PENANG, 16 DEC – FoodPreneur Expo 2025, powered by Foodicious Sdn. Bhd., officially opened its doors today at Setia SPICE Convention Centre, Penang. The inaugural event was officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, accompanied by YB Joseph Ng Soon Siang, ADUN Air Itam and CEO of Foodicious Sdn Bhd, Aleex Quah, along with distinguished VIP guests.
Recognised as Southeast Asia’s first dedicated F&B entrepreneurship expo, FoodPreneur Expo 2025 marks a new milestone for Malaysia’s food and beverage landscape. The expo aims to empower aspiring and established foodpreneurs through knowledge-sharing, business matching, and access to regional and international opportunities.
Held from 16 to 18 December, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Ballroom 4, Setia SPICE Convention Centre – Penang, the three-day exhibition brings together SMEs, startups, OEM manufacturers, franchise providers, investors, and service enablers under one roof.
In conjunction with the opening, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Foodicious Sdn. Bhd. and two international partners — Zhong Tou Meng and Guizhou Hejiang Culture Media Co., Ltd. from the People’s Republic of China — reinforcing cross-border collaboration and future initiatives in F&B entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, said:
“That is why FoodPreneur Expo, together with the FoodPreneur Global Summit and FoodPreneur LAB, is so important to Penang. In one platform, it brings together food ideas, business models such as franchising and OEM, industry leaders sharing real experiences, and practical support from government agencies, banks, and business experts. This is how creativity is translated into viable businesses and how a complete ecosystem is built. And I sincerely hope this will also have a spillover effect all over the northern region.”
CEO of Foodicious Sdn. Bhd., Aleex Quah, also added in his speech:
“FoodPreneur is about start small, dreaming big. This Expo is more than just business models — it’s a community of creators, innovators, and bold entrepreneurs. Remember: behind every foodpreneur is a spark — the belief that food can connect, inspire, and create opportunities.”
The FoodPreneur Global Summit 2025, held today at Ballroom 3, brought together well-known industry leaders to share experiences and guidance based on three themes: Passion, Opportunities, and Growth. Speakers include Datuk Chef Wan, Zenda Ng (HWC Coffee Malaysia), Dr Jeff Lim Chee Lip (Luckin Coffee Malaysia), Nor Arieni Adriena (Gula Cakery), and other invited experts.
Another key highlight is the Growth Forum, featuring speakers from MATRADE, JAKIM, PERNAS, Penang Halal International, and Maybank Islamic Berhad, who shared insights on halal, franchise development, trade access, and various government support programmes. In addition, the Opportunities & Tech Talk forums will also take place throughout the day.
In the expo hall from 16 to 18 December, visitors can explore the Halal Pavilion in Ballroom 4 — a dedicated area focused on halal business opportunities, certification pathways, and access to international halal markets.
Alongside this, the FoodPreneur LAB connects entrepreneurs with essential support services, including financial institutions, business development partners, and OEM manufacturers, helping them move forward in their business journey.
This year’s expo also features 42 brands from Malaysia, Poland, China and Thailand, occupying 55 booths across the exhibition hall, offering visitors a diverse showcase of products, services, and business solutions.
FoodPreneur Expo 2025 is expected to welcome over 8,000 visitors, further strengthening its position as a key platform for business networking, F&B innovation, and industry collaboration.
