S P Setia Berhad has partnered with Antler Ibex to launch a regional innovation challenge aimed at reshaping homeownership and construction across Southeast Asia. Known as the Setia AI & PropTech Innovation Challenge, the initiative supports Malaysia’s Bengkel Inovasi GLC (BIG) Programme and the government’s MADANI agenda.
The challenge seeks to identify startups with promising artificial intelligence and property technology solutions that can help improve access to housing and raise construction standards. Applications are open until 31 August 2025 through the F6S platform.
Supporting inclusive housing through innovation
The Setia AI & PropTech Innovation Challenge reflects the group’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. It focuses on two key objectives under the BIG and MADANI programmes: enabling equitable homeownership and enhancing the quality of housing construction.
Setia aims to use AI to simplify the homebuying process and improve access for Malaysians from all walks of life. “Setia believes that the future of homeownership and construction is intrinsically linked to the transformative power of AI and technology,” said Datuk Choong Kai Wai, President and CEO of Setia. He added that the challenge is part of Setia’s broader vision to deliver high-quality homes and create more inclusive communities.
Startups selected through the programme will work closely with Setia, receiving mentorship, access to resources, and potential investment to scale their solutions. These collaborations are expected to lead to meaningful real-world outcomes in property development.
Global reach and strategic collaboration
The initiative is not limited to Malaysian startups. It is open to all startups and scaleups worldwide that can offer AI-powered or tech-enabled solutions relevant to real estate.
Deepak Jayaraman, Antler Partner and Global Head of Ibex, said, “S P Setia is demonstrating forward, pragmatic leadership, working directly with startups on real challenges that matter to the industry. Their approach to innovation is the kind of ambition Ibex exists to support; real problems, real collaboration, and measurable outcomes.”
Antler Ibex, the corporate innovation arm of global early-stage investor Antler, helps established companies tap into the US$3.5 trillion global venture economy. The partnership with Setia aims to accelerate the development of scalable housing solutions by connecting real estate challenges with technology startups ready to address them.
A long-term vision for sustainable construction
Another core focus of the challenge is construction quality. Under the BIG agenda, Setia intends to integrate AI into its construction processes to raise safety, durability, and sustainability standards. By embedding technology into every stage of the development process, Setia hopes to exceed the expectations of future homeowners and set new industry benchmarks.
Setia, one of Malaysia’s leading listed property developers, currently has 42 ongoing projects across the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, Penang, Sabah, and abroad. Its international presence spans Vietnam, Singapore, China, Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. As of 31 March 2025, the group’s land bank is valued at RM120.1 billion, with RM3.8 billion in unbilled sales.
