A quiet revolution is happening in the tech space throughout the world, driven by the emergence of high-tech startups that are leveraging AI and other technologies to reshape industries. In Southeast Asia, this revolution is redefining what it means to be a tech startup in the Muslim world. Entrepreneurs across the region are proving that high-growth, tech-driven businesses can also be ethically grounded, purpose-driven, and halal. These are not just companies; they are the building blocks of a new digital economy – one that aligns with the values of millions of Muslims worldwide while delivering innovation at a global scale.
At the heart of this transformation is HASAN.VC, a people-powered venture capital firm that goes beyond traditional investing, acting as a true catalyst for the Halal Tech ecosystem. Through its online accelerator, mentorship programs, robust network, and strategic funding, HASAN.VC is empowering a new generation of founders who are tackling real-world challenges with technology, business acumen, and halal principles.
The five startups featured in this article are just a glimpse into the next wave of Halal Tech leaders. From AI-powered healthcare staffing to Islamic fintech and smart automation, these companies are not only solving real-world challenges but also laying the foundation for a global Halal digital ecosystem. If you want to know where the future of ethical innovation is being built, this is where to start.
Qara’a – The Future of Quran Learning Through AI
In a world where digital technology is shaping the way people learn, traditional methods of Quran education are facing challenges. A study conducted by the Institute of Qur’an Sciences (IIQ) Jakarta in 2023 revealed that a significant percentage of the Muslim population lacks proficiency in Quranic recitation, and younger generations are increasingly disengaged from conventional learning methods. Recognizing this gap, Qara’a has built a revolutionary AI-powered Quran learning platform designed to make Islamic education more accessible, engaging, and personalized.
Unlike standard Quran apps that offer simple reading and audio features, Qara’a integrates AI-assisted recitation checking, providing users with real-time feedback on their pronunciation and fluency. The platform also offers a structured curriculum covering Hijaiyah (Arabic alphabet), Tajwid (rules of Quranic pronunciation), and Murajaah (The practice of reviewing and reinforcing memorized Quranic verses), allowing learners to systematically improve their recitation skills. Additionally, Qara’a’s verified verse submission feature enables students to receive expert feedback from certified Quranic scholars, ensuring high accuracy in their learning process.
This innovative approach has positioned Qara’a as Indonesia’s No. 3 education app on the App Store, ranking alongside global giants like Duolingo and Google Classroom. Since 2021, Qara’a has consistently been among the top 3 in the education category, reaffirming its role as the country’s leading AI-powered Quran learning platform. This sustained success reflects not only user trust but also the platform’s ability to bridge the gap between modern technology and traditional Islamic education.
With a growing user base that already spans millions of downloads, Qara’a is not just a learning app – it is a movement toward modernizing Quran education while maintaining the authenticity and depth of traditional teachings. Backed by HASAN.VC, Qara’a is set to expand its reach, partnering with Islamic schools, universities, and educational institutions to bring AI-driven Quran learning to the masses. Additionally, as it continues to dominate the education category, Qara’a has also emerged as a strategic platform for brands and entities looking to engage with Indonesia’s Muslim market, offering direct access to a highly engaged, values-driven community.
GoBarakah – Revolutionizing Social Assistance with E-Vouchers
Charitable giving has always been a core pillar of Islamic finance, but traditional donation models suffer from inefficiencies, high administrative costs, and leakages that dilute the impact of contributions. Many donors lack visibility into where their money is going, while beneficiaries often struggle with bureaucratic delays in receiving aid. GoBarakah, an award-winning FinTech platform, is solving this problem through its integrated e-voucher system, ensuring that 100% of donated funds reach those in need.
By digitizing social assistance, GoBarakah provides real-time tracking and reporting, giving donors full transparency over how their contributions are being used. The platform has already processed over $500,000 in transactions, benefiting 15,000 recipients, and is rapidly expanding to onboard more fund owners, corporate donors, and vendors. Its impact has been widely recognized, earning the World Summit Awards Malaysia 2024, the Fikra Ace Accelerator 2024 win, and a spot as a top 10 regional finalist in the 2024 Collective Continuum Spark Awards.
Further strengthening its mission, GoBarakah recently signed an MOU with Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB) to build a FinTech-powered ecosystem for social financing under the PayNet Cambah program by Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet). This collaboration enhances HLISB’s value-based intermediation (VBI) initiatives, leveraging GoBarakah’s technology to channel donations and funds more efficiently to underserved communities.
With an immense market opportunity of $3.17 billion in Malaysia alone, GoBarakah is poised to reshape the future of philanthropy, ensuring that social assistance is efficient, transparent, and scalable. Backed by HASAN.VC, the platform is now expanding its reach, enabling more people to give with confidence and impact.
