Youth Forward: Creating the Next Wave
of Entrepreneurship Innovators
At a Glance
The International Entrepreneurship Convention (IEC) 2026 is the inaugural flagship programme from the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), IIUM. It positions the university as a serious regional player in the entrepreneurship education space across Southeast Asia.
Student entrepreneurs, industry leaders, ecosystem builders and emerging startups from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and beyond will converge in Putrajaya for two days of keynotes, workshops, live pitching and high-value networking.
This is not a lecture. IEC 2026 is where ideas get pressure-tested, connections get made, and the next wave of ASEAN founders take shape.
Full Schedule
| 8:00 am | Networking Registration & Networking |
|
| 10:00 – 11:00 am | Keynote 1 Financing Youth-Led Ventures in ASEAN |
Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, IIUM President & RHB Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary, Yayasan AlBukhary |
| 10:00 – 11:00 am | Concurrent Pitching for a Shortlisted Group |
|
| 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Youth Dialogue Empowering the Next Wave of Innovators |
Dr Lukman Raimi (Judge) |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Break Networking Lunch |
|
| 2:00 – 4:00 pm | Panel Discussion 1 Transforming Campus Ideas into Market-Ready Solutions |
Dr. Wahida (Judge) UTHM (Judge) |
| 4:00 – 4:15 pm | Break Tea Break |
|
| 4:15 – 5:30 pm | Session Malaysian Industrial Experience |
MRANTI (Judge) MDEC (Judge) |
| 6:30 – 10:00 pm | Evening Sunset Cruise / Dinner (International Participants Only) |
| 9:00 – 10:00 am | Keynote 2 Future-Focused Social Entrepreneurial Strategies |
Dr. Annie Dayani |
| 10:00 – 11:00 am | Hot Seat Session | AKKPT Winners (2, Student) UiTM, UTHM |
| 11:00 – 11:30 am | Break Networking Break |
|
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Panel Discussion 3 Scaling Startups Across ASEAN Markets |
Dr. Izzat, Nagoya Institute of Technology (Judge) Speakers TBC |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm | Break Networking Lunch |
|
| 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Panel Discussion 4 Youth Forward: Creating the Next Wave of Entrepreneurship Innovators |
Arif Tukiman, RunCloud Toni Firmansyah, SR12 Dr. Nor Amy Ismail, Wahed (Judge) |
| 3:30 – 5:00 pm | Closing Closing Ceremony, Dinner, Award & Certificate Presentation |
Welcoming address by the Rector, keynote address and award presentation by the Guest of Honour |
Who You Will Hear From
Convention Venue
Malaysia's federal administrative capital, purpose-built and world-class. Putrajaya offers grand convention infrastructure, easy international access, and one of the most striking cityscapes in Southeast Asia.
Collaborative Partners
Position your organisation at the centre of ASEAN's next generation entrepreneurship movement. Each tier delivers real visibility, direct engagement and access to 300+ future founders and decision-makers.
Our Collaborative Partners
Latest Updates
The Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), IIUM is proud to announce the inaugural International Entrepreneurship Convention 2026, bringing together student entrepreneurs, industry leaders and speakers from across ASEAN on 7-8 October 2026 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Read article →For enquiries on registration, exhibition booths, or collaborative partnership packages, reach out to the EDC Secretariat directly.