SOME 40 innovative products and services will be selected and showcased as 2020’s Featured Innovations at the TECHFEST Live! in Penang.
The three-day digital festival – both virtual and through specially curated physical events, as well as live broadcasted conversations – will take place at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Baru from Nov 18 to 20.
Penang will also host the run up to the World Congress on Information Technology as ROAD-TO-WCIT Malaysia simultaneously at the same venue, hosting some 120 global speakers and subject matter experts. ROAD-TO-WCIT Malaysia is a lead-up to the World Congress on Information Technology WCIT Malaysia 2022.
WCIT2020 Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Low Ngai Yuen said an important highlight of TECHFEST Live! would be to put the spotlight on companies that are disrupting the old and doing new things that have high societal values and give them exposures and opportunities to build traction and explore market access.
“These companies which we will feature are companies that more people should know about because they are really solving problems. We are giving them three minutes to promote their solutions on live broadcast, ala a home shopping programme but for tech solutions.
“Additionally, the founder will also be interviewed to increase audience’s affinity to their stories. Of course, the companies will also have access to pitch to investors,” Low explained in an interview at Komtar today.
“The TECHFEST that we are building comes from a vision to make conversations on technology inclusive and accessible to everyone.
“The digital festival will be packed with immersive reality experiences and interactive programmes which will have insights from industry leaders, present the latest technology and share inspiring impact stories from across the world. An example of conversations to expect include 5G technology as a mean of societal transformation.
“At the same time, we will highlight George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang – is culture and tradition ready to embrace technological advancement?”
She cited DABAO, the latest product of WebBytes, as an example for a featured innovation.
WebBytes co-founder Ooi Boon Sheng said DABAO is an organic and sustainable solution to ensure the success of Offline-To-Online business strategies especially for F&B ventures.
“It promises live broadcast and streaming on FB and Instagram; from the merchant’s kitchen to increase audience engagement and allow potential customers to watch and then order food plus join along the discussion on food while engaging in other online activities.
“DABAO also allows businesses to share behind-the-scene stories and pictures, combining entertainment, F&B, marketing and social media all in one,” Ooi elaborated.
SOLS Energy is another company that will be featured.
A licensed renewable energy specialist operating in Malaysia, SOLS Energy designs, distributes, instals and maintains solar energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial properties. It also trains the Orang Asli as high-paying installers to reduce poverty amongst indigenous communities.
“We specialise in small scale solar PV installation for corporate employees homes,” said SOLS Energy strategy director Hakim Albasrawy, whose company is backed by Petronas.
“Home solar puts the power in the hands of every homeowner to reduce environmental impact.”
For more information about the digital festival, check out http://techfest.my.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad