1337 Ventures reinforces its commitment to empowering Malaysian startups by investing in Arus Oil, a local startup transforming waste into renewable energy. This investment, made through the 1337 Accelerator Fund I, highlights it’s dedication to backing early-stage startups that are driving sustainability and innovation in Malaysia.
Founded by Syazwan Majid in 2017 as a community-driven initiative, Arus Oil began by providing residents of Subang Jaya with centralized recycling points for materials like used cooking oil (UCO). Recognizing UCO’s potential as a renewable energy source, Syazwan, along with co-founders Dr. Chatichai Chong and Louis Ong, shifted focus entirely to oil recycling, turning it into a sustainable business now at the forefront of Malaysia’s waste-to-energy solutions.
Under the guidance of 1337 Ventures, Arus Oil has established key strategic partnerships and secured over 20 corporate clients, driving both B2C expansion and reseller opportunities. 1337 Ventures continues to support Arus Oil in refining its mobile collection systems, advancing R&D, and scaling operations to position the company for long-term growth.
Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures, commented on the investment, “Investing in startups like Arus Oil highlights the importance of sustainability in the startup ecosystem. By helping them forge key partnerships and scale their operations, we’re enabling them to create a lasting environmental impact while building a scalable and robust business model.”
Arus Oil has already made a significant impact, having collected over 2 million kilograms of used cooking oil across the Klang Valley. Their efforts gained further momentum with the launch of a Drop-Off Center in Subang in May 2024, and their recent partnership with TNG eWallet allows users to recycle used cooking oil and receive direct payments through their eWallets—a forward-thinking initiative aimed at boosting community participation in sustainability.
Syazwan Majid, Founder of Arus Oil, added, “1337 Ventures has provided us with not just essential capital but also strategic connections that have been crucial to our growth. Their belief in our mission has enabled us to secure partnerships that are fueling our expansion.”
The 1337 Accelerator Fund I, co-funded by seasoned angel investor and venture capitalist Asgari Stephens and former COO of JobStreet.com, Suresh Thiru, alongside 1337 Ventures, was established to bridge the seed funding gap in Malaysia. The fund strategically targets high-potential startups like Arus Oil, one of the standout successes from 1337 Ventures’ Alpha Startups™ Pre-Accelerator program.
1337 Ventures remains committed to nurturing Malaysia’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Startup founders with bold ideas and a passion for growth are invited to pitch their startups at Pitch Tuesday: https://1337.ventures/pitch-tuesday
Aspiring founders, particularly first-time entrepreneurs, are also encouraged to join our Alpha Startups™ Online, a free initiative that equips startups with the skills needed to navigate the early stages of business. Learn more at https://1337.ventures/asda
