Nazrin Hassan
Chief Executive Officer
Nazrin Hassan is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd. (Cradle), an organisation that manages the Cradle Investment Programme (CIP) which provides early stage funding for technology start-ups.
For over 10 years, Nazrin has dedicated his efforts to promoting early stage funding for technology start-up.
Nazrin is educated in London with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B hons) from the University of Buckingham in 1994 and completed his Master of Laws (LL.M) in 1997 at King’s College London. Nazrin was also a committee member of the United Kingdom Executive Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC).
He is a former member of Technopreneurs Association of Malaysia (TeAM), an organisation that represents all technology entrepreneurs in Malaysia where he lobbied tirelessly for a development fund to narrow it. This eventually led to the successful introduction of the Cradle Investment Programme (CIP) in June 2003 with a fund allocation of RM100 million from the Malaysian Government.
CIP was initially managed by Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP) and Nazrin became the programme’s Head of Structuring in July 2003. In 2004, he was appointed as the programme’s Acting Head as well as its Strategy and Policy Advisor.
He left the programme in 2005 to focus on his own technology start-up and continued to be an active member of TeAM.
Nazrin returned to Cradle in October 2007, after being appointed as its Chief Executive Officer by the Ministry of Finance, after it was spun out from under MAVCAP. It continues to spur the growth of early stage funding for technology entrepreneurs.
Nazrin and his team are also working to encourage the creation and development of an angel investment ecosystem in Malaysia through the setting up of the Angel Tax Incentive, as well as the Malaysian Business Angel Network (MBAN) of which he is secretariat chairman. He is a member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum’s (WEF) think-tank and a Council Member of Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia (ADFIM).
Nazrin served as a board member of the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC) from April 2014 to February 2015 and is currently a board member of Cradle’s venture capital arm, Cradle Seed Ventures (CSV).
Razif Aziz
Chief Operations Officer
A senior executive with over 20 years of experience in a variety of different roles ranging from business development, corporate, legal & regulatory affairs, communications and sales & marketing in various industry sectors such as defence, construction, FMCG, telecoms & broadcast, government and biotechnology.
Razif is passionate about the dynamics between business and Government, acquired through roles with a major industry regulator and an agency tasked with the development of the Malaysian biotech sector which made him recognise the value of mastering regulatory and public sector frameworks to facilitate business growth. He wrote extensively on the subject matter as a Guest Columnist for the local science newspaper, The Petri Dish, from 2011 to 2012.
He also had the privilege of participating in Malaysia’s development efforts to become a major global biotech player when he joined Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) in 2006. As head of a team charged with the development of local biotech entrepreneurs, he oversaw the management of the Malaysian Government’s BioNexus Programme from 2008 to 2012 which saw 217 companies receive Bionexus Status from the Ministry of Finance. The BioNexus Programme is a ‘virtual’ incubator designed to support the successful development of biotech entrepreneurs through an array of business support resources and services including funding and capacity building. During that time, Razif had the opportunity of learning from a diverse group of entrepreneurs about their challenges, trials and tribulations.
Razif read Law at Coventry Polytechnic (1991) and is a Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn, London (1992).
Razif was appointed as Chief Operations Officer of Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) effective January 2016.
Juliana Jan
Chief Investment Officer
Juliana Jan joined Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd in 2004 and is currently the Chief Investment Officer, responsible in managing the company’s latest investment portfolio expansion called Direct Equity 800 (DEQ800) and Co-investment initiative.
Juliana has an extensive and diverse experience in market research and grant as well as venture capital funding. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Economics from the Missouri University Science and Technology – Rolla.
Juliana started as an analyst under the developmental grant (CIP50) team and in early 2009, she headed the developmental grant (CIP Catalyst) evaluation team. Then in 2010, she moved to head the commercialisation grant (CIP500) evaluation team and eventually the entire CIP500 unit. With the evolution of Cradle and the initiation of its equity play, she moved to head the equity team.
Juliana continues to be committed in building and developing strong growth potential start-ups in the country specifically in early stage through her work in Cradle. She played a major role as part of the working committee in the setting up of the various products in Cradle and the development of processes, such as the CIP Catalyst (developmental funding), CIP500 (seed funding) as well as the Co-investment andDEQ800 initiatives in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
Prior to joining Cradle, Juliana started her career as a market research executive in a technologyfunding agency, which provides both grant and venture capital funding, where her industry and market research projects varied from consumer product and biotechnology to other high technology industries. This has given her a strong background in spotting market trends, analysing gaps in the market and identifying market needs.
After two years in the market research division and another year in the CEO’s office, Juliana joined the investment unit in the same organisation as an analyst where she acquired experience in venture capital funding.
