In collaboration with Sunway iLabs, Disruptr will be featuring 10 startups who have made it to the Top 10 of the LaunchX 2023 programme.
Supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, LaunchX, the first University Startups Accelerator Programme in Malaysia, has recently unveiled the top ten university startups selected from its pre-accelerator phase. This equity-free, no-strings-attached 3+2-month program focuses on empowering budding entrepreneurs to achieve key milestones and take their startups to the next level.
The 4th startup to be featured is Plantenesis, a startup looking to promote sustainable agriculture practices.
After witnessing the challenges faced by farmers in Malaysia, which included the likes of declining crop yields and limited technical knowledge in carrying out agricultural practice, Ong Yue Han and Mirabelle Ong Sin Yee recognised the need for innovative solutions in the agricultural industry.
With the growing global demand for organic and sustainable farming practices, they believed in the potential of biostimulants in addressing these issues and improving agricultural productivity sustainably in the region.
This then led to the establishment of Plantenesis, a startup that aims to address a wide range of challenges faced by the farming industry.
“We hope to address the food trade deficit issue and increase local crop yield by providing effective biostimulant products to improve soil health, enhance nutrient uptake and promote plant growth,” said Mirabelle, co-founder of Plantenesis.
The startup is also paving the way towards promoting sustainable agriculture practices by reducing the reliance on chemical inputs and fertilisers, thereby minimising environmental impact.
Additionally, both co-founders are committed to increasing the awareness among farmers about the benefits of using biostimulants through educational campaigns, demonstrations and collaborations with different stakeholders.
“Our products can be applied to all crops grown in soil, including commercial plantations, small-scale vegetable farms, orchards and home nurseries,” says Mirabelle. Currently, Plantenesis’ target market includes farmers, plantation owners, horticulturists and individuals involved in agricultural activities.
“The demographic of users may vary, but primarily it would include both smallholder farmers and larger-scale agricultural enterprises,” she adds.
Expanding With Investment
“The agricultural industry in the region is significant and offers a promising market with untapped potential. Plantenesis aims to improve the farming practice in the region by introducing innovative biostimulant solutions,” says Ong.
The startup is committed to conducting research and development to create effective and sustainable biostimulant formulations tailored to different growing conditions.
So how will investment help to expand their business model?
According to both co-founders, investments will assist in scaling up their production capabilities to meet growing demand. Additionally, further funding can expand research and development efforts to continuously improve and innovate new biostimulant formulations.
Mirabelle also shares that the startup can utilise new investment to strengthen marketing and distribution channels to reach a wider customer base as well as explore strategic partnerships and collaborationbs to enhance market reach and access to distribution networks.
Overcoming Challenges Through LaunchX
Similar to fellow founders within the LaunchX programme, being a student founder comes with its own set of challenges, which includes the need to balance academic responsibilities with the demands of running a startup. Co-founder, Ong says it can get quite overwhelming to juggle especially during exam period.
Furthermore, building a network and establishing credibility as most people would perceive as inexperienced or lacking professional connections. Both co-founders also highlighted that the lack of extensive industry experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies of running a business proved to be challenging as well.
However, being part of the LaunchX programme also gave Plantenesis with sufficient guidance and resources to overcome these challenges.
“We particularly enjoyed the mentorship programme as LaunchX paired us with Melissa Ong, Group Chief Officer of Impact Circle and Thought For Food Regional CEO of Southeast Asia. Having a mentor with deep industry understanding and expertise, she provided us valuable insights and guidance on how we should structure and grow our business,” both co-founders told Disruptr.
Mirabella also shared that there has been a steep learning curve as the structured curriculum and workshops provided the team with a comprehensive view and fundamental knowledge to run a business effectively. Resources such as the founders’ hub had also assisted in setting up the company.
In collaboration with Sunway iLabs, Disruptr will be featuring 10 startups who have made it to the Top 10 of the LaunchX 2023 programme.
Supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, LaunchX, the first University Startups Accelerator Programme in Malaysia, has recently unveiled the top ten university startups selected from its pre-accelerator phase. This equity-free, no-strings-attached 3+2-month program focuses on empowering budding entrepreneurs to achieve key milestones and take their startups to the next level.