Hi there, my name is Zahaby Zainuddin, and I’m thrilled to share my story with you. I’m one of the co-founders of Foodlab, a company that I started with four other passionate entrepreneurs. With my background in the food industry as a Process Technologist for ten years, I have been able to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. It’s been a fulfilling journey so far, and I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s dedicated to making a positive impact on the food industry.
At Foodlab, we provide a collaborative space for food entrepreneurs to start and scale their food businesses. Our shared cloud kitchen, or co-working kitchen space, is designed to offer a variety of services to help our members succeed. From top-notch facilities and equipment to marketing support and access to markets, we are committed to providing comprehensive assistance to our members.
Foodlab has been operating for over two years now. We launched our MVP or pilot operation in September 2020, during the pandemic, and it’s been an exciting journey ever since. Our ideation process began when we had the opportunity to incubate under the SeedLab Incubator program, which was supported by PETRONAS and TATA Consultancy Services. Thanks to their support, we were able to develop and refine our concept, leading to the creation of Foodlab.
Throughout our incubation period, we encountered numerous domain challenges. One significant pain point that stood out was the difficulty faced by micro and new entrepreneurs in starting and growing their business. We recognized the importance of addressing this issue and conducted extensive research, including statistical analysis, surveys, and interviews, to gain a better understanding of the problem. With a clearer picture of the situation, we were able to focus on developing an effective solution to help budding entrepreneurs overcome this obstacle.
Malaysia is currently facing challenges across its food supply chain, from agriculture to food production. At Foodlab, we aspire to contribute to the ecosystem by supporting F&B and FMCG businesses, as well as FoodTech ventures. Our goal is to become a leading enabler for food entrepreneurs and provide them with the necessary access to succeed. Whether it’s through technology or innovative food solutions, we strive to be a facilitator of growth and development in the food industry.
At this stage, we are placing our focus on F&B, long shelf life food, and small-scale heavy-duty equipment. While we continue to explore opportunities in FoodTech, we are committed to striking a balance between the interests of food entrepreneurs and the opportunities that come our way.
The biggest challenge we faced so far was starting a new concept in the middle of a pandemic. It was a daunting task, and we had to remain patient, determined, and adaptable. We knew that as a start-up, we needed to be nimble and pivot quickly. Overcoming this challenge required a lot of grit and persistence. We had to move quickly and try new things to adapt to the constantly changing market. Despite the difficulty, we were able to successfully launch our MVP and continue to grow our business.
On the other hand, we have had several memorable experiences related to our business. Starting our MVP during a pandemic was a huge challenge, as we had to navigate market fluctuations and adapt to an ever-changing landscape. Witnessing the trend and interest in our business model from various organizations, as well as the acceptance and support from our food entrepreneurs, has been a continuous validation of our efforts. As a brick and mortar start-up, we have experienced tremendous growth, both for ourselves and for our food entrepreneurs. Witnessing the success of our community has been a truly rewarding experience, and we are excited to see what the future holds for our start-up.
In our experience, having a team with related experience and passion is essential to running a successful business. When team members are passionate about the business, they are more likely to be invested in its success and put in the necessary effort to make it thrive. Having related experience also helps ensure that team members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to execute a business strategy effectively. With the right team in place, any strategy can be executed and the business can continue to grow and succeed.
Personally, I believe in the motto “start small and get better”. Building a business takes time and effort, and it’s critical to enjoy the process and embrace the ups and downs along the way. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the big picture, but by focusing on the small steps and improving each day, we can gradually build the foundation for long-term success. Ultimately, I believe that success is a journey, not a destination, and it’s important to enjoy the ride.
The story of Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya and venture builders like Kitchen Town Berlin, SOSV, and Y-Combinator inspire me. Since the inception of this platform, I have changed my perspective on business. I now view it as a means to create impact and sustainability, rather than focusing solely on profit.
I would like my company to be remembered as impactful towards the local food ecosystem. My greatest wish right now is for Foodlab to operate at its highest potential, becoming a hub for every food entrepreneur. To achieve this, we are seeking investors who believe in our vision.
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