Malaysian couple on Forbes Asia list
Published on: Fri, Jun 13, 2025
By: FMT Text Size: Eswaran and Renuga had not expected to make it on the Forbes list. (Andrea Edmonds) PETALING JAYA: Eswaran Mohan and Renuga Nair have joined the ranks of fellow Malaysians like professional squash player Sivasangari Subramaniam; Lee Zhe Xi, co-founder of Eat and Cook; and Raudhan Nazran, founder of the social enterprise Accelerate Global, who have all made the Forbes list in previous years. They were Asia's first official Snapchat lens creators, and among the first 30 globally. Through their company Exar Technologies, they have helped put Malaysia on the (virtual) map.
Advertisement 'The recognition means a lot to us – reinforcing the belief we had in ourselves. Sometimes when you are in your own world, you feel a bit demotivated. When you get recognised, you start reinforcing your belief that you are on the right path,' said Eswaran. For Renuga, the recognition was 'a confidence boost' in the midst of hardship and business slowing down. 'This makes you go, 'You know what? Let's just keep going'.' Since launching Exar Technologies in 2018, Eswaran and Renuga have levelled up in every way, together with their creative director Arun Mohan, Eswaran's younger brother. What started as a passion for creating augmented-reality (AR) filters for social media has now evolved into a full-blown immersive tech-solutions agency. 'We integrate these technologies to be able to create interactive content for you to boost engagement awareness for marketing campaigns,' Eswaran explained. Some of their clients include multinationals such as Nestlé, Fujitsu, Honda and FoodPanda. Eswaran and Renuga, who met while studying at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor, attribute their success to each other, saying they keep each other accountable for their work while challenging and spurring each other on. 'You need someone who believes in you more than yourself,' said Eswaran, an electrical-mechatronics graduate. He shared that during tough times when he gets discouraged, Renuga is his pillar of support. Indeed, through many ups and downs, they have stuck to a piece of advice someone close to them once offered. 'This person told us, 'Life has a lot of junctions, but you need to go to the junction to make the next decision. So, why don't you go to the junction first and then decide?'' added Renuga, a chemistry graduate. We still talk about this whenever we need to make decisions.' Their advice to young dreamers in the tech space? 'Make use of whatever you already have. If you're waiting for something to happen, especially today with so many tools available, you don't have any reason not to start,' said Eswaran. As for the future, the husband and wife hope to build their own media company to create more awareness about AR, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. 'We are very much excited to keep going in this industry instead of branching out into other technologies because we love this. This is what excites us all the time,' said Eswaran. 'My belief is that if you're going to spend time doing something, you might as well do something you like,' Renuga concluded. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysians are not retirement-ready
MOST Malaysians feel uncertain about their retirement. This is no surprise – it's a phase of life with no active income, potentially lasting 20 to 30 years, or even longer. That uncertainty often drives people to take action, seeking ways to secure their future: buying insurance, topping up their Employees Provident Fund (EPF), investing in unit trusts, or even purchasing property. These steps feel productive, responsible and reassuring.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Tunku Azizah launches book on dual legal system governing Islamic finance
KUALA LUMPUR: Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today graced the launch of the book, From Shariah to Statute: Legal and Regulatory Framework of Islamic Finance in Malaysia, which provides a comprehensive overview of Malaysia's unique dual legal system governing the Islamic finance sector. The book launch was held in conjunction with the professorial lecture delivered by Prof Datin Dr Nurdianawati Irwani Abdullah, a finance lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia's (IIUM) Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences. Tunku Azizah's arrival, as the Constitutional Head of the university, was warmly received by IIUM Rector Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar and Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. The book, From Shariah to Statute: Legal and Regulatory Framework of Islamic Finance in Malaysia, explains the relationship between Syariah principles and statutory laws, highlighting the roles of key regulatory authorities, core legislations, and institutional mechanisms that uphold Syariah compliance, financial integrity, and consumer protection. The book also explores recent regulatory developments, including licensing and supervision of digital Islamic banks and takaful operators, alongside Malaysia's ongoing efforts to promote sustainability, innovation, and legal harmonisation within the Islamic finance ecosystem. Meanwhile, during her lecture titled '1 Malaysian, 1 Takaful Dream: Too Far to Reach?', Nurdianawati highlighted the pressing need for comprehensive health protection amid rising medical inflation, which surged to 12.6 per cent in 2023, more than double the global average, hence putting significant strain on household expenditures. She noted that takaful penetration remains low at around 20 per cent, with over 90 per cent of Malaysians lacking adequate coverage, and more than 85 per cent of small and medium enterprises without suitable protection. At the same time, she said nearly 70 per cent of Malaysians still rely on overcrowded public hospitals, where waiting times can exceed 24 hours, while private healthcare costs continue to rise. In response, Nurdianawati proposed a comprehensive action plan aimed at achieving the national goal of '1 Malaysian, 1 Takaful' by 2026, not merely a vision but a shared social responsibility. 'Achieving '1 Malaysian, 1 Takaful' requires cross-sector collaboration involving government agencies, takaful operators, employers, zakat and waqf bodies, and civil society. This is no longer optional but a social obligation to prevent anyone from falling into poverty due to illness. 'This plan targets increasing takaful penetration to 40 per cent by 2028. With strong commitment and thorough implementation, the dream of ensuring every Malaysian has basic health protection can be realised,' she added. - Bernama
