SparkHub takes Maldivian startup stories to Malaysia

SparkHub has concluded Huddle Malaysia, its first international community-led event, bringing together Maldivian founders and professionals based in Malaysia to share experiences and strengthen connections within the overseas Maldivian startup community.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, the event marked an expansion of SparkHub’s flagship Huddle platform beyond the Maldives. The initiative aims to provide informal spaces for founders to exchange practical insights drawn from building and scaling businesses, while maintaining ties with the wider Maldivian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Since its launch in the Maldives, Huddle has developed into a forum for founder-led discussions focused on real-world challenges, lessons, and decision-making. The Malaysia edition was curated to highlight Maldivian entrepreneurs who have established ventures in Malaysia or use the country as their operational base, reflecting the growing presence of Maldivian businesses overseas.

The session featured four Maldivian founders. Mohamed Fauzaan, founder of Pluk, spoke about his transition from fintech into developing an AI-based product in Malaysia, outlining the process of rebuilding networks while applying prior industry experience. Maail Rasheed, founder of Tiny App Studio Sdn Bhd and a senior engineering manager at Mindvalley, shared his experience as an independent app developer and how user feedback shaped the evolution of his products into focused ventures serving a global audience.

Shafiu Hussain, co-founder and chef at Oviato, discussed his background in product design and his current work on simplifying emerging technologies, including digital wallets, for wider consumer use. Ahmed Afrah, co-founder of Family Room Coffee, described his shift from forensic work to entrepreneurship, and how a specialty coffee concept that began in the Maldives has since expanded to Malaysia.

Speaking at the event, SparkHub Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Hussain Jinan said the Malaysia edition represented a significant step in the organisation’s development. He noted that SparkHub’s programmes and community-driven models had been tested locally since 2018, and that taking Huddle abroad signalled a move towards supporting Maldivian founders wherever they choose to build their businesses.

Family Room Coffee supported the event as its coffee partner, contributing to networking among participants. The gathering was attended by more than 50 members of the Maldivian community in Malaysia and was held as a closed event to encourage open discussion and peer learning.