National Technology & Innovation Sandbox honoured at GovMedia Awards 2025
The programme has approved 133 application funding and has disbursed RM46.6m to 111 companies since July 2020.
The National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) clinched the Malaysia Stakeholder Engagement of the Year - Science and Technology category win at the prestigious GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025 for its success in facilitating academia, researchers, tech providers, and start-ups to accelerate the commercialisation and adoption of innovative technologies.
The facility operates through different sandbox categories, catering to various technology readiness levels. Sandbox 1 focusses on testing and validation in a controlled setting, meanwhile in Sandbox 2 supports pilot deployment with limited users, and Sandbox 3 facilitates commercial rollout under monitored conditions. Additionally, NTIS offers funding schemes, including grants and venture capital opportunities, to support promising startups in scaling their solutions.
One of its key objectives is to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation, as many groundbreaking technologies fail to reach the market due to stringent regulations, lack of funding, or limited industry partnerships. This allows for the refinement of technologies, proving their feasibility before scaling up for broader adoption.
Beyond providing regulatory flexibility and funding, the facility actively engages with industry partners and government agencies to foster public-private collaborations. Through industry-government roundtable sessions, the initiative identifies sector-specific challenges and aligns its efforts with national economic priorities. It also organises outreach programmes such as pitching sessions, masterclasses, and demo days, providing startups with mentorship and networking opportunities.
Over the past five years, NTIS has seen significant impact, processing over 924 applications and approving a substantial number of innovative projects across diverse sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, mobility, smart cities, and sports technology.
The facility has also achieved significant milestones, including 133 funding approvals, disbursing RM46.6m to 111 companies from a total approved fund of RM131.2m as well as, accelerating innovation impact nationwide.
Amongst the notable successes through this initiative is the MyCut motorised harvesting tool, developed to enhance productivity in oil palm plantations. This project, which has received NTIS approval under Sandbox 3, exemplifies how the initiative supports industry-driven technological advancements that address critical economic needs.
Looking ahead, NTIS aims to expand its impact by enhancing its regulatory framework, increasing private sector participation, and strengthening international collaborations. During the ceremony, Dr Afnizanfaizal Abdullah, Head of Innovation Commercialisation of Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), remarked “This achievement reflects the collective effort from all organisations under NTIS. NTIS was established as a national initiative to accelerate innovation by providing a safe space for technology testing, validation, and scaling to support local innovators in addressing real-world, national challenges.”
Dr Afnizanfaizal emphasised that the award stands as a testament to the collective effort and strong collaboration between government, industry, academia, and Malaysia’s vibrant startup ecosystem. He then extended MRANTI’s appreciation to MOSTI for their steadfast support in driving the success of NTIS, reaffirming their commitment to advancing this impactful mission and shaping a future powered by innovation for Malaysia.
GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025 celebrates the achievements of government projects and initiatives from both government organisations and private sector companies that are not only transforming Asia Pacific but are also making a significant impact across the globe.
About National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS)
Established under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) is led by the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI) as the lead secretariat, with MIMOS Berhad and Futurise serving as supporting secretariats, and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) as the Funding Partner. NTIS provides a controlled environment for businesses, startups, and researchers to test, refine, and deploy emerging technologies—with regulatory flexibility and strong industry support.
Curious to discover more on what’s possible through our innovation sandbox? Learn more at www.sandbox.gov.my.
The Gov Media Awards is presented by Gov Media Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's government projects and initiatives, please contact [email protected].
