Zoho Corporation, an India-based technology company, has formed a strategic partnership with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, a leading enabler of early-stage startups, to strengthen Malaysia’s startup ecosystem. Under the agreement, Zoho will integrate its Zoho for Startups program into Cradle’s MYStartup Single Window platform—a comprehensive hub designed to support founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
Malaysia becomes the second ASEAN nation to benefit from this program, which reflects Zoho’s global mission to provide startups with the resources they need to launch and grow.
Under the partnership, Zoho will allocate over RM44 million in Zoho Wallet credits, enabling 4,400 Malaysian startups to access its full suite of business applications. Each startup will receive one year of credits, allowing them to explore and adopt the tools that best fit their operational and growth needs.
Launched in 2017, the Zoho for Startups program has supported over 18,000 startups worldwide through collaborations with more than 200 incubators, accelerators, and organizations that enable startups.
In Malaysia, this opportunity will be available to startups within Cradle’s extensive ecosystem, spanning early-stage companies to those at the Series B funding level. The program will be promoted through multiple channels, including WhatsApp groups, email, events, and social media, to ensure wide visibility and engagement.
“At Cradle, we believe startups thrive when they have the right tools and are part of the right ecosystem,” said Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group Chief Executive Officer of Cradle.
“Our partnership with Zoho is designed to make this happen, providing founders with easy access to world-class software solutions that can fuel their next big leap,” said Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle.
“Through the MYStartup Single Window platform, we’re not just connecting startups to the right tools and resources—we’re unlocking global opportunities and helping them build confidently,” he added.
Kuppulakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head of Zoho for Startups, explained that the program operates like a “pull model,” responding to the proactive nature of the startup ecosystem, while aligning with Zoho’s growth strategy in the region.
“Malaysia is steadily enhancing its innovation landscape, bolstered by government support, budgets, and new policies,” said Gibu Mathew, Vice President and General Manager of Zoho Asia Pacific (APAC).
“With our experience running the Zoho for Startups program in over 10 locations globally, including India, we are well-positioned to make this collaboration one of the most impactful for Malaysia,” he added.
Mathew also mentioned that, beyond providing wallet credits, Zoho is exploring opportunities to support other government-led startup initiatives, potentially participating as an expert or speaker at relevant cohort events.
“This involvement underscores Zoho’s continued commitment to nurturing a sustainable startup ecosystem in Malaysia and providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive,” he added.
According to the statement, this partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Malaysia’s startup landscape, driving innovation, and supporting the growth of the next generation of successful tech companies in the country.
Malaysian startups have secured over $22.8 million in investment under the MYStart initiative.
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