Promoting SCP and Circular Transition in ASEAN countries
ECOTHON in Malaysia 2025

From May to October 2025, Ecothon in Malaysia 2025 was organised to support start-ups in developing sustainable and circular business models while strengthening their engagement with regional policy and innovation networks. The programme was co-organised by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), co-hosted by the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MEDC) of Malaysia, and implemented by the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR).

Ecothon Malaysia 2025 began with a competitive selection process, from which 12 teams were invited to participate in an intensive two-day online training course held on 26–27 July 2025. Delivered by international experts, the programme focused on core elements of sustainable entrepreneurship, including ESG and SDG integration, circular business model development, impact investment, business strategy, and branding.

Participating teams then received individual online coaching sessions led by local experts. These sessions supported start-ups in refining business plans, strengthening investment pitches, and improving overall investment readiness.

The programme culminated in an online Demo Day, where the finalists presented their business ideas and received feedback from a panel of judges. Representatives from MEDC and CEDAR outlined Malaysia’s start-up ecosystem and support policies, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and development partners. HSF also shared insights from Ecothon’s seven-year regional track record, illustrating how structured training, mentoring, and networking can support sustainable entrepreneurship.

Following the pitching sessions, three national winners were selected:

• First Prize: Biome Home (Zircochem Resources)

• Second Prize: resavour by the moonbeam.co

• Third Prize: Renewcell (M) Sdn Bhd

After the pitching day, the Malaysian winners joined a delegation of sustainable start-ups from the wider Ecothon network, including participants from the Philippines, Lao PDR, Indonesia, and ClimateLaunchpad Vietnam, to take part in the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. Their participation included the pre-event dialogue “Unlocking New Value in Southeast Asia Through Circular Business Models” and the main sessions of ACEF - ASEAN’s leading platform for policy discussion on the circular economy. The delegation also visited Quinterra Farm, the first-prize winner of Ecothon Malaysia 2024, gaining first-hand insights into post-Ecothon growth and scaling pathways.

HSF’s support for Ecothon is part of the Think Global Sustainability Network under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC).