KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian start-ups now can look forward to presenting their ideas directly to policymakers in Parliament, as mooted by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil during KL Startup Summit (KLSS) 2024 on July 17.

KLSS said Fahmi, in his opening remarks, had proposed the idea of having Parliament host the next meetup of start-up and small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs.

It said the initiative aims to garner support and buy-in from MPs, while emphasising the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at the highest levels.

“The organisers have committed to working closely with Fahmi’s ministry to design a programme that effectively connects early-stage entrepreneurs with policymakers,” KLSS said in a statement, according to Bernama.

KLSS 2024 director Inbaraj Suppiah said the summit aimed to be the hub for start-ups and entrepreneurs, providing direct access and connecting Malaysian startups with policymakers by hosting “Demo Days” in Parliament.

The fourth edition of KLSS, organised by the start-up and SME community, electrified the Asia School of Business with over 300 attendees, including early-stage entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem builders and various corporate and government representatives.

It featured panel discussions, masterclass workshops and pitching sessions, immersing participants in learning from industry leaders, dynamic networking, and building meaningful connections to foster innovation and growth.

“Shark Tank” is a popular show on which investors (or sharks) hear pitches from business owners who want funding from them.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/09/parliament-to-have-its-own-shark-tank-to-foster-entrepreneurship