7 Upcoming, Major Events In 2020 Every M’sian Entrepreneur Should Be Going

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian superpower when it comes to building successful startups, so the number of relevant events we host each year should come as no surprise.

From major entrepreneurial conferences to global summits, you can take this (non-exhaustive) list as your starter guide to events that every local entrepreneur should be attending in 2020.

1. DrinkEntrepreneurs x ASEAN Rice Bowl StartUp Awards

DrinkEntrepreneurs adopts a fresh outlook on networking by providing startup players with a chance to mingle in a more casual setting.

DrinkEntrepreneurs was initially launched in Paris, but has since gone global by establishing a presence in cities like Shanghai, London, Tokyo, and more recently KL as well.

There are no specific speakers, itineraries or presentations (it is hosted in a bar after all); they're replaced with an environment where you're free to discuss, chat, and have a drink with other founders in attendance.

DrinkEntrepreneurs 2020 has joined hands with ASEAN Rice Bowl StartUp Awards this year, and also doubles as a networking afterparty for those who have attended the awards in Sasana Kijang.

The award show is already ongoing at the time of writing, but if you're keen on going for DrinkEntrepreneurs, you can still register here.

Where: Marini's on 57, 57 Menara 3 Petronas Persiaran, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.

When: January 16 to January 17, 2020.

How Much: Tickets depend on availability but can range up to RM52.50 per entry.

2. NEXT4IR Conference 2020

NEXT4IR Conference is held to understand how leaders across Malaysian SMEs move forward with adapting digital solutions in accordance with the country's development.

NEXT4IR tailors this entire conference exclusively for SMEs in the country, exposing them to real-life stories and valuable insights as provided by their keynote speakers.

This year's lineup includes Alan Cheah, CEO of GoCar, Chen Chow Yeoh, Co-Founder of Fave Group and more.

You can register for the NEXT4IR Conference on their Eventbrite page.

Where: Connexion Conference & Event Centre – CCEC, 7, Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur, 59200.

When: March 11, 2020.

How Much: Tickets range anywhere from RM650 to RM950.

3. World Blockchain Summit

The World Blockchain Summit is a renowned gathering of over 400 CEOs and C-Level Executives, CIOs, CTOs, investors, and international experts looking to expand their influence and knowledge in the blockchain industry.

The
itinerary for this includes speeches from 40+ decision-makers around APAC, product
exhibitions, pitching competitions, case presentations and panel discussions.

The World Blockchain Summit is an opportunity for startup founders and tech leaders to explore the opportunity to network with investors, showcase inventions, and gain overall brand exposure.

You can register on their Eventbrite page here.

Where: Kuala Lumpur (exact location TBA).

When: March 23 to March 24, 2020.

How Much: Ticket pricing starts anywhere from $US295 (RM1,202) to US$395 (RM1,610).

4. Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)

MIHAS is a meeting point for individuals involved in distributing, supplying, manufacturing or promoting Halal products and services.

MIHAS is a unique take on a Halal showcase, adopting a trade concept view that provides a platform to over 1.5 million Halal goods and services across 8 separate countries.

Everyone from Halal businesses, buyers, certifiers, academia and media would benefit from the MIHAS event. As of right now, their itinerary includes around 150 expert talks on various topics, extensive products and services lineup as well as networking opportunities with possible suppliers, etc.

You can register your interest on the official MIHAS website, where you can sign up as an exhibitor (and rent a booth) or as a trade visitor, or you can casually attend for free on Public Day.

Where: Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), 8, Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

When: (Trading Days) April 1 to April 4, 2020, (Public Day) April 4, 2020.

How Much: Free for the public on April 4, 2020 (Public Day).

5. PETC Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (13 August)

The Private Equity Tech Conference (PETC) Malaysia is a one-day event held to explore the general venture capital and private equity scene in the country.

PETC Malaysia estimates an attendance list of over 200+ individuals with both investors and local startups being the majority of individuals who will benefit from the event.

Its portfolio over the years is known for its ability to connect international and local investors to startup players in Malaysia, which in turn has raised funds all over the APAC region.

The location of this 2020 PETC Malaysia has yet to be confirmed, but you can already register on Eventbrite.

Where: Kuala Lumpur (exact location TBC).

When: August 13, 2020.

How Much: Tickets range anywhere from US$299 (RM1,219) to US$999 (RM4,073) depending on the nature of the pass you purchase.

6. BIGIT 2020 ‘The 8th Annual Data Science Show'

BIGIT 2020 is devoted to highlighting and discussing the concerns around human-machine convergence, the introduction of 5G, big data, artificial intelligence, and other concerns surrounding fresh tech in Malaysia.

Those who would benefit from attending a BIGIT show would be individuals who are CTOs, data engineers and scientists, website developers or those who depend heavily on IT solutions.

The theme of this year's BIGIT show will be ‘Malaysia AI Adoption Blueprint'. This edition will be focused around discussions concerning big data analytics, AI and how businesses need to rapidly adapt to keep up in such a disruptive ecosystem.

You can register for BIGIT 2020 on their Eventbrite page.

Where: 2, Jalan Stesen Sentral, 50470, Kuala Lumpur.

When: September 22 to September 23, 2020.

How Much: Ticket pricing starts from RM714 and can go up to RM2,600.

7. Wild Digital Southeast Asia

Wild Digital brings together new and senior key players in the business of creating the disruptive, revolutionary companies of today.

It's a great playground for investors, entrepreneurs, business-geeks and leaders from all walks of life to be exposed to new digital strategies and ideas, whilst also providing you with networking opportunities with professionals in your industry.

At the moment of writing, Wild Digital hasn't released their list of speakers for 2020 (although they have featured speakers like Grab's CEO Anthony Tan, AirAsia's CEO Tony Fernandes, and Catcha Group's CEO Patrick Grove in the past), but you can already start pre-registration here.

Where: Within Malaysia (exact location TBA).

When: Unkown, to be confirmed.

How Much: Based on previous WD events, tickets can range from US$1,500 (RM6,113) to US$2,000 (RM8,151).