Focus Malaysia
11 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Gen Z didn't miss the boat; they're building a new one
THERE'S a narrative going around that Gen Z entered the workforce at the worst possible time. A pandemic disrupted their education. A recession tightened job markets. And now, just as they're trying to find their footing, artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of every industry. But what if we've got the story backwards? Instead of thinking Gen Z missed the boat, maybe we should ask whether the old boat was ever going to get them where they wanted to go in the first place. Maybe—just maybe—they're building a better one. In a recent Forbes article titled 'Your Career Success Now Depends on Imagination and Skills, Not Degrees' published in May 2025, Arafat Kabir makes a compelling case that the traditional path to career success—study hard, get a degree, climb the ladder—has become less relevant in today's world. What matters more now, he argues, is creativity, adaptability, and the willingness to learn continuously. And I couldn't agree more. Gen Z may have entered a job market in flux, but they're doing so at a moment where the rules of success are no longer fixed. That's not a disadvantage—that's an opening. In fact, for those willing to act, this might be the most opportunity-rich era in decades. Yes, it's true: Gen Z graduates are facing an uphill climb. Many of them are applying for jobs in industries undergoing restructuring. They're navigating hybrid work cultures, gig economies, and skill requirements that evolve faster than university curricula can keep up. But they're also entering the workforce with an edge—they don't have to 'unlearn' outdated practices. They can build from scratch. In this AI-driven age, knowledge is widely available, networks are global, and tools for creation—from content to code — are in the hands of anyone with internet access. A Gen Z graduate today can learn UI/UX design in six months, build a client base on LinkedIn, and create a career that's entirely self-directed. That's not a pipe dream; it's already happening. And it's only going to accelerate. This is where imagination matters. Not as a fluffy ideal, but as a strategic tool. When old systems become unpredictable, the ability to visualise new paths—and take bold steps toward them—becomes a competitive advantage. Gen Z isn't just dreaming. Many are already building: personal brands, niche consultancies, AI-powered side hustles. They're not waiting to be given permission to lead. They're doing it anyway. I've seen this mindset before—and lived it, too. I logged off from comfort corporate GM position from a large public listed hospital network to venture a company with nothing more than a laptop, a noble mission, and unlimited network I built over time. There was no perfect moment. There were risks, uncertainties, and setbacks. But there was also clarity: if I wanted something different, I had to help create and substantialise it. That same clarity is available to Gen Z. But it requires a shift—from waiting to acting, from asking 'what's available' to asking 'what can I build?' Of course, not every Gen Z professional will become an entrepreneur—nor should they. But the entrepreneurial mindset can apply anywhere. Starting a project within a company. Launching a community initiative. Learning a new skill outside your job scope. These are small, intentional steps that demonstrate initiative—and over time, they change careers. To make the most of this moment, though, the burden can't fall on Gen Z alone. Employers have a role to play. If we continue to judge talent based solely on conventional metrics—GPA, job titles, pedigree—we'll miss out on the very people who are best equipped for the future. Instead, we need to start asking: Can they adapt? Do they bring fresh thinking? Are they hungry to learn? Companies that create room for experimentation, that reward initiative, and that value output over optics will attract the kind of talent that doesn't just survive change — it drives it. And Gen Z, given the right environment, will rise to that challenge. I've always believed that where there's change, there's also opportunity. The trick is not to wait for things to 'go back to normal.' Because the truth is, this is normal now—fast-moving, tech-enhanced, and constantly shifting. And the people who learn to move with that current, instead of against it, are the ones who'll lead. So to every Gen Z graduate feeling unsure right now: no, you didn't miss the boat. You arrived just as the waters started to shift. And that might turn out to be your greatest advantage. After all, anyone can board a ship that's already built. But it takes vision and courage to build a new one. ‒ Aug 1, 2025 The author is CEO and Founder of HESA Healthcare Recruitment Agency and serves on the Industrial Advisory Panel for the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Business Today
