Center of Garage Malaysia Launches “Garage Unplugged” to Strengthen Deep Tech Ecosystem CollaborationCenter of Garage Malaysia Launches “Garage Unplugged” to Strengthen Deep Tech Ecosystem Collaboration
Cyberjaya, Malaysia (April 8, 2026) - The inaugural Garage Unplugged: The Intro (Raya Edition), organized by Center of Garage Malaysia (COGMY), an initiative by Leave a Nest Group, was successfully held on 8 April 2026 at COGMY, Cyberjaya. Designed as a new platform for open and candid engagement, the session introduced a refreshing format that moves beyond conventional seminars, creating space for honest conversations and meaningful connections within the startup and innovation ecosystem.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Ahmad Firdaus Ezani, Managing Director of ACeT Innovates Sdn. Bhd., who introduced the vision of COGMY as a collaborative platform for deep tech startups, industry players, academia, and investors. He highlighted the role of COGMY in supporting startups through ecosystem building, cross-border collaboration, and the integration of Japanese “Monodzukuri” with Malaysia’s growing innovation landscape.
The first insight session featured Mr. Abdul Hakim Sahidi of Leave a Nest Malaysia, who emphasized the importance of leveraging the right networks and ecosystem to accelerate startup growth. He shared perspectives on how strong connections between stakeholders can significantly enhance opportunities for collaboration and long-term scalability.
This was followed by Dr. Yuko Ueno, Director of 144 Ventures, who provided insights into venture support and investment strategies. She highlighted the importance of engaging startups from the earliest stages, including pre-seed, and supporting founders throughout their growth journey to ensure sustainable development and commercialization.
Representing industry-driven innovation, Dr. Shian Lee, Founder of Alphaswift Industries Sdn. Bhd., shared his experience as one of the earliest local members of COGMY. His session reflected how participation in the ecosystem enables companies to bridge research, manufacturing, and commercialization within Malaysia.
Mr. Chiam Boon Lee, Director of Sustainable Food Asia Sdn. Bhd., presented the company’s journey as one of the earliest Japanese startups operating within COGMY. He shared insights into sustainable food innovation and highlighted how establishing a local presence in Malaysia has enabled stronger regional collaboration and market expansion.
A key highlight of the event was the “Unplug Converse” session, where all speakers engaged in an open and interactive discussion with participants. The session encouraged candid sharing, diverse perspectives, and active audience engagement, reflecting the core objective of Garage Unplugged as a platform for real conversations.
The event concluded with a COGMY walkthrough and Garage Hangout networking session, where participants had the opportunity to explore the facility, engage directly with ecosystem players, and discuss potential collaborations. The session generated strong interest among participating companies in leveraging the COGMY network, further strengthening its role as an emerging hub for deep tech innovation and collaboration.
Garage Unplugged marks the beginning of a new initiative by COGMY aimed at fostering a more open, engaging, and collaborative ecosystem. Through this platform, COGMY continues to strengthen its mission to connect startups, corporates, academia, and investors, while supporting the development and commercialization of deep technologies in Malaysia and across the region.
About Center of Garage Malaysia (COGMY)
Center of Garage Malaysia is the first overseas Center of Garage established by Leave a Nest Group. Located in Cyberjaya, COGMY serves as a collaborative platform supporting deep tech startups through ecosystem building, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, connecting Malaysia with global innovation networks.
Cyberjaya, Malaysia (April 8, 2026) - The inaugural Garage Unplugged: The Intro (Raya Edition), organized by Center of Garage Malaysia (COGMY), an initiative by Leave a Nest Group, was successfully held on 8 April 2026 at COGMY, Cyberjaya. Designed as a new platform for open and candid engagement, the session introduced a refreshing format that moves beyond conventional seminars, creating space for honest conversations and meaningful connections within the startup and innovation ecosystem.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Ahmad Firdaus Ezani, Managing Director of ACeT Innovates Sdn. Bhd., who introduced the vision of COGMY as a collaborative platform for deep tech startups, industry players, academia, and investors. He highlighted the role of COGMY in supporting startups through ecosystem building, cross-border collaboration, and the integration of Japanese “Monodzukuri” with Malaysia’s growing innovation landscape.
The first insight session featured Mr. Abdul Hakim Sahidi of Leave a Nest Malaysia, who emphasized the importance of leveraging the right networks and ecosystem to accelerate startup growth. He shared perspectives on how strong connections between stakeholders can significantly enhance opportunities for collaboration and long-term scalability.
This was followed by Dr. Yuko Ueno, Director of 144 Ventures, who provided insights into venture support and investment strategies. She highlighted the importance of engaging startups from the earliest stages, including pre-seed, and supporting founders throughout their growth journey to ensure sustainable development and commercialization.
Representing industry-driven innovation, Dr. Shian Lee, Founder of Alphaswift Industries Sdn. Bhd., shared his experience as one of the earliest local members of COGMY. His session reflected how participation in the ecosystem enables companies to bridge research, manufacturing, and commercialization within Malaysia.
Mr. Chiam Boon Lee, Director of Sustainable Food Asia Sdn. Bhd., presented the company’s journey as one of the earliest Japanese startups operating within COGMY. He shared insights into sustainable food innovation and highlighted how establishing a local presence in Malaysia has enabled stronger regional collaboration and market expansion.
A key highlight of the event was the “Unplug Converse” session, where all speakers engaged in an open and interactive discussion with participants. The session encouraged candid sharing, diverse perspectives, and active audience engagement, reflecting the core objective of Garage Unplugged as a platform for real conversations.
The event concluded with a COGMY walkthrough and Garage Hangout networking session, where participants had the opportunity to explore the facility, engage directly with ecosystem players, and discuss potential collaborations. The session generated strong interest among participating companies in leveraging the COGMY network, further strengthening its role as an emerging hub for deep tech innovation and collaboration.
Garage Unplugged marks the beginning of a new initiative by COGMY aimed at fostering a more open, engaging, and collaborative ecosystem. Through this platform, COGMY continues to strengthen its mission to connect startups, corporates, academia, and investors, while supporting the development and commercialization of deep technologies in Malaysia and across the region.
About Center of Garage Malaysia (COGMY)
Center of Garage Malaysia is the first overseas Center of Garage established by Leave a Nest Group. Located in Cyberjaya, COGMY serves as a collaborative platform supporting deep tech startups through ecosystem building, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, connecting Malaysia with global innovation networks.