The global startup scene has undergone remarkable growth, with halal-focused ventures emerging as a key part of this movement. Muslim entrepreneurs are now creating businesses rooted in ethical practices, catching the attention of investors who seek halal and socially responsible investments.
At the heart of this evolution is the HASAN.VC Accelerator, which supports these founders by providing not just funding but a comprehensive framework for growth. The accelerator goes beyond typical programs by fostering an environment where startups built on Islamic ethics can thrive globally. From tech innovation to social entrepreneurship, Cohort 001 of HASAN.VC has produced trailblazing ventures that are now earning global attention.
At its core, HASAN.VC’s mission is to empower businesses that align with halal principles, ensuring these startups receive the mentorship, funding, and resources they need to succeed. By fostering a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and investors, HASAN.VC plays a pivotal role in scaling ethical ventures.
In this article, we celebrate the notable achievements of the Cohort 001 alumni and their impressive milestones, showing how they’re making waves not just locally but across international markets.
Reyhut Automation – Leading Innovation in Industrial Automation
Reyhut Automation specializes in creating cutting-edge automation solutions for various industries, streamlining operations and increasing productivity. Their technology helps businesses automate processes that traditionally required manual labor, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.
Reyhut Automation clinched the top spot at KelantanStartup 2024, the largest startup competition ever held in Kelantan.
From a staggering 300 applicants, 50 startups were selected to compete, and 13 walked away with prizes. Reyhut’s victory in this highly competitive event highlights its innovative approach to automation and its potential to scale within the tech industry. KelantanStartup is a pivotal platform for emerging entrepreneurs in the region, providing exposure, mentorship, and access to critical resources.
Future Impact:
Reyhut Automation’s innovative automation technology positions the startup as a key player in the industrial sector. As they continue to scale, Reyhut could reshape how industries handle automated processes, particularly in regions where industrial growth is accelerating. Their solutions are likely to drive sustainability and operational efficiencies on a larger scale, both regionally and globally.
Smplhr (formerly talentmarket.id) – A Rising Star in Indonesia’s Startup Ecosystem
Talentmarket.id leverages AI to efficiently match employers with top candidates, streamlining talent sourcing across industries. Their platform combines AI with recruitment expertise, offering services like talent screening and interview scheduling, making the hiring process smoother for both startups and established businesses.
They’ve gained recognition for being among the top startups in the DSLaunchpad/AI incubator, Indonesia’s largest AI-focused startup program, where they refined their model, especially around tech recruitment, and scaled operations rapidly to address industry demand.
By empowering young professionals and enabling companies to access a broader and more qualified talent pool, Talentmarket.id is set to become a critical player in shaping the future of employment in Indonesia and the wider region.
MengajiOnline – Innovating Islamic Learning Tech
MengajiOnline is a startup that is leveraging technology to bring Islamic learning into the digital age. By offering online classes and resources for Quranic studies, it is making Islamic education more accessible for people worldwide. MengajiOnline has become a pioneer in Islamic learning tech, winning awards and gaining international recognition.
The startup secured its place as a Top 10 finalist at the Startup World Cup Malaysia 2024 Finals, a regional competition that brings together high-potential startups from across the nation. This prestigious event is part of a global series that culminates in a world championship, offering startups like MengajiOnline the opportunity to compete on an international stage for funding and recognition.
Additionally, MengajiOnline was named the Winner of the Best New Innovator Award at the Malaysian Commercialization Year (MCY) Summit, an annual event hosted by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). The award recognizes emerging startups that demonstrate outstanding innovation and commercialization potential, positioning MengajiOnline as a leader in advancing Islamic education technology in Malaysia and beyond.
Scaling Global Impact:
MengajiOnline is not only expanding its reach across Southeast Asia but also contributing to the global conversation on how tech can facilitate religious education. With the increasing need for remote learning, especially post-pandemic, MengajiOnline’s platform is bridging gaps in access to quality Islamic education. Its innovations make it easier for Muslims to learn about their faith, no matter where they are.
