Tag: dailyprompt-1856

The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 16: Why Favoriot Must Look Beyond Malaysia for Success

The Frustration of a Homegrown Startup

Reflecting on Favoriot’s journey, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of frustration. Not because we haven’t done the work but because our technology isn’t good enough. In fact, we’ve built a robust Internet of Things (IoT) platform designed to make real and lasting impacts in industries that need it most.

Yet, despite our dedication, our struggle isn’t about technology. It’s about something deeper, something more challenging to fix—acceptance.

I’ve lost count of how often I’ve sat in meetings with potential Malaysian clients, passionately pitching the benefits of Favoriot’s IoT platform. The pitch is solid, and our solution is tailor-made for local industries, but there is indifference, hesitation, and, more often than not, a preference for foreign products.

I’ve asked myself this question countless times: Why do local businesses hesitate to trust homegrown solutions, even when they are just as good—if not better—than foreign options?

The Reluctance to Trust Local Innovations

It didn’t take long to realize the harsh truth—many local businesses lack confidence in Malaysian-made technology. There is an ingrained belief that foreign products are superior. Whether it’s a smartphone, a software platform, or an IoT solution, many decision-makers seem convinced that if it’s made overseas, it must be more reliable, advanced, and worthy of investment.

It’s not an isolated incident. I’ve spoken to many fellow entrepreneurs, and they share similar frustrations. We have world-class solutions, yet the market is slow to recognize them.

And why? Because the absence of a big international brand name automatically places us in a secondary category.

I understand how this mindset developed. We grew up with foreign brands dominating the market, from cars to consumer electronics, and we were conditioned to trust those familiar names. But the world has changed. Malaysian companies like Favoriot are now fully capable of competing globally. Yet, this deep-seated preference for foreign solutions persists.

The Branding Struggle

Another challenge I’ve faced is branding.

Favoriot is still a young company compared to established international giants. Building brand recognition takes time, and in a world where first impressions matter, a well-known logo can often make or break a deal.

It’s not that our technology is lacking—far from it. In fact, our solutions are designed explicitly for Malaysia’s unique industrial challenges. But when our brand is lesser-known, it sometimes feels like our innovations don’t get the fair consideration they deserve.

I hate to admit it, but perhaps some of the fault lies with us. Have our marketing efforts been polished enough? Have we communicated our value as effectively as we should? Could our messaging be more powerful?

As a technical person, I’ve always been more comfortable with the innovation side of things than the marketing side. But I’ve realised that having a great product isn’t enough. The story behind it, the way we communicate its impact—those elements are just as crucial.

A Harsh Reality: The Global Perception Problem

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that this issue isn’t unique to Malaysia. When we’ve pitched Favoriot overseas, we often encounter the same scepticism—just in reverse.

Some countries take strong nationalistic pride in supporting local solutions. You’re automatically viewed as an outsider if you’re not one of their own, which is ironic. In Malaysia, businesses prefer international brands. In other countries, they choose their own homegrown solutions.

So where does that leave Favoriot? How do we break this cycle?

The Lack of Support for Local Tech Startups

Another challenge that cannot be ignored is the lack of strong support systems for local startups.

We hear a lot about innovation in Malaysia. Government agencies hold conferences, initiatives, and startup accelerator programs. But when it comes to actual adoption, corporations or government bodies still lean towards foreign tech providers when they choose a solution.

This is discouraging, to say the least. We don’t need just moral support—we need tangible action. More businesses need to take a chance on local innovations. More government agencies need to lead by example and implement local solutions. That’s how an ecosystem of innovation thrives.

Looking Beyond Malaysia: Breaking Barriers

Given these obstacles, I’ve realized that while Malaysia will always be home, Favoriot cannot afford to limit itself to local borders.

I’ve had more success pitching Favoriot overseas than I have within Malaysia. Many international clients are more open to exploring new solutions and less influenced by branding. If the technology meets their needs, they will give it a chance.

Going global isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity.

By expanding internationally, we position Favoriot as a global player. Ironically, this global recognition could make us more attractive to Malaysian clients. It’s unfortunate, but gaining international credibility is sometimes the only way to be taken seriously at home.

Overcoming Challenges at Home

Despite everything, I remain hopeful. There are several steps we need to take to overcome the challenges in Malaysia:

  1. Changing Mindsets – We need to keep pushing the narrative that Malaysian innovations are just as good as, if not better than, foreign solutions.
  2. Strengthening Our Brand – This means investing in marketing and ensuring our branding is powerful and persuasive.
  3. Improving Our Messaging – We must communicate our value proposition clearly and convincingly.
  4. Advocating for Local Adoption – The government and corporate sectors need to step up in supporting local startups.

These aren’t easy battles. But they are necessary ones.

A Final Thought

Favoriot’s journey has been far from easy. There have been moments of frustration when I wondered if it was worth the fight. But I refuse to let these challenges define us.

We are more than a local startup. We are a global company with the potential to change industries, make a real impact in IoT, and prove that Malaysian-made solutions can compete on the world stage.

Yes, the path forward is full of obstacles. But obstacles are meant to be overcome.

Favoriot will not just survive. We will thrive.

Favoriot Entrepreneurship Stories

  1. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 16: Why Favoriot Must Look Beyond Malaysia for Success
  2. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 15: From Lecture Halls to Investor Pitches
  3. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 14: To Exit or Not to Exit?
  4. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 13: Does Winning Awards Help a Startup Succeed?
  5. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 12: The Dream of M&A Exit
  6. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 11: The Rocky Road of Smart Cities
  7. The Story Behind Favoriot — Part 10: Age Does Not Matter in Business
  8. The Story Behind Favoriot — Part 9: Leaving the Comfort Zone
  9. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 8: The Frustration of Unanswered Emails and Missed Opportunities
  10. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 7: The Task of Finding Favoriot’s First 10 Customers
  11. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 6: Expanding The Business Models
  12. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 5: Finding the Right Fit
  13. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 4: How Favoriot Became More Than Just an IoT Platform
  14. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 3: Why No One Wanted Our IoT Platform—And How We Turned It Around
  15. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 2: Turning Failures into Milestones
  16. The Story Behind Favoriot – Part I: The Humble Beginnings of Favoriot