Inaugural Add Venture Forum 2025 Marks 7 Years of Talent-Industry Engagement by Leave a Nest in Malaysia
Cyberjaya, Selangor – On April 26, 2025, Leave a Nest Malaysia successfully hosted the first Add Venture Forum Malaysia 2025 (AVF MY 2025) at UMCCed, Cyberjaya, marking a major step forward in strengthening industry-academia engagement and career discovery in the technology and innovation sectors.
Previously known as the Career Discovery Forum, the Add Venture Forum (AVF) is a revitalized talent-industry platform designed to empower students and graduates to explore future career paths by engaging with startups, leading corporations, and government agencies. It also serves as a space for dialogue between young talent and industry professionals to shape the evolving technological and workforce landscape.
The event, organized in collaboration with Aerodyne Flight Institute and Cyberview as Main Partners, and supported by Platinum Bio, ELSA, and SOLS, attracted 171 participants including undergraduates, graduates, and researchers, alongside representatives from 52 organizations spanning startups, SMEs, and public agencies.
The forum opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Ang Kah Heng, Head of Innovation and Industry Development at Cyberview, followed by an opening address by Dr. Arief I. Zamani from Leave a Nest Malaysia. The keynote was delivered by Mr. Megat Fazrul Azlin, Vice President of TalentCorp, titled “Impact Study of AI, Digital, and Green Economy on the Malaysian Workforce.” This was followed by a high-impact panel discussion, “Empowering Talent for Global Impact,” featuring panelists Dr. Nazri Bajuri (CitySage), Mr. Mudzakkir Hatta (Aerodyne Malaysia), and Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad (Malaysia Design Council – MRM). The session was moderated by Ms. Siti Shazwani Ahmad Suhaimi, Leave a Nest Malaysia.
A standout Company Introduction Session highlighted organizations at the forefront of technology including Aerodyne Flight Institute, Platinum Bio, Lekir Tech, Tenaga Alam Sekitar Kita, Robopreneur, Sustainable Food Asia, and MindRobotics, representing sectors such as drone tech, genome editing, digital platforms, renewable energy, and robotics.
Participants also took part in the interactive “Validate Your Crazy Idea (VYCI)” session, pitching their innovative ideas and receiving real-time feedback from industry representatives. This session reinforced the forum’s goal of cultivating creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and deeper understanding of industry challenges.
The day concluded with a Career Development Workshop, “Career Success Blueprint: Career Hub Navigation & Creating Impact Success”, delivered by Karen, Project Manager at JobStreet. Her engaging talk provided practical guidance for navigating modern career paths in an increasingly digital and dynamic world.
AVF MY 2025 received resoundingly positive feedback from both participants and companies, confirming its role as a vital platform for fostering connections, catalyzing innovation, and nurturing Malaysia’s future-ready workforce.