With her career experience, Juliana understands the needs of the market and the issues in the funding ecosystem from prototype development in the pre-seed stage, the seed stage, up to the later stage of fund raising.
Juliana is very passionate about helping entrepreneurs and start-ups. The knowledge and know-how she gained prior to joining Cradle and also at Cradle has been invaluable in enabling herto assist Cradle recipients by advising them and sharing information about the market and funding criteria.
Khoo Chung Wei
Vice President, Finance & Accounts
Khoo Chung Wei, is the Vice President of Accounts & Finance at Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), a chartered accountant that has extensive senior-level management experience in financial accounting, strategic planning, operations analysis, joint ventures, and organisational and information systems development. He has demonstrated success in diverse environments within the financial services sector.
A member of two chartered accountants association – Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) since January 2011 and Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) since July 2011. In 2006, Chung Wei graduated with First Class Honors in Accounting and Finance from University of London. He earned his Diploma in Economics at University of London in 2004. Chung Wei is also certified in Quantitative Finance (CQF) from Fitch Learning, United Kingdom, one of the largest providers of financial services training globally.
Chung Wei began his career with Ernst & Young, Malaysia in 2006. He was the team leader for annual statutory audit in financial services industry including Government Investment Arm, Investment Banks, Commercial Banks, Development Banks, Asset Management companies and unit Trust Funds; with audit focus area of investments and treasury. During his service with EY, Chung Wei was the core implementation and advisory team for MFRS 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and MFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures projects for the Government investment arm and a large banking group.
In 2011, Chung Wei joined Khazanah Nasional Berhad as Vice President of Finance until May 2015 before returning to EY in 2015. During his time in Khazanah, Chung Wei transformed the monthly financial close process by developing business intelligence templates based on Excel/Visual Basic; preparation time of monthly management accounts from extracting raw data from accounting system to preparation of management report presented to senior management was reduced from ten days to four days. He also successfully consolidate group process using Excel/Visual Basic reporting packages whereby completion time has been reduced from three weeks to 1 week.
Prior to Cradle, Chung Wei was with Standard Chartered Bank as the Senior Manager in Country Finance Division. During his service, he was the Country Champion and Project Manager for MFRS 9 Financial Instruments Implementation. A part from this, he was the Financial reporting lead for group reporting and preparation of financial statements, including financial risk and capital disclosures.
Azman Hood
Vice President, Investment DEQ800
Azman Hood began his career as a Research Executive with the Corporate Planning unit of Malaysia Building Society Berhad. Having just graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting) from Acadia University in Canada, it was a role that allowed him to combine his love for learning new things with his keen eye for financial detail. Followed by a short stint with Tenaga Risk Management Services Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of TNB, Azman took the leap into entrepreneurship as a freelance writer, focusing on tertiary education content and business plans. In addition to providing audio and written content for annual reports, career guides and e-learning software applications, he found a niche in conducting market research and financial projections for business plans.
From there, he immersed himself in high technology startups as business development manager for a small but innovative group, and was in charge of writing proposals for fund raising from the Government, banks, institutional and individual investors. This resulted in a deep working knowledge of the funding mechanisms and fiscal incentives provided by the Government in support of innovation funding.
With this knowledge, Azman joined the Government-linked agencies such as Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Malaysia Debt Ventures and currently he is the Vice President of Investment – DEQ800 at Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, in a technology and business due diligence and investment management capacity. He finds fulfillment in working with these funding institutions as he is able to critically analyse the business potential of new emerging technologies, which contribute directly towards creating an innovative, high-income Malaysian economy by the year 2020.
An avid yet unprolific angler, he quotes Calvin’s Dad in saying “The key to enjoying your Job, is to have a Hobby that is much worse.”
Xelia Tong
Vice President, Investment CIP300 & Head of ATIO Unit
Xelia Tong How Yin is the Vice President of Grant Division (CIP300) and heads the Angel Tax Incentive Office (ATIO) at Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), an organisation that provides early stage funding and investment from Pre-Seed to Series A for potential and high-calibre technology start-ups.
At Cradle, Xelia’s key function in the Grant Division is to select outstanding and deserving entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to provide them with start- up funds to build and commercialise their products/services. She is also tasked to manage a growing number of angel investors and to source and curate a pool of investable deals for the angels in her role as the Head of ATIO.
Xelia started her 17 years career in the Finance and Accounting circles with Audit Engagements in KPMG Malaysia as soon as she graduated from university.
