Carsome has been tapped by the Sunway Group’s innovation arm, Sunway Innovation Labs (iLabs), to launch Malaysia’s first-ever auto ecosystem accelerator. Dubbed the Carsome Mobility Lab, the program is slated to go public during the third quarter of 2022 and will go to supporting global tech start-ups to deliver sustainable solutions in Carsome’s existing markets.
Speaking on this collaboration, Eric Cheng, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Carsome, said the partnership with Sunway iLabs is the first-of-its-kind accelerator in the Southeast Asian region to identify, partner, and scale innovative start-ups.
“It is an honor for us to be supporting and boosting the entrepreneur and automotive communities through this unique program. This is another huge step towards Carsome’s vision of creating the most trusted vehicle ownership ecosystem, powered by technology and data.”
The programme will provide a platform for startups in the auto ecosystem to scale by providing mentorship, opportunities for funding and access to partnership opportunities through Sunway and Carsome’s network of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporates and industry experts.
Selected startups will be offered the unique opportunity to connect with Sunway’s 13 business divisions and Sunway City Kuala Lumpur’s thriving ecosystem as well as the Group’s extensive funding funnel and ecosystem comprising Orbit Malaysia, SunSEA Capital, Gobi Partners and The HIVE SEA for further funding and investment opportunities.
Matt van Leeuwen, Sunway’s Chief Innovation Officer and Director of Sunway iLabs, commented on the growth of their partnership with Carsome in becoming abroad-spectrum innovation platform covering research and development (R&D), tech talent development to a start-up accelerator programme.
“We believe that this first-of-its-kind auto ecosystem accelerator in Malaysia will help elevate startups to the next level by tapping the networks, market, mentors, and funding offered by Carsome and Sunway.”
“This is really a unique opportunity not to be missed by entrepreneurs who are looking to build a successful tech business in the automotive industry,” explained van Leeuwen.
Adding to that, Sunway Group’s Chief Executive Officer of Digital and Strategic Investment Evan Cheah also chimed on the group’s investment of over RM200 million in start-ups and venture building over the last few years and its remained commitment to equipping and enabling businesses in developing greater local innovations as part of our commitment to nation-building and advancing the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Additionally, Digbijoy Shukla, Carsome Group Head of Merger & Acquisition and Ecosystem Strategy, revealed that the company is looking forward to teaming up with Sunway to work with startups across Southeast Asia to bring cutting-edge innovation that will benefit the entire auto ecosystem and ultimately add value to the vehicle ownership journey of all consumers.
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