Cradle Launches Initiative To Drive Corporate Innovation, SME Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), the focal agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), today launched the Cradle Innovation Advisory, a strategic partnership initiative to accelerate technological transformation among corporates and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia.

In a statement, MOSTI said the initiative was introduced to address structural limitations within the national innovation ecosystem, including inadequate post-grant support, weak commercialisation pathways, fragmented linkages between industry and startups, and limited SME engagement in research and development (R&D) activities.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the Cradle Innovation Advisory provided SMEs with access to the expertise, tools and partnerships needed to continue to innovate, grow and compete globally.

“This marks a shift from support to empowerment. By strengthening partnerships with universities, corporates, and global startup communities, we can create fertile ground where great ideas are not only developed but also launched into the market, transforming entire sectors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cradle Group chief executive officer Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke said the initiative was not merely about introducing new frameworks but also about creating a space for startups to work hand‑in‑hand with key corporate players.

“In this proof‑of‑concept phase, we will refine and optimise our approach before scaling it nationally for deeper, long‑term impact,” he said.

According to MOSTI, a key part of the initiative was the Corporate Innovation Lab Programme (CILP), a structured platform offering modular workshops tailored to the developmental maturity of participating organisations.

The ministry also said that the initiative would offer bespoke advisory services, including innovation audits, formulation of innovation roadmaps and support for R&D commercialisation.

“Cradle will also offer access to strategic services such as legal advisory and human capital planning.

“In line with national frameworks such as Ekonomi MADANI and the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) 2021–2030, the Cradle Innovation Advisory seeks to strengthen Malaysia’s innovation capacity and advance its position as a globally competitive startup and SME ecosystem,” said the statement.

Organisations interested in participating in or collaborating on the initiative may contact Cradle at enquiries@cradle.com.my.

--BERNAMA