UM Innovations Sdn. Bhd. (UMI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universiti Malaya (UM), today signed a Partnership Agreement with Pitch Platforms Sdn. Bhd. (pitchIN) to support the journey of UMI’s startup companies, particularly those stemming from research by UM lecturers and students. 

In a joint media statement released today, this collaboration enables startup companies to raise funds through the pitchIN platform while receiving support and guidance throughout their fundraising journey. 

Saiful Khairi Zainuddin, COO of UMI, said “UMI’s primary objective is to commercialize R&D and innovation output of UM through the establishment of spin off companies and incubatees within the UM ecosystem. UMI’s role as a Venture Builder is to identify and develop business and investment opportunities to enable UM’s commercial venture’s growth and sustainability and this Partnership with pitchIN is an example of such opportunity.”

To harness the wealth of innovations and intellectual assets being generated, UMI is uniquely positioned to support startups by providing them with valuable opportunities. Through this partnership agreement with pitchIN, UMI can now not only secure funding but also engage the public in supporting these ventures through crowdfunding. This partnership opens new avenues for UMI spinoffs to thrive and fosters a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

pitchIN is a Digital Fundraising and Investment Hub that is registered as a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) with the Securities Commission Malaysia to offer both an Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) and Token Crowdfunding (TCF) platform. With over 182 successful ECF and TCF campaigns under their belt and more than RM348 mil raised, pitchIN continues to reach new milestones and set records through their platform. 

Sam Shafie, CEO of pitchIN, said, "We are pleased to partner with UMI to support the development of startups arising from its research. We see this collaboration expanding access to alternative financing for UMI startups and aiding in the commercialisation of existing intellectual assets." 

UMI’s 1st spinoff that will be raising funds on pitchIN will be Xcess Pressure. The founder, Dr Iswadi Jauhari, developed the Super Butterfly hydropower system that harnesses the excess water pressure in pipes to generate clean electricity. They have engaged with water operators from most states in Malaysia, their most prominent being Air Selangor, having just finished a pilot project that succeeded; as well as Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), custodian of the national water infrastructure of Malaysia. 

Lastly, this agreement also introduces an initiative to assist UMI startup companies, namely the Fundraising Accelerator (FA), an entrepreneurship program launched by pitchIN Academy. This initiative will provide the necessary guidance on the knowledge and skills required for founders to successfully raise funds for their businesses.

Present were Datuk Datuk Md Zubir Ansori bin Yahaya, Chairman of UMI, YYM Raja Ridzwa bin Raja Abdul Aziz, Director of UM Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (UMH), En.Saiful Khairi Zainuddin, COO of UMI, Sam Shafie, CEO and Co-founder of pitchIN, Xelia Tong, COO of pitchIN and Nicholas Chong, Vice President (Commercial and Products) of pitchIN. 

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