Build Your Startup in East Coast Malaysia
Get hands-on technical support, mentorship, and resources to turn your idea into a funded startup. Build from East Coast Malaysia and prove innovation doesn't require a KL address.
Next cohort: 3 months · 5 spots available
How It Works
From idea to funded startup in 4 phases.
Application & Selection
Submit your application with your idea, background, and why you want to build in East Coast Malaysia. We review on a rolling basis and schedule interviews with promising candidates.
- ✅ Online application form (10 minutes)
- ✅ Initial screening (1-2 weeks)
- ✅ Interview with founder (30-60 mins)
- ✅ Decision within 1 week
Idea Validation (4-6 weeks)
We help you validate your idea through customer discovery, market research, and competitive analysis. The goal: confirm there's a real problem worth solving.
- ✅ Customer interviews (50+ conversations)
- ✅ Market sizing and opportunity assessment
- ✅ Business model design (revenue, pricing)
- ✅ Go/No-Go decision
MVP Development (8-12 weeks)
This is where we shine. Our founder provides hands-on CTO-level support to build your MVP. Not just advice—actual development help.
- ✅ Technical architecture and stack selection
- ✅ Hands-on development support (coding, debugging)
- ✅ Product design and UX guidance
- ✅ Launch to first users
Fundraising Prep (4-6 weeks)
We help you prepare for pre-seed/seed fundraising: pitch deck, financial model, investor intros, and cap table structuring.
- ✅ Pitch deck creation and review
- ✅ Financial modeling and projections
- ✅ Investor introductions (angels, VCs)
- ✅ Cap table and term sheet guidance
What Makes ECDC Different
We're not like Antler, Entrepreneur First, or Y Combinator. Here's why.
🛠️ Hands-On Technical Support
Our founder (proven CTO with RM100M+ exits) BUILDS with you. Not just mentorship—actual coding, debugging, and product development.
📍 Regional Focus
We're building the East Coast ecosystem, not competing with KL. Lower costs, government support, untapped talent—and you stay home.
💰 No Cash Required
We don't invest cash (we're not a VC). We invest TIME and EXPERTISE. This makes us more selective—but also more committed.
🎓 Education First
We're building ecosystem from scratch. Expect workshops, talks, community events—not just accelerator perks.
🤝 Deep Local Network
Government partnerships, university connections, business owner network—we're embedded in the region.
⚡ Proven Track Record
Lapasar (RM10M/month), Locum (RM100M total). Our founder has turned around major Malaysian startups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ECDC's program.
Who is this program for?
We support ambitious founders from anywhere in Malaysia (or beyond) who are committed to building their startup from East Coast Malaysia. Whether you're local, relocating from KL, or returning home—if you want to prove world-class companies can be built outside the capital, we'll help you succeed. We prefer B2B SaaS but are open to any high-potential idea.
What do you provide?
We provide hands-on CTO-level technical support to build your MVP, business model validation, fundraising preparation, mentorship network, community access, and physical infrastructure (virtual office, training space) in Kota Bharu. This is NOT just advice—we help you build.
What do you take in return?
We work with founders through an equity partnership model. Specific terms will be discussed during the application process and outlined in a separate agreement. We do NOT provide cash investment (we're not a VC), but we work as hard as you do to make your startup succeed.
How long is the program?
It varies by startup, but typically 3-6 months from idea validation to MVP launch. We support you until you're ready to raise pre-seed/seed funding or achieve initial traction.
Do I need to be technical?
No! That's the point. We provide CTO-level technical support so non-technical founders can build MVPs. However, you should be willing to learn and understand the basics of your product.
Do I need to quit my job?
Not initially. Many founders start part-time while validating their idea. However, as you progress toward MVP and fundraising, full-time commitment becomes essential.
Can I apply with a team?
Yes! If you already have co-founders, that's great. If you're solo, we can help you find co-founders through our community and university partnerships.
What happens after the program?
After MVP launch, we help you prepare for fundraising (pitch deck, investor intros, cap table). We continue to support portfolio companies with strategic advice, but hands-on technical support ends at MVP stage.
How many startups do you support?
We support 5 startups concurrently. This ensures we can give each startup the attention and hands-on support they need. Applications are competitive.
When does the next cohort start?
We're targeting our first cohort to start in approximately 3 months, with 5 spots available. Apply early as we'll review applications on a rolling basis.
Do I need to be in Kota Bharu?
You need to be committed to building from East Coast Malaysia (Kelantan, Terengganu, or Pahang). We can accommodate remote participation initially, but you should plan to relocate or be based here. The mission is to build the ecosystem on the ground, not remotely.
What if I don't get funding after the program?
Not all startups raise VC funding immediately—and that's okay. We help you explore alternative paths: bootstrapping with revenue, grants (MDEC, MaGIC), or angel investors. The goal is sustainability, not just fundraising.
Apply to ECDC
Next cohort starts in 3 months. 5 spots available.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply early to secure your spot.