It is an initiative by Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (“ABMB”) to assist high-potential young SME companies in Malaysia to break through to the next phase of growth by connecting them to investors including 1337 Ventures Sdn Bhd, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Sunway Innovation Sdn Bhd (Sunway iLab) and any other partners onboarded by the Organiser for BizSmart® Challenge programme from time to time (“Programme Partners”).
The Programme provides learning and coaching as well as brand exposure to selected SMEs and offers preferential financing funding to the selected finalists of BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition 2026 (“BizSmart® Challenge”).
This year, BizSmart® Challenge programme continues Accelerator Edition with:
BizSmart® Challenge is open to SMEs registered in Malaysia with business operations between 1 to 10 years (maximum) and with an annual turnover of between RM500,000 and RM40 million (as at 30 April 2026).
Submission period starts from 22 June 2026 and ends on 2 August 2026 (both dates inclusive). Submissions received before the start date and after the end date will not be accepted.
The submission form is available on the ABMB website at www.bizsmart.com.my. There are no hard copy submission forms available and only online applications will be accepted.
| Step 1 | : | Log on to www.bizsmart.com.my |
| Step 2 | : | Fill in your business details in the online application form & submit it with your business proposal |
| Step 3 | : | Should you wish to fast-track your application, you’re required to
|
| Step 4 | : | You’ll receive an auto-generated email from ABMB upon successful registration. |
Step 1:
Log on to www.bizsmart.com.my
Step 2:
Fill in your business details in the online application form & submit it with your business proposal
Step 3:
Should you wish to fast-track your application, you’re required to
Step 4:
You’ll receive an auto-generated email from ABMB upon successful registration.
A complete business proposal with the following criteria: -
Record a video providing your business overview: -
| Duration | : | Not more than one (1) minute |
| Format | : | MP4/ MOV |
| Dimension | : | 1080 x 1920 (Aspect ratio: 9:16) |
| File size | : | Not more than 10MB |
Duration:
Not more than one (1) minute
Format:
MP4/ MOV
Dimension:
1080 x 1920 (Aspect
ratio: 9:16)
File size:
Not more than 10MB
ABMB and Programme Partners reserve the right to disqualify and/or delete any submission entries that exhibit indecency, vulgarity, obscenity, racial sentiments, profanity, violence or any other elements that are deemed inappropriate by ABMB, including but not limited to infringement of any third-party intellectual property rights. ABMB shall not be responsible for any such disqualification and/or deletion or unsuccessful posting of submission entry due to technical or Internet connection issues or for any other reason whatsoever.
| Stage 1 | : | Fill up the application form & submit your business proposal. You’re encouraged to submit a business pitch video and financial performance documents as follows:
|
| Stage 2 | : | Proposal Screening & Company Profile Check. Top 30 shortlisted participants will be contacted by ABMB |
| Stage 3 | : | Open an ABMB Business Current Account (BCA) & maintain a minimum balance of RM1,000 with ABMB throughout the period of the BizSmart® Challenge |
| Stage 4 | : | Complete the Accelerator Programme/Business Coaching (approximately 40 hours) |
| Stage 5 | : | Top 30 shortlisted participants to showcase product/ service in Business Pitching session and proceed to a 60-second Ultimate Elevator Pitch |
| Stage 6 | : | Top 10 finalists will be shortlisted to pitch in Finale, and potential companies will be selected and stand a chance to win cash prizes and receive business funding from ABMB & its Programme Partners. |
Stage 1:
Fill up the application form & submit your business proposal. You’re encouraged to submit a business pitch video and financial performance documents as follows:-
Stage 2:
Proposal Screening & Company Profile Check. Top 30 shortlisted participants will be contacted by ABMB
Stage 3:
Open an ABMB Business Current Account (BCA) & maintain a minimum balance of RM1,000 with ABMB throughout the period of the BizSmart® Challenge
Stage 4:
Complete the Accelerator Programme/Business Coaching (approximately 40 hours)
Stage 5:
Top 30 shortlisted participants to showcase product/ service in Business Pitching session and proceed to a 60-second Ultimate Elevator Pitch
Stage 6:
Top 10 finalists will be shortlisted to pitch in Finale, and potential companies will be selected and stand a chance to win cash prizes and receive business funding from ABMB & its Programme Partners.