HealthPro – Transforming Healthcare Staffing with AI
The healthcare sector in Indonesia, like many other developing markets, is struggling with inefficiencies in workforce distribution. Hospitals and clinics often face difficulties in hiring the right medical professionals at the right time, while many healthcare workers, especially those seeking flexible employment, find it challenging to secure stable job opportunities.
HealthPro, an AI-powered on-demand staffing platform, is bridging this gap by connecting healthcare providers with vetted professionals in a seamless, automated manner. By integrating AI-driven matching and automated hiring processes, HealthPro allows hospitals to efficiently manage their workforce while ensuring that qualified professionals can find work on demand.
The platform’s impact and innovation have been widely recognized. HealthPro was named one of Indonesia’s top 10 health-tech innovations by the Ministry of Health and also won the Bayer Foundation’s Women Empowerment Award, standing out among global health-tech startups. These achievements underscore the company’s role in revolutionizing healthcare staffing in the region.
With HASAN.VC’s backing and other strategic partners’ support, HealthPro is scaling its operations and expanding its impact, ensuring that healthcare accessibility and staffing efficiency continue to improve across Indonesia and beyond.
XENTRI Dynamics – AI-Driven Security & Risk Management
In industries where security and operational efficiency are critical, traditional surveillance methods often fall short. Many companies still rely on manual monitoring, which is slow, labor-intensive, and prone to human error, leading to missed threats and operational inefficiencies. This is especially problematic in high-risk industries like oil & gas, telecommunications, mining, ports, and infrastructure, where even a small oversight can result in financial losses, environmental damage, or safety hazards.
XENTRI Dynamics by EnygmaAI is solving this challenge with an AI-powered risk management platform that integrates real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and autonomous surveillance technologies. The system is designed to provide automated threat detection, anomaly identification, and advanced mapping capabilities, allowing businesses to identify risks before they escalate. By leveraging AI-driven surveillance via drones, CCTV, and sensor networks, XENTRI Dynamics eliminates the need for constant manual supervision, making security operations smarter, faster, and more cost-effective.
Already securing major contracts with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, XENTRI Dynamics has gained traction across Malaysia and Indonesia. The startup is also planning to expand into key industries such as telco towers, oil refineries, and large-scale industrial sites, where security and infrastructure monitoring are crucial. XENTRI Dynamics is scaling rapidly, aiming to set new global standards for AI-powered security solutions, ensuring businesses can operate with confidence in an increasingly complex risk environment.
Synbiozymes – Sustainable Protein for a Food-Secure Future
Food security is becoming an urgent challenge in Southeast Asia, with rising poultry feed costs threatening the affordability of essential protein sources. Malaysia, for example, imports over 90% of its poultry feed protein, making it highly vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. Meanwhile, millions of tons of chicken feathers – a protein-rich byproduct – are discarded as waste every year. Synbiozymes is tackling this inefficiency by developing a biotech-driven process that transforms feather waste into a sustainable, high-protein poultry feed alternative.
Using a proprietary blend of enzymes and bacteria, Synbiozymes converts chicken feathers into a digestible protein source that is 50% richer in protein than soybean meal and 21% more cost-effective. This solution helps reduce dependence on imported grains, allowing poultry farmers to cut costs while maintaining productivity.
Synbiozymes is scaling production to meet growing demand. The company is expanding its processing capacity, forming partnerships with animal feed manufacturers, and positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable protein solutions. By turning waste into nutrition, Synbiozymes is not just improving food security – it’s shaping the future of sustainable agriculture in the region.
The startup’s groundbreaking approach has earned national recognition, winning Shell LiveWIRE 2024 after emerging as the top finalist from a competitive pool of 180 entrepreneurs. This achievement highlights the impact and scalability of its solution in addressing food security challenges.
With its innovative technology, growing industry partnerships, and national recognition, Synbiozymes is poised to redefine the future of animal feed – offering a scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution that strengthens food security across Southeast Asia and beyond.
The Halal Tech Revolution is Just Beginning
What you’ve just read is not just a list of promising startups – it’s a glimpse into the future. These companies are rewriting the rules of technology and entrepreneurship, proving that innovation doesn’t have to come at the expense of values. They are tackling some of the world’s pressing challenges – from food security and financial inclusion to AI-driven education and next-generation safety- all while staying rooted in ethics, transparency, and sustainability.
But this is just the beginning. The Halal Tech movement is gaining momentum, and the opportunities are limitless. The real question is: where do you fit in? Are you an investor looking to back the next wave of ethical, high-growth businesses? An entrepreneur ready to build something groundbreaking? Or a passionate supporter eager to witness the rise of a new economic paradigm?
HASAN.VC is not just funding startups – it’s shaping the future. The companies it supports today will set new standards for Halal innovation, driving impact across industries and beyond borders. The Halal economy is evolving at a pace never seen before, and those who recognize its potential now will be the ones leading it tomorrow.
The future of Halal Tech is being written right now. Will you be part of the story?
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