Malaysia’s tech ecosystem gained a significant boost as MaiStorage Technology marked its official launch in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and several key cabinet members.
Spearheaded by Founder and Group CEO Dato’ Pua Khein Seng, MaiStorage enters the scene as a local integrated circuit (IC) design and storage solutions company with bold plans to support Malaysia’s semiconductor and AI ecosystem.
A member of the Phison Group, who’s a global leader in NAND flash controllers, which Dato’ Pua also co-founded, MaiStorage aims to localize advanced storage and AI technology through on-premise SSD solutions and its proprietary aiDAPTIV+ platform for LLM training and fine-tuning. These offerings are geared toward data centers, AI-driven enterprises, and the automotive sector.
Since beginning operations in August 2024, MaiStorage has ramped up fast, hiring and training 60 young engineers and committing to building a pipeline of 175 local IC design experts by 2026. It is also a key anchor partner in the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation’s (Sidec) IC Design Park initiative, aiming to drive local chip design capabilities.
Within just a year, the company has already reached its break-even point while securing clients that include state bodies, R&D agencies, and universities. According to Dato’ Pua, Malaysia has the potential to compete globally in semiconductors, but the country must foster homegrown expertise to reduce reliance on foreign talent and IP.
“To become a regional IC design hub, we need to nurture future-ready engineers through real-world R&D,” said Dato’ Pua, emphasizing that MaiStorage’s model—blending education with hands-on design work—represents the only viable path forward for building Malaysia’s chip industry from scratch.
In support of this vision, the company has launched the aiDAPTIV+ Partner Program to help system integrators and developers build sovereign, locally-hosted AI infrastructure, and through this initiative, MaiStorage aims to foster an ASEAN-wide ecosystem where innovation, IP ownership, and deployment remain within regional borders.
MaiStorage also enables the co-creation of customized NAND storage and AI products, offering in-depth collaboration from firmware to hardware design and edge AI deployment that places them as it as a valuable partner for enterprises and OEMs seeking tailored performance across diverse environments.
On the other hand, talent development remains central to MaiStorage’s mission, and beyond its internal training program, the company has partnered with TalentCorp to develop an additional 150 IC designers over the next three years. It is also working with education bodies to align its training with national industry goals under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
The company is actively supporting the adoption of Malaysia’s PKTN (Produk Kriptografi Terpercaya Negara) standards, securing certification for its SSDs to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity with sovereign encryption technology.
Looking ahead, MaiStorage has outlined a strategic roadmap through 2028 that includes:
- Expanding NAND flash controller R&D to position Malaysia as a high-value design hub.
- Accelerating AI and Edge AI development across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and manufacturing for ASEAN and Middle Eastern markets.
- Rolling out AI classrooms in collaboration with Yayasan Didik Negara, using MaiStorage’s AITPC systems to introduce AI fundamentals in schools.
- Preparing for IPO in 2028, with a focus on employee shareholding and strategic investor partnerships to fuel long-term growth.
Dato’ Pua believes that MaiStorage’s efforts align with Malaysia’s broader goal of transitioning from technology consumption to creation. “We’re not just filling industry gaps – we’re turning them into opportunities,” he said, noting that through research, collaboration, and talent investment, MaiStorage aims to be a cornerstone of Malaysia’s digital and semiconductor sovereignty.
