Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir is calling on more Malaysian start-ups to tap venture capital and the Dana Impak programme to scale their operations, pointing to the recent market debut of SkyeChip Bhd as a blueprint for success. According to Bernama, the call follows SkyeChip’s public listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, where the fabless integrated circuit design company surged 297.7% above its initial public offering price.
SkyeChip Sets the Pace for Malaysian Start-Ups
SkyeChip made an impressive market debut at RM3.50, soaring RM2.62 above its initial public offering price of 88 sen, according to Bernama. Prior to its listing, the company drew an overwhelmingly positive response from retail investors. Bernama reported that the firm received 74,453 applications for 3.45 billion shares under the Malaysian public tranche, translating to an oversubscription rate of 95 times and raising RM352 million through the exercise.
According to Amirul Feisal, speaking during a visit to the Bernama headquarters, the SkyeChip experience highlighted how venture capital backing helps early-stage companies expand before attracting further institutional support. Amirul Feisal stated that Khazanah took a direct stake as a cornerstone investor just before the initial public offering to help ensure a successful listing through the Dana Impak programme.
Expanding the Ecosystem Through Dana Impak
Khazanah designed its early-stage programmes to attract emerging and regional fund managers into Malaysia while injecting seed capital into mid-tier companies, according to Amirul Feisal. He explained that the state fund acts as a catalyst alongside other government-linked investment companies, supporting businesses from early development through potential public listings. Amirul Feisal noted that Khazanah enters alongside venture capital players so that other investors can participate at a later stage.
Broader participation across the ecosystem remains key to enabling more companies to follow a similar growth trajectory, according to Amirul Feisal. He pointed to semiconductors as a sector with strong potential, driven by rising global demand for artificial intelligence-related technologies. Beyond semiconductors, Amirul Feisal noted that innovations in robotics and agri-technology present vital areas for national and global improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dana Impak?
Dana Impak is an impact-focused fund under Khazanah Nasional designed to catalyze economic growth, build strong ecosystems, and support Malaysian companies from early stages through to potential public listings.
How did SkyeChip perform during its initial public offering?
According to Bernama, SkyeChip debuted at RM3.50 on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, rising RM2.62 or 297.7% above its 88 sen initial public offering price, after drawing an oversubscription rate of 95 times and raising RM352 million.
Which sectors does Khazanah view as having strong potential?
According to Amirul Feisal, the semiconductor sector holds significant potential due to artificial intelligence demand, alongside other innovation areas such as robotics and agri-technology.
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