Driving Innovation with Purpose: Strategy, Risks, Goals, & Leadership Buy In :

Innovation without purpose is just noise. How do organizations move beyond buzzwords to craft strategies that truly matter? This panel dives into the hard questions: How do you balance ambition with risk? Set goals that inspire yet deliver? And most importantly, secure leadership buy-in when the stakes and resistance are high? Expect candid insights on aligning innovation with purpose, navigating internal politics, and turning bold ideas into measurable impact.​

Info: Corporate-Startup Partnership - Can it Really Work? :

Big corporations crave agility, startups need scale, on paper, it’s a perfect match. Unfortunately, these partnerships often collapse under the weight of mismatched expectations, cultural clashes, and slow decision-making. Can corporates truly embrace startup speed without suffocating innovation? Or are these collaborations doomed to be more PR than progress? This panel will challenge assumptions, share hard truths, and uncover what it really takes to make these partnerships succeed or why they fail.​

Info: New Money, Old Players: How Corporates Can Access Innovation Capital :

This topic explores the evolving landscape of corporate innovation financing, where traditional business giants must adapt to new funding models to stay competitive. As innovation cycles accelerate, larger corporations face the challenge of securing agile, risk-tolerant capital beyond conventional budgets. This discussion will highlight strategies such as leveraging venture capital partnerships, corporate venture arms, co-investment platforms, and blended finance mechanisms to unlock resources for transformative projects. It will also examine how corporates can align governance, risk appetite, and investor expectations to attract innovation capital while maintaining long-term stability.​

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Host or Publisher Cradle Fund