Zoho Corporation has formed a strategic partnership with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), the Malaysian government agency tasked with supporting early-stage startups. Announced on 23 April at the MYStartup NXT micro-conference in Cyberjaya, the partnership was officiated in the presence of YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
The collaboration will see Zoho roll out its Zoho for Startups programme through Cradle’s MYStartup Single Window platform, offering Malaysian entrepreneurs access to digital tools to support their growth. This makes Malaysia the second ASEAN country to benefit from the initiative. The programme supports Zoho’s global mission to equip startups with resources that help them launch and scale with confidence.
Programme to provide tools for growth and scale
As part of the agreement, Zoho has allocated more than RM44 million (approximately US$9.2 million) in Zoho Wallet credits, enabling 4,400 Malaysian startups to access its suite of cloud-based business applications. Each startup will receive credits valid for one year, which can be used to trial and adopt tools that match their business needs. The offering spans widely-used solutions such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Workplace, Zoho Books, Zoho Creator, Zoho Desk and Zoho One.
Startups from Cradle’s network—including those at early stages through to Series B funding—are eligible to apply through the MYStartup Single Window platform (www.mystartup.gov.my). Outreach will be conducted through WhatsApp, emails, live events and social media channels to drive awareness and encourage participation.
Cradle’s Group CEO, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, described the partnership as a step toward empowering startups with global-standard tools. “At Cradle, we believe startups grow faster when they’re equipped with the right tools and surrounded by the right ecosystem. Our collaboration with Zoho is all about making that happen, giving founders easy access to world-class software solutions that can power their next big leap,” he said. “Through the MYStartup Single Window platform, we are not just connecting startups to the right tools and resources—we are opening doors to global opportunities and helping them build with confidence.”
Supporting national innovation efforts
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem. Since launching the Zoho for Startups programme in 2017, the company has engaged with more than 18,000 startups globally, working with over 200 incubators and startup enablers. The Malaysian programme aims to be among the most impactful to date.
Kuppulakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head of Zoho for Startups, said, “The Zoho for Startups programme operates like any ‘pull model’, responding to the startup ecosystem’s proactiveness, also keeping in mind Zoho’s growth strategy for the region. Malaysia is steadily focusing on its innovation landscape, strengthened by the support and budget from the government and the new policies in place. With the collective experience we have of running the Zoho for Startups programme in more than 10 locations across the world, including India, we are poised to make this collaboration as one of the most impactful ones for Malaysia.”
Gibu Mathew, Vice President and General Manager of Zoho APAC, added that Malaysia’s startup community is primed for this initiative. “Malaysia’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem presents an exciting opportunity for us to engage with a dynamic, tech-savvy community. With strong government support and innovative founders driving growth, now is the perfect time to launch Zoho for Startups.”
Zoho is also exploring further opportunities to support government-led programmes by contributing expertise at cohort events and startup-related initiatives. These efforts reinforce the company’s long-term commitment to building a sustainable and self-sufficient startup ecosystem in Malaysia.
