Talent Unlocked: KMP Partners with Edvance to Build a Future-ready Workforce

Kumpulan Modal Perdana (KMP), a technology-focused venture capital firm under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), has entered into a strategic partnership with Edvance, a global social innovation company that builds, operates and invests in companies transforming the future of education, work, and wellbeing.

As Malaysia rapidly transitions toward a high-tech, innovation-driven economy, the demand for skilled talent has outpaced supply. This poses a significant challenge to startups and tech-driven companies to keep up with global competition. Recent data reveals that 64% of Malaysian organisations report experiencing moderate to extreme skill shortages. With 97% of employers planning to integrate AI by 2028, the urgency to close the digital skills gap and secure qualified talent has never been greater.

This collaboration aims to address the rising concern over the shortage of skilled workers in Malaysia, especially in technology and in the semiconductor sector. Through its portfolio brands such as TalentLabs and Silicon School, Edvance will provide a comprehensive suite of talent and workforce development solutions to help Malaysian startups amplify human agency and unlock new levels of creativity and productivity in the workplace. By equipping talents and organisations with new skills and capabilities, this partnership marks a national effort in supporting the development of Malaysia’s startup talent ecosystem, starting with companies within KMP’s investment portfolio.

“At KMP, we don’t just invest in startups, we invest in the ecosystem,” said Yarham Yunus, Chief Executive Officer of KMP. “This partnership with Edvance addresses a key bottleneck for our startups: talent. By connecting them with skilled, work-ready professionals, we’re not only accelerating their growth potential but also contributing to the national goal of creating a world-class innovation and R&D ecosystem.”

Edvance Has a Proven Track Record in Workforce Development

Through its portfolio companies, Edvance has successfully led and delivered large-scale national workforce development programmes across the region. Partnering with esteemed organisations such as Khazanah Nasional, MDEC, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and Cyberport Hong Kong, Edvance has built a strong reputation for results-driven initiatives.

Leveraging proprietary technology and a robust operating system, Edvance combines innovation with a deep understanding of industry demands. This strategic approach has consistently resulted in high candidate-job matching rates and placement outcomes exceeding 90%, securing roles for talents at global leaders such as Intel, PwC, Deloitte, Experian, Samsung, and more.

Through this partnership, Edvance will strengthen its mission of accelerating human capital development by spearheading targeted talent initiatives focusing on technology and semiconductor roles. Delivered via its portfolio brands, TalentLabs and Silicon School, these initiatives include on-the-job training with job-matching support, HRDCorp-funded upskilling programmes, and career fair engagements focused on the tech and startup ecosystem.

“We are currently in a phase of unprecedented innovation, where an estimated 70% of the skills required for today’s jobs will change by 2030. To remain competitive in the rapidly shifting global economic landscape, Malaysia must adopt a whole-of-nation approach to developing a future-ready and resilient workforce,” said Razin Rozman, Founder and Group CEO of Edvance. “With our proven track record and industry expertise, we will continue to support Malaysians in gaining the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the global economy”

The partnership also reflects national ambitions to make Malaysia a global innovation hub, as outlined in frameworks like the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP 2021–2030) and MySTIE 10-10, both of which highlight the importance of human capital in advancing Malaysia’s position as a global innovation hub. By developing a steady pipeline of skilled digital talent, the partnership strengthens the foundation needed to achieve national targets such as increasing R&D spending to 2.5 per cent of the national GDP by 2025 and commercialising 500 innovative products through platforms like the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS).

The Edvance Advantage

Through this partnership, KMP’s portfolio companies and selected Malaysian startups will benefit from a wide range of strategic opportunities, including:

• Access to Talent: Tap into a pool of trained and qualified young professionals through the K-Youth Development Programme.
• Career Fair Participation: Enjoy exclusive discounts to participate in Malaysia’s largest technology career event—the Tech + Digital Career Fair.
• Talent Acquisition Support: Receive special job listing privileges on TalentLabs, Silicon School, and other Edvance career platforms to source vetted technical talent globally.
• Employer Branding: Strengthen employer brand visibility through targeted media exposure and talent engagement initiatives.
• Employee Upskilling: Upskill current employees and build internal capabilities in collaboration with HRDCorp, TalentCorp, and other national skills development bodies.
• Strategic Advisory: Identify critical skills and knowledge gaps with Edvance’s consulting and advisory services.
• Executive Education: Equip senior leadership with the knowledge, tools, and expertise needed to lead data-driven, Artificial Intelligence-ready organisations through partnerships with world-renowned universities and companies.

These initiatives aim to lower the barriers to talent acquisition while simultaneously building a robust and sustainable pipeline of highly-qualified, technical professionals.

With this partnership, KMP reinforces its role as more than just a capital provider. Instead, it becomes a catalyst for national progress, creating direct impact through workforce development, ecosystem resilience and laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth through its investments.