By Harris Hakim
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28: Malaysia has two names on Forbes Asia’s latest 100 to Watch list — and they show very different ways a homegrown business can grow beyond its borders.
One, Bateriku, sends mechanics to motorists stranded with dead batteries. The other, Respond.io, helps companies manage customer conversations across WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, email and voice calls.
Though they operate in unrelated industries, both began by solving a clear problem, built technology around it, and are now pushing past Malaysia in search of scale.
Bateriku: From Dead Batteries to a Service Network
Founded in 2014, Shah Alam–based Bateriku offers on‑demand battery replacement and roadside assistance via its app, website and hotline. It connects motorists to a network of 1,000 mechanics and 2,000 partner workshops across 270 locations.
Its “Pitstops” — retail and service hubs — now number nearly 300 nationwide. Expansion requires more than software: someone must physically reach the stranded driver. After building density in Malaysia, Bateriku entered Indonesia in 2023. A US$7.4 million Series B round in 2024 underscored its ambition to replicate the model abroad.
Respond.io: A Malaysian Base, Global Reach
Respond.io took a different route. Its platform unifies customer communications across multiple channels, with AI tools to handle routine queries and route complex ones to staff.
The company already serves more than 10,000 brands in 180 countries, processing over two billion messages every quarter. In June 2026, it raised US$62.5 million in Series B funding, reporting US$35 million in annual recurring revenue and 169% year‑on‑year growth. Expansion plans target North America and Europe.
Two Paths, One Idea
Strip away the details, and both companies reduce friction.
- Bateriku removes the hassle of finding roadside help.
- Respond.io simplifies managing conversations scattered across platforms.
Neither problem is futuristic, but both show how ordinary frustrations can spark scalable businesses.
Malaysia in the Regional Picture
Forbes Asia’s sixth annual list spans 16 countries, with India leading (19 companies), followed by Singapore (15). Nearly a quarter of entrants are AI‑driven enterprise‑tech firms. Malaysia’s two names stand out for tackling everyday problems in very different ways: one through a dense physical network, the other through globally deployable software.
The Lesson for Entrepreneurs
Going global is not a single strategy.
- For Bateriku, it means rebuilding its service model market by market.
- For Respond.io, it means selling software worldwide without replicating physical infrastructure.
Both approaches prove the same point: a business can be built in Malaysia without Malaysia defining its limits.
WE