Cover Farhan Ahmad, group CEO of PayNet
Farhan Ahmad, group CEO of PayNet
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The newly launched PayNet Fintech Hub aims to accelerate innovation, scale startups, and position Malaysia as a regional fintech leader
Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet), the national payments network and central driver of Malaysia’s digital economy, has launched the PayNet Fintech Hub, a fintech-focused community and accelerator platform. The initiative is designed to address the most pressing challenges faced by local fintech startups—namely access to capital, strategic networks, and mentorship—while supporting the broader national agenda of advancing financial inclusion and digital innovation.
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Above Farhan Ahmad, group CEO of PayNet giving a talk during the launch of the PayNet Fintech Hub
Farhan Ahmad, group CEO of PayNet giving a talk during the launch of the PayNet Fintech Hub
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“The PayNet Fintech Hub marks a decisive step forward in enabling future-ready and inclusive financial services in Malaysia,” said Farhan Ahmad, group CEO of PayNet. “A thriving fintech industry is one of the most effective ways to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the face of rapid developments in financial technology and artificial intelligence.”
Above From left to right: Farhan Ahmad, Vicks Kanagasingam, Lester Leong, Cherie Huang, Robin Ang, Danny Leong, Ang Xing Xian, Foong Chee Mun, Chan Kok Long, Anisha Sasheendran, Yang Yang Zhang, Jasmine Ng, Teoh Zehan, Wilson Beh, Yeoh Chen Chow, Gary Yeoh
From left to right: Farhan Ahmad, Vicks Kanagasingam, Lester Leong, Cherie Huang, Robin Ang, Danny Leong, Ang Xing Xian, Foong Chee Mun, Chan Kok Long, Anisha Sasheendran, Yang Yang Zhang, Jasmine Ng, Teoh Zehan, Wilson Beh, Yeoh Chen Chow, Gary Yeoh
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The programme is built around two pillars—Community and Catalyst. The applications can be made on PayNet’s website, and startups selected for the Community track will receive access to a curated ecosystem that includes over RM1 million in PayNet value-added credits, more than RM600,000 worth of sponsored advisory services, covering legal, finance, HR, and market research, up to RM3 million in cloud credits from leading providers, a fully sponsored co-working space, direct business matching with key players in the banking, payments, and technology sectors as well as over 450 hours of hands-on mentorship with industry leaders including Tatler Asia honourees like Robin Ang (Asia’s Most Influential 2021) and Joel Neoh (Gen.T 2017).
Above Farhan Ahmad and Gary Yeoh pictured with representatives from the panel of Shared Services, Cloud, and Ecosystem Partners which includes representatives from Grace S Nathan Advocates & Solicitors, FinKnight, One People Team, Vase.ai, WORQ, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Tencent Cloud, Cradle, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), Lestari, and Asia School of Business
Farhan Ahmad and Gary Yeoh pictured with representatives from the panel of Shared Services, Cloud, and Ecosystem Partners which includes representatives from Grace S Nathan Advocates & Solicitors, FinKnight, One People Team, Vase.ai, WORQ, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Tencent Cloud, Cradle, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), Lestari, and Asia School of Business
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In addition, select companies from the Community track will be invited to participate in the exclusive Catalyst programme. Developed in partnership with Imperial College London, the Catalyst accelerator includes a 10-week curriculum tailored specifically to the needs of Malaysian fintechs. Participants will benefit from expert coaching by Imperial faculty, a sponsored immersion trip to London, and access to venture capitalists and global startup leaders during a final demo day.
The Hub also expands on PayNet’s collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Catalyst participants will receive credits to access the newly launched AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region and gain entry into the upcoming Fintech Innovation Sandbox, which is designed to support secure and scalable growth.
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Above Farhan Ahmad and Gary Yeoh pictured with representatives from the panel of corporate partners and investors which includes representatives from Maybank, RHB Bank, AmBank, Bank Islam, Touch ‘n Go e-wallet, GX Bank, Xendit, Finexus, FassPay, CloudMile, Cradle, FirstMove, Gobi Partners, Nexea, and Artem
Farhan Ahmad and Gary Yeoh pictured with representatives from the panel of corporate partners and investors which includes representatives from Maybank, RHB Bank, AmBank, Bank Islam, Touch ‘n Go e-wallet, GX Bank, Xendit, Finexus, FassPay, CloudMile, Cradle, FirstMove, Gobi Partners, Nexea, and Artem
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With over 45 strategic partners contributing to the initiative, the Fintech Hub is positioned as a national enabler for meaningful industry transformation. According to PayNet, the initiative is not intended as a short-term programme but as a long-term infrastructure investment aimed at nurturing a sustainable, high-impact fintech ecosystem in Malaysia.
“The PayNet Fintech Hub addresses long-standing fragmentation in Malaysia’s fintech ecosystem and unites key stakeholders under one roof,” Farhan added. “We see it as a platform to enable smarter collaboration, accelerate innovation, and unlock real commercial outcomes.”
Credits
Images: PayNet
Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
