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Alliance Bank launches Malaysia's first SME business pitch film to inspire entrepreneurial resilience
SHAH ALAM - Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad made history with the launch of The Ultimate Elevator Pitch, Malaysia's first feature-length SME business pitch documentary, offering a cinematic portrayal of entrepreneurship.
Streaming exclusively on iQIYI from July 18, the film highlights the real-life journeys of 13 entrepreneurs from the 2024 BizSmart® Challenge: Accelerator Edition.
In conjunction with World MSME Day, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad unveiled The Ultimate Elevator Pitch, a pioneering feature-length documentary spotlighting the entrepreneurial journeys of 13 finalists from the 2024 BizSmart® Challenge.
This milestone initiative represents a convergence of business development, cinematic storytelling and digital media, making it the first of its kind in Malaysia.
The film, directed by Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ampersand Advisory, Sandeep Joseph, offers rare behind-the-scenes access to high-stakes business pitches, mentorship sessions and the personal challenges encountered by SME founders. The Ultimate Elevator Pitch is available on iQIYI on July 18.
"We see entrepreneurs as heroes and that is how we approached this movie. It is raw, relatable and relevant. These are the stories of Malaysia's future business leaders, told without filter," Sandeep said.
Alliance Bank Group CEO, Kellee Kam, described the film as a portrait of resilience and ambition.
"It is a celebration of the changemakers building our future. For over a decade, we have supported entrepreneurs beyond financial services. This movie invites the public to witness the grit, vulnerability and determination behind Malaysia's SME founders," Kam said.
The documentary also serves as a prelude to the 2025 BizSmart® Business Conference (ABBBC), scheduled for Oct 7 at W Kuala Lumpur.
Themed "Boundaries Reimagined", the conference will bring together over 35 speakers, including high-growth founders, seasoned investors and BizSmart® alumni such as Timothy Tiah, Winnie Loo, Radius Khor, Mah Jun Kit, Nor Arieni and Dr Jay. Topics will range from cross-border expansion to digital disruption and resilient brand building.
The 2024 BizSmart® Challenge marked its 10th anniversary with the introduction of the Accelerator Edition, drawing a record-breaking 593 submissions. It included a multi-stage evaluation; a four-day accelerator programme, a 60-second Elevator Pitch and a final pitch to a panel of industry leaders.
Every finalist received a prize, with BioLoop, Gula Cakery, and HiiVolt emerging as the top three, collectively earning a share of RM550,000.
Highlighting its role as a pioneer in SME financing, Alliance Bank extended its support through a suite of financial tools beyond conventional banking. These included venture capital via 1337 Ventures and 5X Capital and funding from Cradle's MYStartup and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC).
In line with current digital consumption trends, the film will stream exclusively on iQIYI.
Head of Brand Partnerships, APAC & Middle East at iQIYI Evangeline Song said this was the first time a bank-led SME initiative has been transformed into a cinematic experience that balances heart and ambition.
"It highlights the highs, lows and spirit of local founders who are taking bold steps to shape their future," Song said.
The idea for The Ultimate Elevator Pitch was sparked by a single insight: entrepreneurship is not just strategy — it is deeply emotional.
"This is more than a celebration of success. It is a visual archive and story of what it takes to build a business in today's Malaysia," Sandeep added.
Alliance Bank reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive entrepreneurial growth through its early bird promotion for ABBBC 2025, with ticket prices starting at RM88 until July 3.
The conference aimed to facilitate networking, business matching and dissemination of strategic insights for SME development.
For more information on the BizSmart® Challenge, visit
To watch The Ultimate Elevator Pitch, visit iQIYI starting July 18.
For details on the 2025 BizSmart® Business Conference, visit
