by NUR HANANI AZMAN / pic by TMR FILE

THE Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) has enhanced its Gain Connex initiative by ensuring that tech start-ups are well equipped with the right knowledge and tools to thrive in the disrupted landscape following the pandemic through focus on cross-functional topics.

Gain Connex 2021 is a continuation of the previous Gain Connex programmes held from 2017 to 2020, established as a series of in-depth knowledge-sharing and business networking programmes among South-East Asian countries.

MDEC Tech Ecosystems and Globalisation VP Gopi Ganesalingam (picture) said through the programme, Malaysian tech companies can gather valuable market insight, discover new opportunities and acquire relevant knowledge through targeted workshops, info-sharing sessions and networking events.

“Gain Connex also introduces companies to prominent partners in other countries within South-East Asia.

“Throughout the years, MDEC’s Gain programme has helped Malaysian tech companies and start-ups expand their market access and export opportunities to other countries within the region,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Themed “Gain Connex: Future of Work”, the new programme is intended to catalyse and connect Gain companies to wider and new audiences, in line with MDEC’s vision to develop Malaysia’s digital economy under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital).

The enhanced Gain Connex 2021 will focus on cross-functional topics that cut across the tech ecosystem, connecting different technologies to a single topic including an exclusive plenary session with IDC analysts on the region’s Future of Work market trends and opportunities.

Key Theme Phase 1: Future of Work — Collaborative Productivity taps into collaborative systems such as enterprise resource planning systems, database management, real-time collaboration tools, augmented reality and other productivity tools.

Key Theme Phase 2: Future of Work — Automated Task delves into automation technologies and systems such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, big data analytics, intelligent process automation, Internet of Things, customer service management and workforce management solutions.

Gopi said Gain Connex 2021 follows several of MDEC’s initiatives under their Tech Ecosystems and Globalisation programmes, which have seen much success in impacting the technology start-up sector including Malaysia Digital Hub (MDH).

“Since January 2021, MDEC has assisted the development of 10 MDH-certified hub operators spanning 22 locations, with GA Space from Sabah being the latest addition.

“MDEC supports MDH hubs and its tenants through initiatives such as Mentor+, Founders Grindstone and the #MydigitalWorkforce Work in Tech programme, as well as connecting them to MDEC’s partners like Microsoft (Corp), RHL Ventures (Sdn Bhd) and Seedstars,” he added.

Meanwhile, MDEC Innovation Exchange (MIX) is part of MDEC’s corporate innovation efforts aimed at empowering large corporations with value-added digital transformation via local innovators.

MDEC has formed engagements with over 100 corporate partners across seven economic sectors that range from telecommunications to agriculture.

To date, it has assisted organisations in tackling 75 problem statements in addition to creating nearly 1,300 opportunities for relevant tech companies and signing five memorandums of understanding through MIX.