Last updated on October 11, 2025
Kuala Lumpur, 09 October 2025 — Alliance Bank Malaysia held its flagship BizSmart® Business Conference 2025 (ABBBC2025) under the theme “Boundaries Reimagined: Bridging Innovation with Vision,” reaffirming its commitment to catalysing growth among Malaysia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The one-day event, hosted at W Kuala Lumpur, drew over 700 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators, providing a platform for dialogue, networking, and actionable insights.
The conference featured nine panel sessions and more than 25 speakers, addressing pressing challenges facing SMEs such as digital disruption, limited capital access, talent gaps, and shifting customer expectations. Attendees heard real-world experiences, strategies for resilience, and tools to adapt in a rapidly changing business environment.
Alliance Bank’s CEO, Kellee Kam, emphasized the institution’s relational approach:
“Our focus is on building lasting relationships with entrepreneurs … we don’t just talk about supporting businesses, we stand alongside them, championing their growth with meaningful actions.”
In an interview during the event, Dr Aaron Sum, Executive Vice President of Alliance Bank, said the conference is less about top-down advice and more about facilitating peer learning, mentorship and business connectivity. “We see ourselves as facilitators, connecting entrepreneurs with the right mentors, coaches and networks. That’s where real growth happens.”
BizSmart 2025 also highlights the bank’s longer-term SME initiatives, including the BizSmart Challenge, a startup competition and accelerator. Previously, nearly 600 applications were submitted; from them, 30 startups entered the accelerator and 13 were selected as winners, receiving funding, coaching, and networking support. The bank says it will relaunch the program in the near future.
A Broader Platform for Diverse SMEs
One of the conference’s hallmarks was its diversity of participants, spanning retail, food & beverage, technology, and professional services. The speaker roster included names such as Dato’ Calvin Chan (Oriental Kopi), Datin Dr Winnie Loo (A Cut Above), Timothy Tiah (Colony Co-working), and Soo Sze Yang (MR D.I.Y.), among others.
Distinct sessions focused on women entrepreneurs, exploring leadership in shifting markets, and artificial intelligence / tech adoption in SMEs, reflecting the evolving priorities of Malaysia’s business community.
Dr Sum remarked on the need for relevance and inclusivity, noting that Malaysia’s SME landscape is “incredibly diverse”, encompassing both traditional brick-and-mortar businesses and fast-scaling digital ventures. Alliance Bank aims to ensure its suite of support remains adaptable and accessible for the full spectrum of enterprise models.
Outlook & Significance
As Malaysia navigates post-pandemic recovery, events like BizSmart 2025 highlight the growing role of banks as ecosystem builders, not just financiers. By convening stakeholders, enabling partnerships, and strengthening networks, Alliance Bank signals an ecosystem-centric approach to SME development.
The conference also serves as a barometer for SME sentiment and emerging trends, particularly in tech adoption, funding constraints, and operational resilience. As the Bank scales its accelerator, mentoring, and capital support efforts, the long-term impact may extend beyond individual enterprises to broader regional growth clusters.
