Goodday KidSTART 3.0 Goes National on Astro — ASB Joins the Judging Panel

Goodday KidSTART 3.0, Malaysia's biggest children's entrepreneurship programme, has crowned its new champion — and this year, the journey played out on national television on Astro Ria & Ceria. Asia School of Business (ASB) was part of it from start to finish, mentoring and judging the finalists alongside Cradle Fund and Astro.

The winners

• Champion (RM20,000): Pearl Liang Yee Herr, 12, SJK(C) Serdang Baru 1, Selangor — "AI Unicorn", an AI-powered tool that helps students find the right school uniform size, inspired by her own struggle to find uniforms that fit.
• Second place (RM10,000): Mohammad Nukman, 12, SK Sungai Ara, Pulau Pinang — "Food Rescue Hub", using AI and drones to collect surplus food and turn it into organic fertiliser.
• Third place: Teo Kevan, 9, SJK(C) Kuen Cheng 2 — "Furever", a short-term pet experience that teaches basic pet care without long-term commitment.

"I never imagined I would become the Goodday KidSTART Champion. I learned to be brave, believe in my ideas and keep trying." — Pearl Liang

A record year

Launched in 2022 for children aged 7 to 14, the programme builds financial literacy, creativity, communication and entrepreneurial thinking. The third edition drew more than 8,000 submissions — double the previous year and the highest since it began. From 20 national finalists, eight advanced to the top-prize rounds.

What was new in 3.0:

• A four-episode TV series on Astro Ceria & Ria
• Immersive challenge rounds, including a business simulation at KidZania Kuala Lumpur
• Guidance from industry mentors from Cradle, ASB and seasoned entrepreneurs
• Real-world pitching and evaluation to build confidence, communication and critical thinking

Other award winners

• Best Presenter (Above 10): Cinta Zandra Alayna Paul, 12 (Selangor)
• Best Presenter (10 and Below): Chong Jo Ann, 9 (Kuala Lumpur)
• Rising Star Award: Muhammad Arish Aidan Bin Mohd Hamzy, 12 (Selangor)
• Best Social Impact Award: Solomon Lim Tee Guan, 9 (Sarawak)
• Most Innovative Idea Award: Lau Wai Liang, 12 (Selangor)
• Highest Participation Award (RM10,000): SJK (C) Yuk Chai, with 600+ entries

ASB on the judging panel

Judges assessed every idea for innovation, feasibility, impact potential, commercial readiness, storytelling and personal growth — and served as mentors pushing the children to refine their concepts and sharpen their pitches.

From an academic lens, Dr Melati Nungsari, Deputy CEO and Associate Professor at Asia School of Business, commended the children's polished, strategic presentations and their maturity in embracing feedback. Cradle Fund Group CEO Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke noted that many ideas showed genuine commercial potential, and selected winners will be further supported through Cradle's ecosystem.

The programme is backed by the Ministry of Education and brought to Malaysian homes through Astro's first year of collaboration with Goodday KidSTART.

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Source: "Goodday KidSTART 3.0 Goes National on Astro Ria & Ceria, Featuring 12 Year Old Champion's RM20,000 Win", Astro Media Room, 13 January 2026. Photo: Astro.