CIP Spark

CIP Spark

Funds early Malaysian startups creating minimum-viable products from market trials.

CIP Spark is a pre-seed conditional development grant administered by Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian government-backed agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) that has funded over 1,000 Malaysian tech startups since 2003. The program funds technology-based and innovative ideas through to Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage and is one of two headline grant products on Cradle's current grants portfolio, alongside CIP Sprint. Applications are accepted on a continuous rolling basis with no fixed deadlines; approval typically takes two to four months from submission via Cradle's Grant Management System.

Eligible applicants include entrepreneurs, teams of at least two people, and tech-based startups incorporated as LLPs, Enterprises, or Sdn Bhd companies in Malaysia. Companies must be less than five years old at application with accumulated revenue under RM3 million and no external entity holding 25% or more of their equity. At least one team member must be Malaysian and at least one must reside in Malaysia. Non-Malaysian-majority-owned companies may apply if the majority of employees are Malaysian. Applicants must own the intellectual property or hold an exclusive licensing agreement — non-exclusive licenses are not accepted. The award provides up to RM150,000 disbursed over a maximum 18-month project period as a combination of advance payment and reimbursement. A minimum of 60% of funds must be directed to developmental expenses, with a maximum of 40% allocated to non-developmental or commercialization costs.

The application process requires online registration and submission of a pitch deck using Cradle's template, followed by document verification and a closed pitching session for shortlisted applicants. Key deliverables include a functional prototype or MVP by the end of the funding period, along with periodic demo sessions and development progress reports. Cradle also provides business support services alongside the grant, including networking, business model development, market validation, and market access opportunities. Contact for inquiries is enquiries@cradle.com.my or +603 4045 8600.