Goodday KidSTART 3.0, Malaysia’s biggest children’s entrepreneurship programme, has officially crowned 12-year-old Pearl Liang Yee Herr as its new champion following the highly anticipated series finale on Astro.
Now in its third consecutive year, the programme has evolved into a compelling reality-style TV series, marking a significant milestone in its mission to nurture confidence, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills among young Malaysians.
Pearl Liang, from SJK(C) Serdang Baru 1, Selangor, walked away with the RM20,000 grand prize with her innovative idea, “AI Unicorn,” a customised, AI-powered solution designed to help students find the right school uniform size.
The idea was inspired by her own experience of struggling to find off-the-shelf uniforms that fit properly and her desire to help other children with similar challenges feel confident at school.
She impressed industry judges from Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd. and the Asia School of Business (ASB), earning praise for her confidence, clarity, and real-world potential.
Second place went to 12-year-old Mohammad Nukman from SK Sungai Ara, Pulau Pinang, who won RM10,000 for his eco-focused idea, “Food Rescue Hub,” a concept that uses AI and drones to collect surplus food and turn it into organic fertiliser.
He shared that the programme opened doors to new experiences and friendships outside of school.
Third place was awarded to 9-year-old Teo Kevan from SJK(C) Kuen Cheng 2 for “Furever,” a short-term pet experience that allows children to enjoy guided play and pick up basic pet-care skills without long-term commitments.
Launched in 2022 to build financial literacy, creativity, communication, and entrepreneurial thinking among children aged 7 to 14, Goodday KidSTART has rapidly grown into one of Malaysia’s most influential platforms for young innovators.
In just three years, it has evolved from a simple ideation challenge into a nationwide movement that empowers children to observe the world around them, identify everyday problems, and propose meaningful solutions.
This year marked the programme’s strongest showing yet, with more than 8,000 submissions, double last year’s entries, and the highest participation since the programme began, reaffirming Goodday KidSTART’s role as a catalyst for nurturing the next generation of confident, empathetic, and socially conscious innovators.
A New Chapter on National Television
For its third edition, Goodday KidSTART 3.0 made a significant leap by moving beyond a closed-door pitching format to debut as a nationwide TV series, providing finalists with broader visibility and a platform to inspire peers nationwide.
Key enhancements this year included:
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A four-episodic TV series aired on Astro Ceria and Ria
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Immersive challenge rounds, including a business simulation at KidZania Kuala Lumpur
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Guidance from industry mentors from Cradle, ASB, and seasoned entrepreneurs
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Real-world pitching and evaluations to strengthen confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills
Amy Gan, Vice President of Marketing at Etika Sdn. Bhd. and spokesperson for Goodday Milk, shared that the programme reflects the brand’s long-term commitment to shaping confident, forward-thinking young Malaysians.
“Nurturing children goes beyond providing nutritious products. It’s also about creating the right environments for them to explore ideas, push their creativity, and discover what they’re capable of. Each year, the participants remind us just how bold and imaginative young minds can be, and that’s why we continue supporting a platform that helps them grow.”
– Amy Gan, Vice President of Marketing at Etika Sdn. Bhd. and spokesperson for Goodday Milk
She added that evolving Goodday KidSTART into a national TV series with Astro was a deliberate step to broaden its reach and deepen its influence, bringing children’s journeys into Malaysian homes and inspiring belief and possibility across the nation.
Strong Institutional Support
The programme is backed by the Ministry of Education (MOE). Puan Aniza binti Kamarulzaman, Director of the Educational Resources and Technology Division, expressed her support during the taping of the final episode, highlighting the programme’s value in complementing classroom learning and nurturing creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Marking the first year of collaboration between Goodday KidSTART and Astro, Agnes Rozario, Chief Content Officer of Astro, shared that content has the power to shape curious minds and that Astro is proud to partner with the programme as it continues to scale and reach more Malaysian families.
Closer Look at the Finalists: Grit, Guts & Growth
Grand Prize winner Pearl dedicated her victory to her parents, saying she hopes to take her idea further but first wants to surprise them by buying a new air conditioner for their home.
From the 20 finalists selected nationwide, eight advanced to compete for the top prizes.
Beyond pitching, finalists also participated in a special challenge at KidZania Kuala Lumpur, testing real-world problem-solving, teamwork, and practical business decision-making.
Additional awards included:
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Best Presenter (Above 10): Cinta Zandra Alayna Paul (12), Selangor
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Best Presenter (10 and Below): Chong Jo Ann (9), Kuala Lumpur
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Rising Star Award: Muhammad Arish Aidan bin Mohd Hamzy (12), Selangor
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Best Social Impact Award: Solomon Lim Tee Guan (9), Sarawak
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Most Innovative Idea Award: Lau Wai Liang (12), Selangor
SJK (C) Yuk Chai was awarded the Highest Participation Award, clinching RM10,000 with over 600 entries, the highest among all schools this year.
Judges’ Reflections
Judges from Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd., the Asia School of Business, and Astro assessed ideas based on innovation, feasibility, impact potential, commercial readiness, storytelling, and personal growth.
Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO of Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd., noted the children’s ability to absorb feedback quickly and articulate real-world problems with confidence beyond their age.
Dr Melati Nungsari, Deputy CEO and Associate Professor at ASB, praised the finalists’ strategic thinking and maturity, while Datin Lisa Surihani highlighted how the TV format brought the heart, grit, and creativity of each idea to life.
As the curtains close on this year’s competition, Goodday KidSTART continues to stand as a powerful reminder of what can happen when children are given space to imagine, create, and believe in themselves.
For more information, please stay tuned to: https://www.facebook.com/gooddaymilkmalaysia/.
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