MalaysianUpdates

Category: Global Innovation

  • Accelerated Solar Project Delivery Drives 90.5% Profit Jump for Samaiden in Q2 FY2026

    Accelerated Solar Project Delivery Drives 90.5% Profit Jump for Samaiden in Q2 FY2026

    Samaiden Group Berhad (“Samaiden” or “the Company”), a specialist in renewable energy primarily engaged in the development, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of renewable energy systems and power plants, has reported strong financial results for the quarter ended 31 December 2025 (Q2 FY2026). The Group recorded revenue of RM102.79 million, marking an increase of 28.4% from RM80.05 million in the preceding quarter. This growth was largely driven by accelerated construction activities and higher progress billings from ongoing utility-scale solar projects. Profit Before Tax rose to RM10.82 million, up 64.9% from RM6.56 million in Q1 FY2026, reflecting improved project momentum and contributions from projects with stronger margin profiles. In line with this performance, Profit After Tax increased by 90.5% to RM9.03 million, compared with RM4.74 million in the previous quarter, highlighting the Company’s ability to translate higher revenue into stronger bottom-line growth.

    Datuk Ir. Chow Pui Hee, Group Managing Director of Samaiden, stated that the quarter’s performance reflects stronger on-site execution and steady progress across key projects. Higher construction activities contributed to increased revenue recognition, while projects with healthier margin profiles enhanced overall profitability. Despite recent increases in solar panel prices, the impact on the Company has remained minimal, supported by early procurement planning, strategic sourcing, and disciplined cost management, ensuring projects remain on track. He emphasized that Samaiden continues to focus on maintaining operational discipline while executing its expanding pipeline of renewable energy projects.

    The renewable energy sector in Malaysia continues to offer significant growth opportunities, supported by evolving policy initiatives such as the updated Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS), the introduction of Feed-in Tariff 3.0 (FiT 3.0), and the Solar Accelerated Transition Action Programme (Solar ATAP), which was implemented following the conclusion of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) programme. Against this positive industry backdrop, the Group expects continued growth momentum from the ongoing rollout of renewable energy initiatives.

    As of 31 December 2025, Samaiden’s order book stood at RM600.5 million, providing a strong foundation for revenue recognition in the coming financial periods. With a healthy pipeline spanning CRESS, LSS5+, the Corporate Green Power Program, and rooftop solar projects, Samaiden is well-positioned to capture further growth in Malaysia’s renewable energy sector.

  • Deel Unveils The Pitch: A $15M Global Tournament to Discover the Next Generation of Borderless Founders

    Deel, a leading global HR and payroll platform, has officially launched The Pitch, a landmark international startup competition aimed at discovering and funding the next generation of borderless founders. Designed to challenge traditional venture capital norms, the initiative focuses on identifying high-potential seed-stage startups based purely on merit, innovation, and execution—rather than geography, access, or networks. By leveraging Deel’s extensive global footprint, The Pitch seeks to democratize access to capital and visibility for founders worldwide.

    With ambitions on a truly global scale, The Pitch is expected to engage more than 20,000 startups across seven regions, culminating in a total investment pool of up to USD15 million. Through a highly selective process, up to 100 regional winners will each receive USD50,000 in investment, while as many as ten global champions will be awarded USD1 million each to accelerate their growth. With a final selection rate of just 0.05 percent, the competition positions itself as more selective than many of the world’s most established startup accelerators.

    Unlike conventional funding pathways that rely heavily on localized ecosystems, The Pitch introduces a new standard for global venture discovery. Startups are evaluated through expert-led assessments and data-driven insights designed to surface “high-signal” founders with scalable ideas. Applications are now open to seed-stage founders globally, with the journey leading to seven in-person regional finals hosted in major innovation hubs such as Singapore, New York, London, and Berlin, before culminating in a global finale scheduled for May 2026.

    The competition is presented by J.P. Morgan and supported by an impressive lineup of partners, including Andreessen Horowitz, dLocal, Google, Orrick, Prodware, Ribbit Ventures, and Stripe. Together, these partners reinforce the competition’s credibility and global reach.

    Through The Pitch, Deel underscores its commitment to empowering founders everywhere, regardless of borders. The initiative not only offers capital, but also global exposure, strategic validation, and access to an influential network—marking a bold step forward in shaping a more inclusive and borderless startup ecosystem.