Qara’a – Pioneering AI-Driven Solutions for Quranic Learning
Qara’a is a dynamic social impact startup that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to modernize Quranic education. Founded in 2018, Qara’a has grown rapidly and now serves over 2 million users across Southeast Asia, with a strong focus on making Islamic education more accessible and engaging.
Their platform is particularly praised for providing modern, easy-to-use tools for learning the Quran, such as tajwid analysis, memorization reminders, and community-driven engagement.
Qara’a was selected as one of the top 3 finalists in the Asia-Pacific region for the Continuum Sparks Awards, emerging as the only for-profit startup from Indonesia among more than 700 entrants. This recognition highlights their innovative approach to Islamic learning, which integrates AI to support users in memorizing the Quran and improving their tajwid.
Furthermore, Qara’a earned national recognition as a finalist at the Apresiasi Kreasi Indonesia 2024, organized by the Ministry of Creative Economy Indonesia. This prestigious event celebrates innovative startups contributing to Indonesia’s creative landscape. Qara’a’s platform provides users with personalized feedback on their Quranic recitations through advanced AI algorithms. The recognition at Apresiasi Kreasi further validates its potential to revolutionize Quranic education.
Future Impact:
Qara’a’s commitment to fostering impactful innovation aligns with the principles of ethical entrepreneurship and Islamic finance. Their recognition in such prestigious competitions show their potential to bring transformative change, especially in regions underrepresented in tech-driven Islamic education. They aim to further expand globally, with a potential pathway to the grand finals of the Continuum Spark Awards.
This is an exciting time for Qara’a as they continue to drive growth in both the Islamic education sector and the broader halal startup ecosystem.
SuamiSihat, GoBarakah, iLuvQuran – Competing on the Global Stage
These three startups have each made significant strides in their respective industries, from healthcare to fintech and Islamic education. SuamiSihat focuses on male health, iLuvQuran is an islamic educational app, and GoBarakah is a fintech startup revolutionizing Islamic finance. Together, they are reshaping the digital landscape for halal startups.
- All three startups were selected as finalists to pitch at the World Summit Awards (WSA) Malaysia Finals.
- WSA is a global platform that recognizes digital innovations contributing to societal impact, with over 182 participating countries.
Key Impacts:
These startups are pioneering digital solutions in areas that are critical for the Muslim community.
- SuamiSihat is making strides in men’s health with its innovative approach to wellness and healthcare. Focused on improving the health outcomes of Malaysian men, SuamiSihat offers a comprehensive platform that provides education, products, and services tailored to men’s physical and mental health.
- GoBarakah is driving financial inclusion for Muslims by offering innovative Islamic fintech solutions. In the upcoming section, we will dive deeper into how they’re making an impact and the significant milestones they’ve achieved.
- iLuvQuran is making Islamic education fun and accessible for children. Their franchise-based expansion has helped them create a network of learning centers across Malaysia, blending physical classes with digital modules. This dual approach enables iLuvQuran to make Quranic education more accessible to children and communities in diverse regions.
These startups are leaders in their industries and are contributing to the growth of the halal digital economy.
Tulibot – AI-Powered Communication for the Future
Tulibot is a social enterprise focused on making communication more accessible for people with hearing loss. Their core innovation is a pair of smart glasses that enable real-time subtitling for group discussions, meetings, and daily interactions. These glasses provide accurate speaker identification and convert audio into visual subtitles almost instantly.
Tulibot took home the First Runner Up award in the prestigious AI APAC Accelerator Program by Meta. This accelerator, designed for AI-driven startups across the Asia-Pacific, recognizes cutting-edge applications of AI technology. Tulibot’s AI-driven technology not only enhances accessibility but also promotes inclusivity by ensuring those with hearing disabilities can actively participate in group discussions and daily interactions.
