The Startup Ecosystem of Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has 203 startups in our sample database which represents about 76% of Malaysia’s sampled startups. Kuala Lumpur is the highest-ranked startup ecosystem in Malaysia.

CITY RANKING

In 2023, the startup scene of Kuala Lumpur shows much promise after advancing in the Global Ecosystem Index by 1 spot.

National Ranking

1st
0
In Malaysia

Regional Ranking

4th
-
1
In South East Asia

Global Ranking

87th
+
1
Worldwide
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ECOSYSTEM

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Kuala Lumpur

Our startup ecosystem map for Kuala Lumpur includes a sample of 203 tech companies. We have identified as unicorn 1 startup that have passed the USD 1 billion valuations. Contributing to the vitality of this startup ecosystem are the 1 pantheon member entity. Get the Pro account for unrestricted insights on this ecosystem.

Global Rank

Kuala Lumpur is ranked within the top 100 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Kuala Lumpur’s startups excel particularly in Education where it ranks 27 and in Ecommerce & Retail, and Social & Leisure. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in Malaysia - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal ScoreQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
87th
+
1
8.095
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
329th
+
12
1.144
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
594th
+
404
0.360
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Kuala Lumpur
TNG Digital startup icon
TNG Digital
iFlix startup icon
iFlix
LottieFiles startup icon
LottieFiles

Startups

Successful Education startups in Kuala Lumpur
Pandai startup icon
Pandai
ReSkills startup icon
ReSkills
Me.reka startup icon
Me.reka

Startups

Startups Ranking by Industry

Education icon
Education
#27 worldwide

On our map, you can explore a total of 40 startups for Education.

Ecommerce & Retail icon
Ecommerce & Retail
#41 worldwide

The Ecommerce & Retail industry in Kuala Lumpur is ranked 41 globally. There are 21 startups for Ecommerce & Retail on our sample database and map.

Social & Leisure icon
Social & Leisure
#62 worldwide

Social & Leisure is ranked 62nd in the world. Our database contains 17 startups for this industry.

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Kuala Lumpur's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Kuala Lumpur there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Education, Ecommerce & Retail, Social & Leisure. These three industries represent about 38% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Kuala Lumpur.

1st

National Rank

4th

Regional Rank

Overview

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's 1st best startup ecosystem and is ranked 4th in South East Asia. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Kuala Lumpur is ranked 87th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including TNG Digital and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as Mindvalley and Mercu 2.

ECOSYSTEM
Startup Infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur
With a large variety of initiatives, Kuala Lumpur's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in South East Asia. Kuala Lumpur offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. Below is a list of Kuala Lumpur's most prominent support initiatives:

Accelerators

NEXEA Venture Capital & Angel Investors startup icon

NEXEA Venture Capital & Angel Investors

Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre - MaGIC startup icon

Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre - MaGIC

GameFounders startup icon

GameFounders

Coworking Spaces

Mercu 2 startup icon

Mercu 2

Equatorial Plaza startup icon

Equatorial Plaza

Regus - Kuala Lumpur Sentral, CIMB startup icon

Regus - Kuala Lumpur Sentral, CIMB

Featured Ecosystem Portals

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