01
Preliminary
Jul – Sep 2026
300→100
~30% advance
Online Material Review
"Is this a real attempt at solving a real problem with a real artifact?"
Applications open
Building Malaysia’sAI Future Together
MAIC Nexus Challenge — Innovate. Collaborate. Elevate.
01 — About
A national stage for AI builders.
The Malaysia AI Conference & Challenge (MAIC) is a government-endorsed, open-track AI competition convening the country's most ambitious teams — students, professionals, entrepreneurs and independent builders — to ship breakthrough applications and infrastructure across six industries that matter to Malaysia's future.
02 — Competition Format
Three stages. One champion.
300 teams enter. 100 advance. 10 reach the live final. One champion wins.
02
Semi-Final
Oct 2026
100→10
10% advance
Live Demo Day
"Is this team actually building something that works and can scale?"
03
Grand Final
Nov 2026
10→Champion
Top 3 selected
Live Grand Final + AI Conference
"Is this team investable and is the product ready to commercialise?"
03 — Industries
Pick your industry.
Every team selects one industry from T1 to T6. Locked at submission — one team, one industry.
T1
AI For Clean Energy
Grid optimisation, demand forecasting, asset monitoring, clean-energy intelligence.
T2
AI For Healthcare & Medical Systems
Clinical decision support, medical imaging, health-data systems, public-health AI.
T3
AI For Financial Services & Fintech
Fintech, risk modelling, fraud detection, capital-markets AI, inclusive finance.
T4
AI For Smart Manufacturing & Semiconductors
Smart factories, process optimisation, defect detection, semiconductor automation.
T5
AI For Public Services & Smart Cities
Smart cities, citizen services, mobility and government modernisation.
T6
AI For ESG & SDG
Climate, sustainability, biodiversity, social impact and UN-aligned outcomes.
04 — Prizes
Cash. Equity. Shared benefits.
Prize amounts vary by placement. Winner benefits are grouped below so every team can see exactly what applies.
★ Champion
RM200,000
Cash + equity
1st Runner-up
RM100,000
Cash + equity
2nd Runner-up
RM50,000
Cash + equity
+ Special Awards
5 category awards · cash only · criteria announced closer to judging
RM5,000each
Placement award packages are separated from team benefits. Shared benefits are listed once below.
All participants
Everyone who joins
- +Merit certificate
All finalists
Top 10 teams
- +Huntier talent pipeline listing
Top 3 winners
Equivalent winner benefits
- +Trophy
- +AI Forum + Expo access on Grand Final day
// terms apply Read the full Terms & Conditions for prize disbursement, equity terms and disqualification clauses.Read Terms →
05 — Schedule
Key dates · 2026
Indicative timeline. Final dates confirmed at application open.
11 June 2026
Official Launch EventUOB Plaza 1, KL · Registration opens to public
Post-Launch · June 2026
Applications Open+ AI Bootcamp begins (online, free)
Live Now
September 2026
Preliminary Judgingonline material review · professionals across industries · first week of Sep
Stage 02
End Sept 2026
Preliminary Resultstop 100 teams advance to Semi-Final
Announcement
October 2026
Semi-Final Demo DayKuala Lumpur · Venue TBC · top 10 teams advance to Grand Final
Stage 03
November, 2026
Grand FinalFinals · AI Forum · Gala · Awards
Finals
06 — Organisers & Partners
Built by the people building Malaysia's AI stack.
Organisers
// running the competitionSolara Global Media
Organiser · Media, narrative & convening
Solarvest Innovation Lab
Co-organiser · Capital & equity investment
Huntier AI
Organiser · Talent pipeline & AI recruitment
Ecosystem Partners
// strengthening the ecosystem
Malaysia-China Friendship Association
PPMC · Cross-border community & diplomatic support
HATI
Hub for ASEAN Technology & Innovation · Incubation programme
Rtist.co
Creative talent platform · Media & design support
Infrastructure Partner
// powering the build
Sponsors
// powering the prizesDiamond Sponsor
Become the headline sponsor →
Gold Sponsor
Open slot — contact us
Silver Sponsor
Open slot — contact us
Partner with us
More opportunities TBA
Campus & Community Partners
// connecting teams to MAIC
