Armizan: RM1m IP fund could help 50 Malaysian SMEs and start-ups access financing

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Armizan Mohd Ali, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, unveiled a RM1 million Intellectual Property (IP) Valuation Financing Fund. The pilot effort, led by MyIPO, aims to support around 50 Malaysian SMEs and start-ups. The initiative will help SMEs with valuable intangible assets access financing without traditional collateral.

Armizan highlighted the high cost of IP valuation services, which can deter entrepreneurs. The government launched a previous RM10 million pilot project with MIDF and WIPO, encouraging commercial banks to accept IP as collateral. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and MyIPO also launched Malaysia's first IP Valuation Module, training local IP valuers to reduce costs.

The initiative aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan and MyIPO NEXTGEN Strategic Transformation Plan, promoting commercialization of local R&D outcomes. Two-day IP CONFEX 2026 connected over 500 participants and saw MoUs signed between MyIPO and various agencies.