International
Entrepreneurship
Convention IEC 2026
and IEC Startup Pitching Competition
Youth Forward: Creating the Next Wave
of Entrepreneurship Innovators
At a Glance
Why This
Convention
Matters
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, panel discussions, live pitching, hot seat sessions 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.
October 2026
Putrajaya
Guest of Honour
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri DiRajaDr. Zambry Abd. Kadir
Minister of Higher Education Malaysia
Officiates the Closing Ceremony, delivers the Closing Address and presents the IEC 2026 awards.
View the Closing CeremonyWho You Will Hear From
Speakers
Full Schedule
Programme
| 8:00 – 9:00 am | Registration & Networking |
| 9:00 – 10:00 am | Booth Setup / Exhibition |
| 10:00 – 11:00 am | Keynote Address Innovate Locally, Scale Globally: A Roadmap for Future Founders Raja Azmi Adam, Google Cloud |
| 11:00 – 11:30 am | Break Tea Break / Networking Session |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Invited Speaker Session 1 Empowering the Next Wave of Innovators Dr. Lukman Raimi |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm | Lunch Lunch / Networking Session Booths remain open for browsing |
| 2:00 – 4:00 pm | Panel Discussion 1 Transforming Campus Ideas into Market-Ready Solutions Dr. Siti Norwahida Shukeri, UBD · Founder, The Prayer Mat Prof. Madya Dr. Nazirah Mohamad Abdullah, UTHM |
| 4:00 – 4:15 pm | Break Tea Break / Networking Session |
| 4:15 – 5:30 pm | Panel Discussion 2 Malaysian Industrial Experience Muhammad Fikri Ashraf Abdullah Hasin, MRANTI Ts. Mohd Redzuan Affandi Abdul Rahim, MDEC |
| 5:30 – 8:00 pm | Break Check-In, Dinner, Free & Easy Check-in for registered participants with accommodation only |
| 9:00 – 10:00 am | Invited Speaker Session 2 Future-Focused Social Entrepreneurial Strategies Dr. Annie Dayani Ahad Abdullah |
| 10:00 – 11:00 am | Hot Seat Session Hang Sufi Md Hang Tuah, UMK (AKKPT Winner) Azmi Basharudin, IIUM (Winner IIUM Takrim) |
| 11:00 – 11:30 am | Break Tea Break / Networking Session |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Panel Discussion 3 Scaling Startups Across ASEAN Markets Dr. Izzat Fahimuddin Mohamed Suffian, Nagoya Institute of Technology Neelesh Bhatia, InnovNation.ai |
| 12:30 – 2:00 pm | Lunch Lunch / Networking Session |
| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | Invited Speaker Session 3 From Ideas to Impact: Shaping Future Entrepreneurs Arif Tukiman, RunCloud |
| 3:00 – 3:10 pm | Closing Ceremony Arrival of IIUM University Management Committee and Invited Guests Dress code: Batik / Office Casual |
| 3:10 – 3:15 pm | Arrival of the Rector of IIUM and the Secretary General, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Yang Berbahagia Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Sri Dr. Osman Bakar, Rector of IIUM Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ts. Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Hassim, Secretary General, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia |
| 3:15 – 3:35 pm | Arrival of the Minister of Higher Education Malaysia Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir, Minister of Higher Education Malaysia National Anthem Negaraku and IIUM Anthem, Doa Recitation Introductory remarks by the Master of Ceremony Welcoming remarks by Yang Berbahagia Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Sri Dr. Osman Bakar, Rector of IIUM |
| 3:35 – 3:55 pm | Closing Address Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir, Minister of Higher Education Malaysia |
| 3:55 – 4:00 pm | Gimmick Launching for Closing Ceremony |
| 4:00 – 4:40 pm | Awards Awards & Certificate Presentation Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir, Minister of Higher Education Malaysia |
| 4:40 – 5:00 pm | Group Photography Session, Exhibition Tour & Hi-Tea Session |
| 5:00 pm | End of Programme |
Convention Venue
Pulse Grande Hotel
IEC 2026 will be hosted at Pulse Grande Hotel in Putrajaya, a dedicated hotel venue suited for a 300+ pax convention with conference sessions, networking, exhibition activity and guest hospitality in one destination.
Collaborative Partners
Become Our Partner
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.
- Official Title Sponsor
- Largest logo placement
- Logo on all publicity materials
- Opening ceremony recognition
- Speaking opportunity
- VIP seating
- Exhibition booth (Premium)
- Social media campaign
- Exclusive networking session
- Custom sponsorship benefits
- Prominent logo placement
- Exhibition booth
- Speaking opportunity during panel session
- Social media recognition
- VIP invitations
- Certificate of appreciation
- Medium logo placement
- Exhibition booth
- Social media acknowledgement
- Certificate
- Logo on conference materials
- Exhibition booth
- Social media acknowledgement
- Certificate
- Logo on appreciation slide
- Social media acknowledgement
- Certificate of appreciation
Our Collaborative Partners
Latest Updates
News & Announcements
Counting Days Prior to IEC 2026
A coordination meeting between EDC IIUM, the IEC 2026 Organising Team, IIUM OCAP and VMU was recently held to strengthen collaboration and discuss preparations for the upcoming International Entrepreneurship Convention (IEC) 2026.
Read article →IEC 2026 Welcomes Universities, Institutions and Industry to Join the Convention
IEC 2026 is now open for registration to local and international universities, institutions, organisations, and private-sector participants. Join this inclusive platform to connect, exchange ideas, showcase innovation, and explore new opportunities in entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Read article →Site Visit to Pulse Grande Hotel, Putrajaya
The IEC 2026 organising team conducted a site visit to Pulse Grande Hotel Putrajaya as part of the preparations for the upcoming International Entrepreneurship Convention. The visit focused on reviewing venue facilities, accommodation arrangements, and event logistics to ensure a seamless experience for participants and delegates.
Read article →Get in
Touch
For enquiries on registration, exhibition booths or collaborative partnership packages, reach out to the EDC Secretariat directly.
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)