Future Impact:
As Tulibot continues to innovate, their smart glasses hold the potential to expand into broader applications, including business settings where real-time transcriptions are crucial. With their success in the AI APAC Accelerator, Tulibot is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the lives of millions with hearing impairments across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
GoBarakah – Redefining Islamic Finance through Fintech
GoBarakah is transforming the world of Islamic finance by offering fintech solutions that increase financial inclusion for underserved Muslim communities. As fintech becomes increasingly important for financial accessibility, GoBarakah is at the forefront of this transformation within the halal economy.
Winner, World Summit Awards Malaysia 2024
GoBarakah was named a Winner at the World Summit Awards Malaysia 2024, an accolade recognizing the best in digital innovation with a positive societal impact. The WSA, a nomination-based global contest, selects finalists from each country for its international competition. By earning this recognition, GoBarakah now stands among Malaysia’s top digital innovators and will represent the nation in the global finals in Hyderabad in April 2025. This achievement places GoBarakah on the global stage, spotlighting its role in revolutionizing financial inclusion through digital technology.
Winner, FIKRAace 2024
GoBarakah also triumphed at the FIKRAace 2024, a prestigious Islamic fintech accelerator program led by Malaysia’s Securities Commission. This award underlines GoBarakah’s innovative approach to Islamic finance and its contributions to enhancing the Islamic capital market (ICM) ecosystem. The FIKRA initiative, which focuses on developing Islamic fintech solutions, recognized GoBarakah for its cutting-edge financial inclusion tools. This win signifies GoBarakah’s pivotal role in shaping the future of Islamic fintech, strengthening its position within the ICM and reinforcing its commitment to advancing ethical finance.
1st Place, FIKRAtech 2024 – Expanding Financial Inclusion Through Digital Technology
In addition to winning FIKRAace 2024, GoBarakah also secured 1st place in the FIKRAtech competition for its exceptional work in the category of “Usefulness of Digital Technology in Expanding Financial Inclusion.” This recognition highlights GoBarakah’s continued excellence within the FIKRA program, as it leverages fintech innovations to broaden financial access for underserved communities.
Future Prospects:
GoBarakah’s fintech platform is designed to make financial services more accessible to Muslims who are traditionally excluded from conventional banking systems. Their innovations have the potential to redefine Islamic finance globally, making financial inclusion a reality for millions.
Synbiozymes – Disrupting the Biotech Industry
Synbiozymes is a biotech startup that focuses on creating sustainable solutions for industries that rely on enzymes and biological processes. Their work is disrupting industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing by providing eco-friendly and cost-efficient alternatives.
Selected as one of 12 startups across ASEAN to participate in the UN Women Climate Change Accelerator cohort for 2024, highlighting their commitment to addressing climate change through innovative biotechnology.
Recognized as one of the Top 5 finalists from Peninsular Malaysia in the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia 2024 competition, a prestigious platform that celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship in the realm of sustainability.
Synbiozymes has also secured 2nd place at the GIST-ASEAN Startup Pitch Competition, further solidifying its reputation and credibility as a startup in the biotech industry. This achievement adds to their growing list of accolades and underscores their potential to make significant strides in the field.
Global Impact:
Synbiozymes is tapping into a rapidly growing sector that combines sustainability with innovation. Their solutions have the potential to revolutionize how industries approach sustainability, offering scalable and eco-friendly alternatives that align with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints.
A Glimpse into the Future of HASAN.VC Alumni
The success stories of HASAN.VC Cohort 001 alumni exemplify the tremendous potential of halal startups. From redefining Islamic fintech with GoBarakah to revolutionizing Islamic learning with MengajiOnline, these startups are proving that Muslim-founded businesses can drive global impact while adhering to ethical values.
As the halal startup ecosystem continues to grow, the role of HASAN.VC in nurturing ethical entrepreneurship will only become more important. The accelerator’s support has empowered these startups to reach new heights, and the future promises even greater success.
If you are an ethical investor, angel investor, or startup founder looking to make a meaningful impact, consider exploring opportunities with HASAN.VC. Together, we can nurture the next generation of halal startups, contributing to a more inclusive and ethical global economy.
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