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Stop Managing the Crisis.

Start Engineering the Future.

Most SMEs are caught in a cycle of "Survival Mode"—reacting to market shifts, chasing talent, and patching up legacy systems. The SME CEO Forum is your exit ramp. This isn't just a conference; it’s a strategic war room where you will:

De-risk Your Future:

Turn ESG from a "cost center" into your strongest competitive weapon for global trade.

Weaponize AI:

Move beyond ChatGPT. Learn how to architect an AI-driven operational core that scales while you sleep.

Access the Inner Circle:

Get unscripted, direct answers from the people who write the regulations in our exclusive "Hot Seat" and "No Holds Barred" sessions.

Panel Session I:

Leveraging ESG for
Global Market Access

Panel Session I:

Leveraging ESG for
Global Market Access

Panel Session II:

Future-Proofing Your
Business with AI and Tech

Panel Session II:

Future-Proofing Your
Business with AI and Tech

Special Panel:

No Holds Barred –
Policy Makers vs SMEs

Special Panel:

No Holds Barred –
Policy Makers vs SMEs

Panel Session III:

Real Lessons in
Scaling to Greatness

Panel Session III:

Real Lessons in
Scaling to Greatness

Programme

Rundown

TIME

DETAILS

09:00 am
Registration & Networking
09:30 am
Welcome Address
Datuk William Ng
National President, Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia, SAMENTA
09:40 am
Opening and Keynote Address: From Survival to Greatness
YB Steven Sim
Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives
10:00 am
Exchange of Memorandum of Understanding
- SAMENTA and Blue Onion - Supporting ESG and Supply Chain Readiness of SMEs
10:20 am
Networking and Visit to SME Financing and Technology Showcase
10:50 am
Presentation: Technology/Digitalization Solutions for SMEs (Veecotech)
11:00 am
Panel Session I: Leveraging ESG for Global Market Access
1. Rizal Dato’ Nainy, Chief Executive Officer, SME Corporation Malaysia
2. Yusram Yusup, Senior Director, Transformation and Digital Trade, MATRADE
3. Ivan Look, Lead Coordinator, Circular Economy Certified, SAMENTA
Moderator:
Dr John Loh, Chairman, Sustainability Committee, SAMENTA
12:15 pm
Panel Session II: Future-Proofing Your Business with AI and Tech
1. Alain Lye, Chief Executive Officer, Veecotech Group
2. Teng Chan Leong, Chief Executive Officer, Skribble Group
3. Dr. Wong Kee Wei, Group Managing Director, Safetyware Group Berhad
Moderator:
Daniel Cerventus, Co-Founder, NextUpAsia
01:15 pm
Lunch Break
02:20 pm
Lucky Draw I
02:30 pm
No Holds Barred – Policymakers vs SMEs
1. YB Datuk Choong Sin Woon, Secretary General, MCA, Former Deputy Minister of Education
2. Lee Chean Chung, Founder, Hub for ASEAN Technology & Innovation, Former Member of Parliament
3. Professor Yeah Kim Leng, Professor and Director, Economic Studies, Jeffrey Cheah Institute of Southeast Asia, Advisor to the Prime Minister
Moderator:
Datuk William Ng, National President, SAMENTA
03:30 pm
Panel Session III: Real Lessons in Scaling to Greatness
1. Steven Chiew, Chief Executive Officer, Next Group
2. Theophilus Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Fish Camp Learning Sdn Bhd
3. Ben Lim, Co-Founder, NEXEA
Moderator:
Yeoh Chen Chow, Founder, 1% Advisory & Coaching; Chairman, Foodie Media Berhad / Independent Director, Audience Analytics Limited
04:30 pm
Closing Remarks / Lucky Draw 2
04:40 pm
End
(Tentative Programme, subject to change)

TIME

SESSION

09:00 am
Registration & High-Level Networking
09:40 am
Keynote: From Survival to Greatness
11:00 am
Panel I: Leveraging ESG for Global Market Access
12:15 pm
Panel II: Future-Proofing Your Business with Al and Tech
02:30 pm
No Holds Barred: Policymakers vs. SMEs
03:45 pm
Panel III: Real Lessons in Scaling to Greatness
(Tentative Programme, subject to change)
 
Register Now

You Are Who You Are

Surrounded With

Step into a high-density environment of ambition. You aren't just attending a conference; you are surrounding yourself in a network of C-Suite leaders, founders, and industry disruptors who are all executing the same structural pivot as you.

The No-Consultant Zone:

We strictly curate our audience. There are no distractions—just peers, policy architects, and practitioners.

The Power of Proximity:

Rub shoulders with the decision-makers shaping the national SME landscape

The Intelligence Exchange:

Surround yourself with the technical minds behind the AI revolution and the pioneers of the ESG movement.

Are You One of These?

You Belong Here

The SME CEO Forum 2026 is not a spectator sport. It is a curated environment designed for specific archetypes of leadership

The Global Expansionist

You are ready to weaponize ESG and sustainability standards to unlock international supply chains and secure global market access.

The Policy Influencer

You are ready to step into the
"No Holds Barred" arena to engage directly with national policymakers and ensure the SME ecosystem works for you, not against you

The Scale-Up Visionary

You want to master the mechanics of liquidity and scale-up financing to transform your enterprise into a market-leading powerhouse

The Tech Architect

You are here to integrate Artificial Intelligence and emerging tech into the core of your business to future-proof your legacy

Your Presence is

Non-Negotiable

Secure a seat at the table alongside national policy architects and industry powerhouses.

STANDARD PASS

Gain full access to all high-stakes sessions, masterclasses, and panels, from the Opening Keynote to the signature "No Holds Barred" town hall. This pass fuels your transformation with pure strategic intelligence.

