07 October 2025
Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference 2025 Reimagines Boundaries to Empower SME Growth
Press Release
Kuala Lumpur, 7 October 2025 - As Malaysian SMEs continue to navigate a rapidly evolving business landscape, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (“Alliance Bank” or the “Bank”) today hosted the second edition of its flagship Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference 2025 (“ABBBC2025” or the “Conference”), which kicked off with a bold call to action for Malaysian SMEs to challenge conventional limits and embrace new possibilities.
The Conference addressed the pressing realities facing Malaysian SMEs, from navigating digital disruption and limited funding access, to managing talent shortages and rising customer expectations. Beyond celebrating the resilience of local businesses, the conference offered practical tools, connections, and insights to help SMEs future-proof their business models.
Held at W Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the one-day event carried the theme “Boundaries Reimagined: Bridging Innovation with Vision” and convened over 25 industry leaders across nine sessions. The Conference drew a full house of over 700 entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators eager to explore strategies for sustainable growth in today’s dynamic economic environment.
“Today’s audiences are no longer satisfied with being spoken at; they want to be truly seen, heard, and felt. Recognition alone doesn’t build loyalty; real connection does. At Alliance Bank, our focus is not just on being noticed in the marketplace, but on building lasting relationships with entrepreneurs and business owners. Through the ABBBC2025, we are proving that we don’t just talk about supporting businesses; we stand alongside them, championing their growth with actions that matter. This is what it means to be The Bank For Life for our business customers,” said Mr Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.
What set ABBBC2025 apart was its relevance, focusing on issues and opportunities that resonate across industries, from retail and F&B to technology and professional services. By ensuring accessibility through affordable pricing and programming tailored for businesses of all sizes, the Conference opened its doors to entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. The agenda was comprehensive, equipping participants with real-world tools, actionable insights, and connections to investors and mentors who can accelerate their journey. At the same time, the Conference fostered an ecosystem, curating a powerful lineup of thought leaders whose stories inspired, challenged, and empowered entrepreneurs to push boundaries.
This year’s ABBBC brought together prominent entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, including Dato’ Calvin from Oriental Kopi, Datin Dr Winnie Loo from A Cut Above, Timothy Tiah from Colony Coworking Space, Ivor Lim and Chew Hoi Meng from HYGR, Yeoh Chen Chow from 1% Advisory & Coaching, Aizat Rahim from Borong, Soo Sze Yang from Mr D.I.Y., and Pinn Yang from Foodie Media. They shared first-hand experiences on building businesses with purpose and agility at a time when customer expectations and market dynamics are shifting rapidly.
In line with the evolving needs of SMEs, ABBBC2025 introduced specially curated panels. A women-focused session spotlighted the journeys of entrepreneurs reshaping leadership norms in their industries. Another addressed the practical realities of AI and digital disruption, with leaders from Mindhive, HiiVolt, Borong, and AppWorks discussing how businesses can turn technological shifts into a competitive advantage. Staying true to the theme of innovation, Radius Khor of Kee Nguyễn – Vietnam Coffee, joined Kelly Low and Johnny Ong of Superdough to explore how entrepreneurs can reignite stagnant markets by anticipating and adapting to evolving customer demands.
The success of ABBBC2025 builds on the strong momentum of last year’s conference, which attracted more than 500 participants. The enthusiastic turnout this year underscores the growing appetite among SMEs for platforms that not only celebrate their resilience but also provide practical solutions to the challenges of scaling in today’s competitive environment.
As part of the speaker lineup, BizSmart® Challenge alumni such as Superdough and recent Accelerator Edition’s finalists Ventamin, Mindhive, BioLoop, Gula Cakery, and HiiVolt lent their voices to panel discussions on innovation and growth. Their presence underscores how the Challenge continues to nurture high-potential businesses and connect them with the resources, mentorship, and market opportunities they need to scale.
ABBBC2025 is an extension of the Bank’s BizSmart® Challenge initiative, which continues to be a catalyst for SME growth. With this Conference, Alliance Bank reaffirms its commitment to being more than just a financial services provider and continues to stand alongside entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey — championing their ambitions, empowering their growth, and building lasting relationships that go beyond banking.
Furthering this commitment, Alliance Bank is honoured to be the Title Sponsor of the upcoming Cradle LIVE! Startup ASEAN Summit 2025, taking place on 3 to 5 November in Kuala Lumpur; which is another platform to scale innovation and support entrepreneurs across the region.
For more information about the Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference, please visit www.alliancebank.com.my/bizsmart-business-conference.
The Conference addressed the pressing realities facing Malaysian SMEs, from navigating digital disruption and limited funding access, to managing talent shortages and rising customer expectations. Beyond celebrating the resilience of local businesses, the conference offered practical tools, connections, and insights to help SMEs future-proof their business models.
