U Mobile is opening its 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and AI test environment to more Malaysian startups by working with Cradle Fund, the government agency for early-stage startups that says it has supported more than 1,300 tech companies since 2003.
Contents
Quick facts
- Who: U Mobile's Enterprise Innovation Platform (EIP) and Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd., an agency under MOSTI.
- What startups get: a chance to test 5G-A and AI ideas in the EIP sandbox, with U Mobile's engineers and industry contacts.
- Running since: September 2026, including a Cradle Roadshow in Sarawak.
- Recent events: MYStartup Pre-Accelerator Demo Day at the EIP Hub on 28 October, and Cradle LIVE! Summit 2026 on 4 and 5 November at The Arch Galeries, Kuala Lumpur.
- Catch: access depends on each startup's engagement and technical fit, and funding or commercial deals are not guaranteed.
What the EIP actually is
The EIP is U Mobile's open innovation setup that links enterprises, tech companies, universities and startups so they can try 5G-A and AI solutions before taking them to market. Its EIP Hub is a physical space for testing and demonstrations. The Cradle deal puts that sandbox in front of a much larger pool of founders than U Mobile could reach on its own, while Cradle brings its programmes and possible funding routes.
The network behind it has been building fast. U Mobile hit 90% 5G coverage in Malaysia nine months ahead of schedule, and its ULTRA5G now reaches about 2.3 million people in Sabah.
What both sides said
"Malaysia has no shortage of bold ideas and talented innovators. Startups need the right environment to test their solutions and understand how they can address real business needs," said Woon Ooi Yuen, U Mobile's Chief Technology Officer.
Cradle Group CEO Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke said Cradle wants to see more Malaysian startups "develop the scale and competitiveness to succeed regionally and globally", with industry partners like U Mobile bridging them to market access and commercial growth.
Why it matters for Malaysian startups
Testing a 5G-A product usually needs a live network and engineers most early-stage teams cannot afford. A sandbox lets a founder find out whether an idea works on real infrastructure before spending on it. U Mobile says the summit and demo day are also how it picks participants for future EIP programmes, so being seen at these events counts.
Startups can apply or read more on U Mobile's EIP page.
