A podcast for founders, by a founder.
Hosted by Gamal Aleryani, Founder & CEO of BlueJ, MY Startup Playbook explores the real struggles, lessons, and wins behind building startups in Malaysia.
We talk about what actually works — from grants and funding to hiring, market fit, and surviving the early stages.
Expect real talk, founder stories, and insights from across the ecosystem, VCs, and more.
Subscribe to hear honest conversations that help you grow your startup smarter, from someone who's in it with you.
How to Prepare for Investor Meetings: Key Dos & Don’ts | MY Startup Playbook Ep. 9
In this episode of MY Startup Playbook, we dive into the essential dos and don’ts every founder needs to know to ace investor meetings. Get actionable tips on researching your investors, crafting a clear and compelling pitch, managing your time effectively, handling tough questions with transparency, and following up professionally to keep the momentum going. Whether you’re just starting your fundraising journey or want to improve your pitch game, this episode offers practical insights to boost your confidence and increase your chances of securing investment.
Tune in now and take your investor meetings to the next level!
27 Sept 2025
Raising Money the Smart Way (Not the Stressful Way)
Raising money isn’t just about pitching investors—it’s about knowing what you really need, what stage you’re in, and how not to give away too much too soon.
In this episode we dive into:
- The funding traps most founders fall into
- How to think strategically about raising money
- Why timing is just as important as valuation
- When to bootstrap vs. when to go for VC/angels
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready to raise—or just chasing the hype—this episode will give you clarity.
🔔 Subscribe for more founder-focused insights
📩 Join the newsletter for extra resources: https://open.substack.com/pub/mystartupplaybookpodcast?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=63rhug
23 Sept 2025
Stop Wasting Money on Bad Hires: How to Build the Right Team from Day 1
Hiring the right people early can make or break your startup.The truth? Most founders rush to fill roles and end up with a team that slows them down instead of pushing them forward.In Episode 7 of My Startup Playbook, we dive into:✅ How to spot A-player talent (even if you can’t pay big salaries yet)✅ The mindset shift founders need before hiring their first employees✅ Red flags that signal a bad hire before it’s too late✅ Why culture fit matters just as much as skillIf you’re building your team or about to make your very first hire, this episode will save you time, money, and a lot of sleepless nights.🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more startup insights
1 Sept 2025
The ONE Thing That Pushes Startups Forward (Most Founders Miss This)
Everyone has ideas, but very few know how to execute them well. In Episode 6 of My Startup Playbook Podcast, we dive into why execution beats ideas every single time, and how to scale your startup without burning yourself out in the process.What you’ll learn in this episode:- Why too many founders overvalue “big ideas” and undervalue consistent execution- The mindset shifts you need to sustain growth (without losing your sanity)- Practical ways to pace your startup journey so you don’t burn out before you break through- Real stories and lessons from the startup ecosystem that prove execution is everythingWhether you’re at the idea stage or already building your MVP, this episode will help you focus on what truly moves the needle.👉 If you’re an early-stage founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about startup realities, this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and learn how to build smarter, not harder.
20 Aug 2025
Funding Reality Check: What Founders in Malaysia Must Know Before Pitching
We all hear the fairy tale stories of startups landing millions from VCs overnight. The reality? Most founders in Malaysia face a very different path—one that involves bootstrapping, navigating grants, and finding investors who believe in more than just hype.
In this episode of My Startup Playbook, we’re diving deep into:
Funding myths vs reality – Why chasing VCs too early might be a trap.
Know your funding options – From grants (check out MyStartup) to pre-accelerator programs.
Regional ecosystem access – How to plug into Southeast Asia’s network (resources like the ASEAN Startup Portal can be game changers).
Staying smart with investor conversations.
This isn’t just about “getting money”—it’s about understanding which path fits your business, your stage, and your sanity.
Watch the full Episode on our YouTube (https://youtu.be/P8GBnnQzS1s) channel.
🔗 Bonus resources: MyStartup (https://www.mystartup.gov.my/government) | ASEAN Startup Portal (https://startup-asean.org/startups)
If you’ve ever felt lost navigating Malaysia’s funding landscape or pressured by the hype around raising big, this one’s for you.
