The second series of Cradle Circle, hosted by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), witnessed a vibrant convergence of more than 180 startups, investors, and venture capitalists. This annual event was meticulously designed to serve as a dynamic platform for budding founders to pitch their ideas, while also acting as a nexus for potential investors and key stakeholders within the startup sphere to forge connections and exchange invaluable insights.
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, the Acting Group CEO of Cradle, underlined the event’s overarching goal, emphasizing its dual role in facilitating pitching sessions and cultivating a collaborative atmosphere that fosters networking and synergy among diverse stakeholders. Beyond the stage of pitching, Cradle Circle also extends its nurturing embrace to empower startups in presenting their innovative business solutions. The event additionally availed startups the invaluable opportunity to glean wisdom from seasoned industry experts.
The inaugural session, spearheaded by Cradle’s Legal team, bore the title “From Legal Limbo to Investor Bingo: Cracking the Code for Startup Success.” It delved into the intricate challenges that startups grapple with in areas spanning funding, regulatory compliance, and investor engagement. The session not only shed light on these hurdles but also provided a comprehensive roadmap to navigate these complexities and optimize fundraising endeavours. The second session, aptly named ‘Failures among Startups’, witnessed the participation of startup founders who candidly shared their personal entrepreneurial journeys, encompassing experiences and obstacles overcome.
“Cradle Circle epitomizes an exceptional conduit for startups to unveil their products within a collaborative and hospitable ambiance, thereby nurturing growth and nurturing nascent concepts,” elaborated Norman. “We anticipate this event to wield the potency of a potent growth catalyst, connecting businesses with the contacts and recommendations imperative for thriving in today’s fiercely competitive business arena.”
Juliana Jan, the Senior Vice President of Grant and Investment at Cradle, expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support and engagement witnessed during the second iteration of Cradle Circle. This year’s event served as a catalytic force for fostering more profound collaborations across diverse stakeholders within the startup ecosystem—a mission resonating with Cradle’s core objective of fostering robust relationships and dismantling obstacles that frequently beset startups.
“We take immense delight in witnessing the tangible positive influence that this event has imprinted on participating entrepreneurs. By facilitating fundraising pitches alongside access to legal and HR counsel, we aim to fortify the vibrant startup community further. Anticipating the next round of Cradle Circle, we eagerly look forward to enriching this experience with more empowering initiatives,” Juliana affirmed.
Participating in the pitching session were ten dynamic startups: Heytech Sdn Bhd, ACS Pentas (Asia) Sdn Bhd, ODESI ECOB Sdn Bhd, Nonivasi Care Sdn Bhd, Pandai Education Sdn Bhd, Valuing IP Sdn Bhd, BlueDuck Sdn Bhd, Life Origin Sdn Bhd, CoKeeps Sdn Bhd, and SpaceIn Sdn Bhd.
Buoyed by the triumph of the second edition, Cradle pledges to steadfastly continue its commitment to steering the next generation of startups onto the path of success. With a holistic approach, Cradle remains dedicated to offering indispensable guidance and mentorship, nurturing the growth and resilience of these aspiring ventures.
For more insights into Cradle and its avenue for funding, startups and ecosystem participants are encouraged to visit www.cradle.com.my