She later pursued the role of Senior Account Manager at Malaysia Debt Ventures (“MDV”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance Malaysia. Her achievements include bringing in an international games development company that had set up a world-class games development studio in Malaysia to develop games for the PS3, Xbox and Nintendo Wii and successfully structured a multi-million cross border financing for a Customer that has secured projects from the biggest telecommunication company in Indonesia. During her years with MDV, she also recorded highest amount of deals generated and approved for 4 consecutive years.
Prior to joining Cradle, Xelia spent three years as Vice-President at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) where she was in-charge of managing the RM200 million Creative Industry Fund that was allocated for the development of Malaysia’s creative industry such as film-making, music, animation, content development and other related activities. In addition to her role in managing the Fund, she was also tasked by the Bank’s management and Board to lead the set-up of the Commercial Funding Unit for the Bank after she had undertaken a few major projects within the Bank that include securing a RM 250 million corporate loan for the Bank in relation to a development project under the purview of the Government and.
Xelia graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex University, London.
Munir Shah
Vice President, Corporate Services
Munir Shah is the Vice President of Corporate Services for Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle) where he is in- charge of Legal Advisory, Human Capital Management and company secretarial functions for Cradle.
Munir started his career as a practising lawyer in Messrs. Lee Hishamuddin as soon as he was called to the Malaysian Bar in 2002.
He has vast experience and knowledge in legal practice and advisory, especially in the area of civil litigation and corporate advisory. Munir also served as a committee member of the Negeri Sembilan Bar Council from 2004 to 2005.
Munir is also a certified Professional Intellectual Property Manager by the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM), in support of his passion in advising entrepreneurs on patentability of new inventions or innovations, as well as patent search, drafting of patent specification, filing and prosecuting domestic and international patent applications.
Munir graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B (Hons) from the International Islamic University.
Eliza Elias
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Partnership
Eliza Elias is the Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships of Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle).
Eliza holds overall responsibility for growing revenue, increasing market share and contributing to company’s growth and profitability, which encompasses Organisation Marketing Strategy, Market Research, Communication Design and Planning in line with overall company strategy and objectives.
A graduate from the University of Bedforrdshire, UK (previously known as University of Luton) in Public Relations and Communications, Eliza has more than 14 years of experience in the Malaysian Start-ups’ Ecosytem.
She transformed Communications within the organisation from an administrative function into a strategic business partner and a key enabler for Cradle’s rapid growth and success. She works closely with investment team and ecosystem players to develop effective communication and marketing strategy for a high performing workforce in the local funding industry.
Previously, Eliza was the Head of Marketing for Cradle. Her role includes overseeing the organisation’s overall marketing activities. She managed the Corporate Communications unit, which oversees all internal and external communications as well as event activities to help Cradle build its credibility as an early stage start-ups influencer.
Prior to Cradle, Eliza began her career with the Technopreneurs Association of Malaysia (TeAM) – an association that furthers the interests of technopreneurs and assists in the development of the digital economy in Malaysia. Her main scope of work was to assist the management in coordinating all aspects of public relations activities as well as event management. During her tenure with TeAM, Eliza was actively involved in various projects such as The National Games Engine Project (NGEP), The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research project and the TeAM book entitled Go For Broke! Tales of Technopreneurship!
In 2007, Eliza joined Cradle. Eliza is very passionate about sharing her experience and knowledge with entrepreneurs. With her diverse working experience and skills in the local funding industry, she brings a deep understanding of intercultural relations and global corporate culture to Cradle, its entrepreneurs and partners.
Dzuleira Abu Bakar
CEO, Cradle Seed Ventures
Dzuleira Abu Bakar was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Cradle Seed Ventures (CSV) in August 2016 and is responsible for managing the operations of CSV and is the General Partner of the Fund. Dzuleira looks at high growth businesses in the tech sector both within Malaysia and regionally. CSV, is a growth stage fund is mandated to invest across the verticals in the technology sector regionally.
In total, Dzuleira has over 12 years of experience in technology & PE investing with expertise in corporate finance, legal & governance, deal structuring and stakeholder management.
Prior to coming on board CSV, her last position was the Vice President of Investment at the Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP), responsible in identifying and investing in high growth tech/digital companies, setting up of VC funds as well as managed strategic partnerships, corporate/government relations and stakeholder management.
She also worked companies such as Usaha Tegas Management where she oversaw the Group’s fund on funds and private equity business, Maybank Investment Bank in the Equity Capital Market’s department as well as in Khazanah Nasional, as part of the Hasanah Foundation. Earlier on she was the Legal & Business Devp Director at Astronatic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), government backed entity in satellite technology, among others responsible in launching of Malaysia’s remote sensing satellite, RazakSAT launched by Space-X where she assisted in the launch manifest.
Dzuleira holds a Masters Degree in Management from Universiti Malaya (UM) and a Bachelors Degree in Law from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).