18 Aug 2025
Episode 4: Think Like a Founder – Staying Sane & Playing the Long Game
Smart founders don’t just win the internet.
They win time by focusing on systems, mindset, and the long game.
In this episode, we dive into:
- How to protect your mental space as a founder
- Why time is the most valuable startup currency
- The habits that separate founders who burn out from those who last
- How to think beyond hype and play for endurance
This is the episode that helps you zoom out, reset, and build with clarity.
#StartSMART #SmartFounder #StartupMindset
7 Aug 2025
Build Smart: Tools, Branding & Getting Noticed
Hey Founders, Dreamers & Doers
In this episode of My Startup Playbook, we get real about what happens after your idea is born and before your audience knows you exist.
If you’ve ever asked:
“How do I get my startup noticed?”
“What tools should I even use to begin?”
“What does ‘branding’ actually mean in the early days?”
This is your episode.
How to choose the right tools early (free vs paid, what’s worth investing in)
Building your startup brand without hiring a full agency
Simple design & content tools that make a huge difference
Marketing vs Distribution — what most first-time founders miss
Which local payment gateways to consider in Malaysia
And why you don’t need to go viral to be visible
If you haven’t yet, subscribe to the series so you don’t miss the next drop.
24 Jul 2025
Don’t Start a Business Until You Hear This
Welcome to Episode 2 of My Startup Playbook, a weekly founder-to-founder podcast designed for anyone building from the ground up.This episode is part of the Start SMART series, a mini-series inside the podcast that breaks down the non-glamorous truths every founder should face before building a company. If you’re thinking of starting a business, or already have but feel lost in the chaos, this one’s for you.We also introduce our weekly roundup: Startup Pulse where we bring you key updates, headlines, and happenings from the startup world, especially across ASEAN, MENA, and emerging markets.🎧 In this Episode:Why you shouldn’t just start a business blindly3 harsh truths founders often ignoreReal talk on founder-market fit, timing, and clarity📰 Startup Pulse Highlights (Week of July 21):- ASEAN Startup Portal Officially LaunchesThe new regional portal is aimed at increasing cross-border collaboration and visibility for startups in Southeast Asia.- Kuala Lumpur Ranked #18 Among Top 20 Emerging Startup EcosystemsKL earns its place in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024 by Startup Genome.- Maranti Ventures Partners with MDECStrategic collaboration announced to boost Malaysia's deep tech and digital startups.
22 Jul 2025
Startups don’t fail from lack of passion. They fail from poor planning.
Before you build anything, watch this.
🎙️ Start Smart — Episode 2: Start Properly
Coming soon on Spotify.
#StartSmartPodcast #Founders #StartupMalaysia #StartupWisdom #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #BuildSmart #StartupTips
13 Jul 2025
Why I Started MY Startup Playbook
Starting a startup in Malaysia isn't as easy as it looks, and no one talks about the real challenges.
In this very first episode, I share why I launched MY Startup Playbook, what it’s all about, and what to expect in the coming episodes.
If you’re a founder, investor, student, or part of the ecosystem, this is for you.
🎙 Hosted by Gamal Aleryani, Founder & CEO of BlueJ
🎧 New episodes weekly/biweekly — real stories, raw lessons, and startup truths from the Malaysian scene.
6 Jul 2025
Coming Soon: A Real Podcast for Malaysian Founders
If you’ve ever built a startup in Malaysia, or thought about it, you know how confusing it can get.
The ecosystem is growing fast, but so are the gaps in awareness, support, and honest conversations.
MY Startup Playbook is a new podcast built for founders, by a founder, sharing real stories, real challenges, and what actually works in Malaysia’s startup scene.
Hosted by Gamal Aleryani (Founder & CEO of BlueJ), this is your unfiltered look at entrepreneurship from the ground up.
🎙️ New episodes dropping soon. Hit follow and stay in the loop.
#MYStartupPlaybook #StartupsMY #FounderJourney #Entrepreneurship #MalaysiaTech
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