Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad has launched The Ultimate Elevator Pitch, Malaysia’s first feature-length movie about SME entrepreneurship, in line with World MSME Day. The film will premiere exclusively on iQIYI. The bank also announced the return of the BizSmart Business Conference (ABBBC), its annual event in the BizSmart ecosystem, now in its second year.
The documentary-style movie provides behind-the-scenes access to the Accelerator Edition of Alliance Bank’s BizSmart Challenge, a flagship SME development programme celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. Viewers witness raw emotions, high-stakes pitches, and pivotal breakthroughs that highlight the drama of building a business in today’s fast-paced environment.
Since its launch in 2013, the BizSmart Challenge empowers local entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and market exposure. The introduction of the 60-second Elevator Pitch in 2024 enhances its trailblazing reputation. Alliance Bank solidifies its role as a pioneering partner for SMEs by offering venture capital through 1337 Ventures and 5X Capital, along with cash prizes via Cradle MYStartup and CGC.
“For over a decade, we’ve supported entrepreneurs beyond financial services,” said Kellee Kam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Bank. “This movie is Malaysia’s first feature-length SME business pitch film that invites the public to witness the grit, vulnerability, and determination behind Malaysia’s SME founders. It’s a portrait of resilience and ambition — and a celebration of the changemakers building our future.”
The 2024 Alliance BizSmart Challenge gave RM550,000 in cash prizes to 13 winners. The top three were BioLoop, Gula Cakery, and HiiVolt, recognized for their innovation and business skills.
“These winners reflect the creativity, perseverance, and ambition that define Malaysia’s SME sector,” shared Kellee Kam. “We’ve gone beyond just providing bank funds — together with our esteemed partners CGC, Cradle’s MYStartup , 1337 Ventures , and 5X Capital, we now offer a range of financial solutions from loans to venture funding. We’ll continue to support SMEs with funding, mentoring, and visibility. As The Bank For Life, our mission is to empower entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact across industries and communities. We’re proud to remain pioneers in this space — just as we were a decade ago when we launched the BizSmart Challenge.”
A Movie with Purpose, Made for Today’s Audience
The idea for The Ultimate Elevator Pitch stems from the insight that entrepreneurship is deeply emotional, best understood through founders’ experiences. With a growing demand for authentic content, the Bank saw a chance to inspire Malaysian entrepreneurs.
In collaboration with award-winning agency Ampersand Advisory, the film combines cinematic storytelling with the essence of entrepreneurship, highlighting the pivotal moments that often go unnoticed in business.
“We see entrepreneurs as heroes, and that’s how we approached this movie. Our client was open-minded and the idea of a movie came in a large part from them. The audience gets a rare front-row seat to some of the struggles and high points that define a founder’s journey,” said Sandeep Joseph, Co-Founder and CEO of Ampersand Advisory, who also directed the film. “You’ll see the unguarded moments, the investor debates, and the mentorship that shapes growth. It’s raw, relatable, and relevant. These are the stories of Malaysia’s future business leaders, told without filter.”
Filmed during the intensive BizSmart Challenge journey, the film offers never-before-seen access to mentorship sessions, last-minute pitch prep, emotional highs and lows — and the real stakes faced by entrepreneurs chasing funding and recognition, while managing personal pressures and daily business challenges. “This is more than a celebration of success. It’s a visual archive and story of what it takes to build a business in today’s Malaysia”, added Sandeep. “We’re delighted that a local home-grown bank wanted to make a heartwarming film about local entrepreneurs, and picked a local agency like ours to do so. As an entrepreneur I can resonate with the journey of these courageous and diverse founders.”
Streaming Where Malaysians Watch: The iQIYI Partnership
iQIYI and Alliance Bank have collaborated to create Malaysia’s first film focused on a business pitch program. This original documentary highlights the ambition and creativity of local entrepreneurs while showcasing both brands’ support for local talent. You can watch it exclusively on iQIYI starting 18 July 2025, making it available to entrepreneurs, students, and aspiring founders throughout Malaysia, anytime and anywhere.
“This is the first time a bank-led SME initiative has been transformed into a cinematic experience that balances heart and ambition, It proves entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for boardrooms — it highlights the highs, lows and spirit of local founders who are taking bold steps to shape their future to make it more meaningful,” said Evangeline Song, Head of Brand Partnerships, APAC & Middle East at iQIYI. “We’re excited to bring such authentic, homegrown stories to a wider audience through this collaboration.”
Celebrating 10 Years of the BizSmart Challenge
2024 also marked a milestone 10th anniversary for the BizSmart Challenge, with the introduction of the Accelerator Edition. This 2024 edition attracted a record-breaking 593 submissions — the highest since the programme began in 2013 — reflecting the vibrancy and competitiveness of Malaysia’s SME landscape.
The finalists participated in a comprehensive programme, including a 4-day Accelerator, business coaching, a 5-minute business pitch, and a final 3-minute pitch to industry leaders. Each entrepreneur gained valuable insights and support.
In an unprecedented move, every finalist from last year received a prize, highlighting Alliance Bank’s commitment to inclusive growth and support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A Prelude to the 2025 BizSmart Business Conference (ABBBC)
Taking place on 7 October 2025 at W Kuala Lumpur, this year’s BizSmart Business Conference is themed “Boundaries Reimagined” and will feature over 35 speakers, including successful founders, influential investors, and BizSmart alumni who have grown their businesses in various sectors. Notable speakers include Colony CEO Timothy Tiah, A Cut Above founder Winnie Loo, HYGR co-founders Ivor and Meng, Radius Khor from Vietnam Coffee Co., and past BizSmart Challenge winners such as BioLoop CEO Mah Jun Kit, Gula Cakery founder Nor Arieni, and HiiVolt founder Dr. Jay.
The agenda includes topics like cross-border business expansion, digital disruption, brand-building, and business model evolution, with a focus on how SMEs can adapt. Participants will enjoy networking, business-matching, and valuable industry insights.
To celebrate World MSME Day, an early bird ticket price of RM88 is available until 3 July 2025, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to inclusive access for entrepreneurs.
For more information about the Alliance Bank BizSmart Challenge visit www.bizsmart.com.my.
To watch The Ultimate Elevator Pitch movie, visit [insert the link for iQIYI} which goes live on 18 July 2025. Tickets information and other insights to the BizSmart Business Conference (ABBBC) 2025, visit www.alliancebank.com.my/abbbc.