Inclusions: Full-day conference attendance, access to the SME Technology & Financing Showcase.

RM100

PREMIUM PASS

Cement your status as a visionary leader with the complete executive experience. Maximize high-density networking and strategic convenience in an environment curated for peak performance.


Inclusions: Full-day attendance, exclusive access to a designated premium seating area, and an executive networking lunch.

RM600

 
Register Now
 

Organiser

Co-Organisers

 

Supporting Partners

 

Official Media Partners

 

For more information or sponsorship enquiries, Click Here

Rizal Dato’ Nainy is the Chief Executive Officer of SME Corporation Malaysia, where he leads the strategic planning, implementation, and enhancement of SME development programs to foster globally competitive and resilient businesses. He brings extensive expertise in government relations, strategic transformation, IR4.0, digitization, and business re-engineering, with prior leadership experience at the Prime Minister’s Department and global roles at Shell. He holds a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London and an MBA from Charles Sturt University, Australia.

Ivan Look Chun Tat serves as Director of ESG & Corporate Services at Wezmart Consulting, where he leads sustainability advisory by blending academic rigor with practical industry experience. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at Asia Pacific University (APU), Ivan specializes in integrating governance, sustainability, and innovation to drive transformative solutions across education and business practices.

Dr. John Loh is a seasoned entrepreneur, sustainability practitioner, and digital transformation advocate with over 25 years of experience across engineering, oil & gas, and industrial manufacturing. As Director of Operations & Strategic Development at Emerging EPC, he led the company’s expansion across Southeast Asia and established its pioneering sustainability reporting aligned with global frameworks like GRI and the UN SDGs. He also serves as National Sustainability & ESG Chairman for SAMENTA, actively collaborating with government, industry, and academia to drive ESG adoption, smart manufacturing, and digital transformation for Malaysian SMEs.

Teng Chan Leong is the CEO of Skribble Group, bringing over 10 years of experience leading digital transformation, branding, and marketing initiatives across Southeast Asia. He oversees Skribble Group’s suite of companies—including Skribble Me, Skribble Lab, Skribble Ventures, and Skribble Media—following his early career as Head of Digital Transformation at a major Malaysian conglomerate. Additionally, Teng is the founder of SAMA Alliance, a regional marketing network encompassing more than 50 independent agencies across the Asia-Pacific region.

Dr. Wong Kee Wei is an accomplished entrepreneur, speaker, and strategic coach with over 20 years of leadership experience. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Safetyware Group Berhad, leading its growth into a Bursa Malaysia-listed company spanning Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. He also serves as Founder and CEO of Keyway Digital Labs and Chief Coach at Multifocal Advisory, advising SMEs on AI adoption, digital transformation, and strategic execution. Dr. Wong holds leadership roles in SAMENTA and MFMA, serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at UTP, and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Daniel Cerventus is a prominent entrepreneur, investor, and community builder based in Southeast Asia. He is the founder of NextUpAsia, a vibrant community of nearly 250,000 entrepreneurs, and AcquireStreet, an M&A advisory firm supporting strategic mergers and acquisitions for SMEs. Daniel also serves as the Organizer and Lead Curator of TEDxKL—the third-largest TEDx event globally—and has been a TEDx Ambassador since 2014. Additionally, he leads Build With AI, a platform empowering creators in AI technology. Recognized by Forbes and BFM, Daniel frequently consults for top organizations like Bank Negara Malaysia and Petronas on strategy and content.

Lee Chean Chung is the founder of the Hub for ASEAN Technology Innovation (HATI) and President of both SEAPAC and the Malaysia-China Technology Promotion Association. A former Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya (2022–2026) and Semambu State Assemblyman (2013–2022), he brings extensive governance experience. He holds a Master in Public Administration from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, an M.Sc. in Transportation and Logistics, and a degree in Computer Engineering. His policy work focuses on sustainable development, industrial strategy, transportation, and ASEAN economic integration.

Professor Yeah Kim Leng is a Professor and Director of the Economic Studies Programme at the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia at Sunway University. He serves as President of the Malaysian Economic Association (MEA) and is an adviser on the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisory Committee (PMAC). His extensive experience includes roles as chief economist at a credit rating agency and external member of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee. Professor Yeah holds a PhD and MBA from the University of Hawaii, with research focused on monetary economics, fiscal sustainability, and tax systems.

Datuk William Ng is the national president of SAMENTA, interim president of the
Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors, and Malaysia’s representative to the ASEAN MSME Advisory Board. As a serial entrepreneur, he has founded and/or invested in early start-ups that are now listed in Bursa Malaysia, ASX and NASDAQ. During Covid-19, he took his company public in Singapore, as Audience Analytics Limited, where he continues to be the chairman and managing director.

Ben Lim co-founded NEXEA in 2015, establishing a leading hybrid venture fund and accelerator dedicated to supporting Southeast Asia’s top tech entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, NEXEA screens over 2,200 startups annually, investing in the top 0.25% through a founder-first model that pairs per-deal funding with mentorship from veteran executives. NEXEA’s portfolio of 50+ companies includes high-growth scaling successes like Lapasar and Parkit. Beyond investments, Ben oversees regional accelerators and peer advisory cohorts supporting ventures generating RM3.5 billion annually, while championing founder-focused educational platforms like DisruptInvest.org.

Yeoh Chen Chow is the Founder of 1% Advisory & Coaching and serves on the board of directors for three listed companies, acting as Chairman of Foodie Media Berhad and Independent Director at Audience Analytics Limited and SRKK AI Berhad. He previously co-founded Fave Group, which was acquired by Pine Labs. Yeoh is a Cornell University alumnus and an Eisenhower Fellow.