Held at W Hotel Kuala Lumpur, the one-day event carried the theme “Boundaries Reimagined: Bridging Innovation with Vision” and convened over 25 industry leaders across nine sessions. The Conference drew a full house of over 700 entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators eager to explore strategies for sustainable growth in today’s dynamic economic environment.
“Today’s audiences are no longer satisfied with being spoken at; they want to be truly seen, heard, and felt. Recognition alone doesn’t build loyalty; real connection does. At Alliance Bank, our focus is not just on being noticed in the marketplace, but on building lasting relationships with entrepreneurs and business owners. Through the ABBBC2025, we are proving that we don’t just talk about supporting businesses; we stand alongside them, championing their growth with actions that matter. This is what it means to be The Bank For Life for our business customers,” said Mr Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank.
What set ABBBC2025 apart was its relevance, focusing on issues and opportunities that resonate across industries, from retail and F&B to technology and professional services. By ensuring accessibility through affordable pricing and programming tailored for businesses of all sizes, the Conference opened its doors to entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. The agenda was comprehensive, equipping participants with real-world tools, actionable insights, and connections to investors and mentors who can accelerate their journey. At the same time, the Conference fostered an ecosystem, curating a powerful lineup of thought leaders whose stories inspired, challenged, and empowered entrepreneurs to push boundaries.
This year’s ABBBC brought together prominent entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, including Dato’ Calvin from Oriental Kopi, Datin Dr Winnie Loo from A Cut Above, Timothy Tiah from Colony Coworking Space, Ivor Lim and Chew Hoi Meng from HYGR, Yeoh Chen Chow from 1% Advisory & Coaching, Aizat Rahim from Borong, Soo Sze Yang from Mr D.I.Y., and Pinn Yang from Foodie Media. They shared first-hand experiences on building businesses with purpose and agility at a time when customer expectations and market dynamics are shifting rapidly.
In line with the evolving needs of SMEs, ABBBC2025 introduced specially curated panels. A women-focused session spotlighted the journeys of entrepreneurs reshaping leadership norms in their industries. Another addressed the practical realities of AI and digital disruption, with leaders from Mindhive, HiiVolt, Borong, and AppWorks discussing how businesses can turn technological shifts into a competitive advantage. Staying true to the theme of innovation, Radius Khor of Kee Nguyễn – Vietnam Coffee, joined Kelly Low and Johnny Ong of Superdough to explore how entrepreneurs can reignite stagnant markets by anticipating and adapting to evolving customer demands.
The success of ABBBC2025 builds on the strong momentum of last year’s conference, which attracted more than 500 participants. The enthusiastic turnout this year underscores the growing appetite among SMEs for platforms that not only celebrate their resilience but also provide practical solutions to the challenges of scaling in today’s competitive environment.
As part of the speaker lineup, BizSmart® Challenge alumni such as Superdough and recent Accelerator Edition’s finalists Ventamin, Mindhive, BioLoop, Gula Cakery, and HiiVolt lent their voices to panel discussions on innovation and growth. Their presence underscores how the Challenge continues to nurture high-potential businesses and connect them with the resources, mentorship, and market opportunities they need to scale.
ABBBC2025 is an extension of the Bank’s BizSmart® Challenge initiative, which continues to be a catalyst for SME growth. With this Conference, Alliance Bank reaffirms its commitment to being more than just a financial services provider and continues to stand alongside entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey — championing their ambitions, empowering their growth, and building lasting relationships that go beyond banking.
Furthering this commitment, Alliance Bank is honoured to be the Title Sponsor of the upcoming Cradle LIVE! Startup ASEAN Summit 2025, taking place on 3 to 5 November in Kuala Lumpur; which is another platform to scale innovation and support entrepreneurs across the region.
For more information about the Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference, please visit www.alliancebank.com.my/bizsmart-business-conference.
Alliance Bank Group Chief Executive Officer Kellee Kam (middle), with Alliance Bank management team (second from left), Group Chief Digital and Information Officer Nantha Kumar, Group Chief Business and Transaction Banking Officer Raymond Chui, Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Dr. Aaron Sum, and Group Chief Corporate and Institutional Banking Officer Teoh Chu Lin, together onstage with the speakers at Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference 2025 after the token of appreciation ceremony.
Alliance Bank Group Chief Executive Officer Kellee Kam welcomes guests and participants to the Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference 2025.
(from left) Moderator Peter Yong with speakers Alliance Bank Group Chief Business & Transaction Banking Officer Raymond Chui, CEO of Colony Timothy Tiah, and Founder of 1% Advisory & Coaching Yeoh Chen Chow, during the “Fail Forward: Embracing Failure as a Catalyst for Success” panel session at the Alliance Bank BizSmart® Business Conference 2025.