ABMB anticipates notifying the successful participants by phone, email and/or any other channels deemed fit before 15 September 2026.
A committee comprising of Senior Management from ABMB and its Programme Partners will evaluate all entries and their business potential. Only thirty (30) participants will be shortlisted and will enter the next stage.
Top 30 participants will go through an intensive structured Accelerator Programme/business coaching fully funded by ABMB and its Programme Partners, receive valuable advice from experts, as well as brand exposure for your businesses via online platforms.
The brand story of the Top 10 finalists will be featured by ABMB on any platforms/channels deemed suitable and stand a chance to win cash prizes as well as receive business funding from Programme Partners.
Yes, each participant registered must take part in all activities and events organised as part of the BizSmart® Challenge for the entire duration of the programme, including all four (4) classroom trainings and talks (approximately 40 hours) as deemed suitable by ABMB and Programme Partners from the month of September – October 2026.
The training/business coaching courses/Accelerator Programme focuses on marketing, business growth strategy, implementation roadmap, talent management, presentation impact and business solutions sharing session from established names from Programme Partners, ABMB Senior Management team and past alumni.
If the registered participant(s) fails to attend any of the sessions conducted and/or does not complete any task/project within the stipulated time periods, a cogent reason/written explanation should be provided to an ABMB representative. If more than two (2) sessions (either physical or virtual session) are missed, the Participant(s) will automatically be disqualified from the BizSmart® Challenge.
In the event that Participant(s) withdraws halfway from the programme without a cogent reason/written explanation provided and/or becomes uncontactable by ABMB and its Programme Partners, ABMB reserves the right at its discretion to disqualify the Participants’ eligibility automatically and the Participant(s) is prohibited from taking part in future BizSmart® Challenge related programmes.
Participants are not allowed to share any materials related to BizSmart® Challenge on any platforms during the programme period unless informed otherwise by ABMB. ABMB will hold a briefing session with participants.
Participants will continue to participate in and facilitate activities in respect of the BizSmart® Challenge, whether or not they are selected as Finalists or Winners, including activities for promotional purposes. BizSmart® Challenge participants’ involvement includes but not limited to:-
Participants will bear all costs and expenses throughout their involvement in the BizSmart® Challenge unless informed otherwise by ABMB.
You can obtain more information from our website at www.bizsmart.com.my. Alternatively, you can also send an email to alliancebankbizsmartchallenge@alliancefg.com.
BizSmart® Challenge offers prizes as tabulated:
| Description | No. of Prizes | Amount (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand prize winner | 1 | RM250,000 & Media Prizes worth RM90,000 |
| 1st Runner-Up | 1 | RM100,000 & Media Prizes worth RM60,000 |
| 2nd runner-up | 1 | RM50,000 & Media Prizes worth RM30,000 |
| Cradle Partner Selection Award | 3 | RM25,000 RM15,000 RM10,000 |
| ESG ACCELERATOR AWARD | 1 | RM50,000 |
| People’s Choice Award | 1 | RM10,000 |
| 1337 VENTURES INVESTOR CHOICE AWARD SUNWAY iLABS FUTUREX AWARD |
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BizSmart® Challenge also provides infinite opportunities by connecting potential SMEs with Programme Partners such as 1337 Ventures and many more. Besides, Top 30 shortlisted participants are entitled to apply for up to RM2 million preferential rate financing which shall be subject to ABMB’s assessment, approval, and the said business fulfilling the credit / lending criteria imposed by ABMB.
Prior to disbursement, winner(s) have to agree to undergo a thorough background investigation and other examinations, at ABMB and Programme Partners’ discretion. These checks may include but are not limited to verification of identity, source of funds, creditworthiness, and compliance with relevant regulations in Malaysia. The Participant(s)/Winner(s) further agree to provide all requested documentation and information for the purpose of conducting such checks. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in termination of participation.
Any business funding or future dealings of participants with the Programme Partners will be a direct engagement between both parties and shall have no relationship with ABMB.
Yes, you are eligible to participate in the BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition 2026.
Yes, you are eligible to participate in the BizSmart® Challenge Accelerator Edition as we’ve expanded the participation eligibility helps to take your business to the next level. SMEs registered in Malaysia with business operations between 12 months and 10 years (maximum) and with an annual turnover of RM500,000 to RM40 million (as at 30 April 2026).