Students from around the world presenting their startups during the six-month challenge.

Leading the Malaysian cohort was Bryan Chu Yong Xiang, 16, who secured 2nd place and USD 2,000 in prize money with his startup Crave Cave, a snacks and beverages brand offering fast, grab-and-go treats, followed by Wong Kean Jee, 16, who placed 3rd and won USD 1,500 with Deskmindr, a compact desk companion designed to help users manage tasks and reduce digital clutter, and Sean Puon, 17, who achieved 4th place and USD 1,000 with Willforge, a discipline training app that helps users build consistency through structured commitments and accountability. Their achievements highlight Malaysia’s growing strength in nurturing young entrepreneurial talent capable of competing at an international level.

Expop is a startup challenge for Gen Z startups, bringing together over 200 students from more than 18 schools across 5 countries to build and launch real ventures. Participants collectively developed their startups, progressing through a structured six-month journey from ideation to execution.

Andrew Roberts and Naija Agarwal, undergraduates from the University of Pennsylvania, emceeing the Expop Startup Challenge Grand Finale.

Throughout the programme, students built real ventures by developing prototypes, creating websites and pitch decks, engaging customers, and generating sales, culminating in a live global finale.

The competition featured a USD 7,500 prize pool, alongside access to exclusive opportunities such as startup accelerator programmes, expert mentorship, and networking with venture capitalists and industry leaders.

“Expop is here to change the way we think about learning. It’s not a passive experience, you actually have to go out there and build. That process is where real learning happens, and it is one that has been truly transformative for so many students,” said Harsha, Co-Founder of Expop.

Speakers and mentors from organisations including Google, HP Tech Ventures, LinkedIn, Slack, and The Motley Fool also contributed insights across product development, branding, marketing, and investor pitching.

Harsha, Co-Founder of Expop, addressing participants during the Expop Startup Challenge Grand Finale.

“Congratulations on this milestone and being part of one of the coolest entrepreneurial communities there is. Wishing you the absolute best as this next generation of great problem solvers,” said Abdurrahman Bhatti, Founder of Ghost Pacer, which was acquired by Peloton.

“The external ecosystem of support has helped lend credibility to the projects our students are building. Opportunities like office hours and webinars with experienced entrepreneurs have helped them connect their ideas to the real world. It has been powerful to see students identify real community needs and take initiative to address them,” said Reina Meek, Teacher at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, USA.

Sean Puon, 17, from Malaysia, who secured 4th place at the Expop Startup Challenge.

For Malaysian finalist Sean Puon, the experience stood out for its collaborative ecosystem.

“The entire thing about Expop is the community. I have never seen another mentorship programme with such an active community that comes together to give feedback, collaborate, and support one another,” said the 17-year-old from Malaysia, Sean Puon, who is also the 4th place winner of the Expop Startup Challenge.

With three Malaysians placing among the top five globally, the results signal Malaysia’s rising presence in the international startup ecosystem, driven by a new generation of young innovators who are not just learning about entrepreneurship, but actively building and launching real ventures.