VentureTECH Partners Pacton Technologies To Advance AI-Powered Aquaculture Platform
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Government-backed impact investment company VentureTECH Sdn Bhd has made a strategic investment in Malaysian technology company Pacton Technologies Sdn Bhd, which specialises in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, to enhance its AI- and IoT-powered aquaculture management platform, FishSpeak.
In a joint statement today, they said the investment will support Pacton’s next phase of growth, including the advancement of its AI capabilities, the scaling of commercial deployments, and expansion into key ASEAN markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines.
The FishSpeak platform combines proprietary computer-vision models, AI advisory, and selective IoT integration to deliver real-time aquaculture intelligence for fish and shrimp farms.
VentureTECH chief executive officer Azizan Jaafar said the investment reflects VentureTECH’s continued focus on advancing innovative Bumiputera-led companies in high-growth, high-value (HGHV) sectors that contribute to strengthening Malaysia’s economic resilience and national capabilities.
“Pacton’s AI-driven solution addresses critical challenges in aquaculture, particularly around productivity, operational efficiency and long-term sustainability within the industry.
“Beyond its commercial potential, FishSpeak also supports broader national priorities in food security and agri-tech innovation through the application of advanced technologies,” he said.
As the aquaculture industry continues to evolve, Azizan said, technology-driven solutions such as FishSpeak will play an important role in enhancing industry competitiveness, improving farmer outcomes, and accelerating digital adoption across the ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Pacton founder and managing director Faisal Shadli said aquaculture farmers face real operational challenges, ranging from rising feed costs and disease outbreaks to limited access to reliable farm data.
“FishSpeak was built to make advanced AI accessible at the farm level, using computer vision and familiar tools such as WhatsApp to help operators make faster, better, and more data-driven decisions.
“This investment will accelerate our mission to improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability for aquaculture operators across ASEAN,” he added.
The companies said aquaculture continues to face longstanding challenges such as delayed disease detection, feed wastage, and limited digital adoption, all of which affect productivity and operational sustainability.
Through its AI-driven approach, FishSpeak has demonstrated measurable operational improvements across pilot deployments, including stronger feed efficiency, improved farm visibility, and earlier risk detection capabilities.
FishSpeak has also gained early traction through its participation in the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Digital AgTech Programme, with deployments across more than 50 aquaculture sites nationwide.
According to the statement, the platform is also advancing regional expansion initiatives, including commercial engagement opportunities in Indonesia, where aquaculture operators are seeking scalable digital solutions to improve productivity, disease management, and farm-level operational efficiency.
The investment further reinforces VentureTECH’s role in nurturing technology-driven companies that contribute to socio-economic development, including improving farmers’ income, enabling digital adoption among smallholders, and supporting sustainable food production systems.
“It is also aligned with the aspirations of the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35), particularly in advancing Bumiputera participation in HGHV industries through technology, innovation, and sustainable economic development,” the statement said.
-- BERNAMA
