KUALA LUMPUR: Five innovative enterprises from Peninsular Malaysia have been named winners of the Shell LiveWire 2025 entrepreneurship programme, recognised for bold solutions to some of the country’s most pressing challenges.
From over 60 participants, Earnest Grower Sdn Bhd, Lorry System Sdn Bhd, Mensilin Green Energy Sdn Bhd, Midwest Composites Sdn Bhd, and Rebooz Technology Sdn Bhd emerged victorious at the state finals held at Menara Shell, KL Sentral.
The winners were selected after an intensive bootcamp and a final pitching session before a panel of judges including Cyberview head of ecosystem hub and Futurise acting CEO Shafinaz Salim, Business Times news editor Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan, and Shell Malaysia global alliance manager Theswinder Kaur.
Each received a RM10,000 startup grant and a year-long business coaching programme, and now join Shell’s global LiveWire network, with the chance to be shortlisted for the Shell Global Top Ten Innovators Awards.
Turning Floods into Fields
When severe floods struck the Klang Valley in 2021, co-founders Ernest Lee and Lawrence Yew found new purpose. They launched Earnest Grower (The Earnest Co.), an agricultural startup turning underutilised land into regenerative farms producing pineapples, corn, figs, and chilli.
Their mission extends beyond farming—advocating food sovereignty, soil health, and climate resilience while linking farmers, investors, and government agencies.
“Agriculture is not just food—it’s sovereignty, sustainability, and survival. We founded Earnest Co. as a movement for regenerative farming,” the founders said.
Through LiveWire, they gained sharper financial models, stronger stakeholder strategies, and, in their words, “found our voice.”
Logistics Made Smart, Scalable and Inclusive
Lorry System, founded by Parimala Ponnusamy and Sasitheran Pathmanathan, is redesigning logistics for small and medium fleet operators.
Their mobile-first platform integrates with WhatsApp, enabling drivers to use familiar tools while AI-powered analysis, compliance tracking, and live dashboards run in the background.
This hybrid approach ensures inclusivity across urban and rural Malaysia.
“Shell LiveWire was a turning point, pushing us to clarify our value and think bigger, especially about impact and investor readiness,” Sasitheran said.
From Plastic Waste to Clean Diesel
Founded by Ahmad Luqman Mohamad Adan, Mensilin Green Energy transforms end-of-life plastics into Euro 5-grade diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, and graphite.
Inspired by his father’s pioneering biomass work, Luqman spent nearly 14 years refining the technology. Today, the company operates on an industrial scale, processing up to 10 tonnes of plastic daily.
LiveWire helped the team refine customer insights through empathy mapping, allowing solutions to be better aligned with market needs.
Nature-Based Engineering for a Cleaner World
Midwest Composites, founded by Sethu Raaj and led commercially by his brother Sunil, produces high-performance biocomposites from kenaf, jute, and palm oil waste.
Their materials cut carbon emissions by up to 75% compared to fiberglass, offering lightweight, sustainable alternatives for automotive, aerospace, construction, and consumer goods.
The company recently represented Malaysia at the Circular Valley Convention in Germany and is mentoring young engineers back home.
Hydrogen Innovation Meets Real-World Impact
Rebooz Technology, co-founded by Choong Ewe Chiang (Tanaka) and CEO Muhamad Ariel Maseri, has developed a patented hydrogen injection system for internal combustion engines.
The innovation boosts efficiency and cuts emissions without major retrofits, already tested across transport and agriculture sectors.
Though their journey faced doubts, they persisted. “We kept showing up, open to feedback, trusting the process. LiveWire gave us the support to keep going,” they said.
Now, Rebooz is pursuing large-scale partnerships with ministries and international clean-tech accelerators.
A Platform for Growth and Purpose
First launched in Sabah in 2015 and extended to Peninsular Malaysia in 2022, Shell LiveWire continues to empower purpose-driven enterprises with mentorship, networks, and resources.
Shell Malaysia’s general manager of business operations, Syed Hussain Taha, said:
“LiveWire is not just a programme, but a journey that empowers entrepreneurs to turn ideas into lasting businesses that uplift communities and create meaningful jobs.”
The five winners of 2025 embody Malaysia’s entrepreneurial spirit—whether through regenerative farming, green fuels, smart logistics, bio-based composites, or hydrogen innovation.
Together, they reflect a thriving innovation ecosystem where bold ideas are shaping a more sustainable future.
