Bikesh Lakhmichand (1337 Ventures): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Bikesh Lakhmichand is a prominent Malaysian entrepreneur and venture capitalist best known as the CEO and Founding Partner of 1337 Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Kuala Lumpur. With over a decade of experience in building Malaysia’s startup ecosystem, Bikesh has played a pivotal role in nurturing and investing in innovative startups across Southeast Asia. Through 1337 Ventures and its renowned Alpha Startups pre-accelerator program, Bikesh has empowered thousands of founders with essential knowledge, mentorship, and funding, significantly shaping the early-stage startup landscape in Malaysia. This article explores the remarkable journey, impact, and philosophy of Bikesh Lakhmichand and the groundbreaking work of 1337 Ventures.

1. Early Career and Background

Bikesh Lakhmichand’s entrepreneurial journey began with a foundation in computer science. He graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2004 and taught himself coding during his early teens. His initial professional experience included building software and teaching final-year computer science students, which highlighted his natural aptitude for mentoring and problem-solving. Prior to founding 1337 Ventures, Bikesh co-founded iTrain Malaysia in 2005, a digital skills training company focused on technical and digital marketing programs. This background in education and technology laid the groundwork for his later venture capital activities.

2. Founding of 1337 Ventures and Its Mission

In 2012, Bikesh founded 1337 Ventures with a clear mission: to support early-stage Malaysian startups through investment and mentoring. What started as an ambition to run an accelerator program evolved into a full-fledged venture capital outfit investing in over 60 startups. 1337 Ventures aims to bridge the funding gap that many young startups face, offering both capital and hands-on support. Its flagship Alpha Startups pre-accelerator program has helped over 4,500 founders from more than 1,800 startups since its inception, emphasizing practical knowledge for early-stage founders.

3. The Alpha Startups Pre-Accelerator Program

Launched in 2014, Alpha Startups is a rigorous 10-day program spread over five weeks designed to equip nascent entrepreneurs with the fundamentals of building viable startups. The program initially ran in-person but transitioned successfully to an online model during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling wider access beyond Malaysia. Alpha Startups focuses on business fundamentals rather than just technology skills, emphasizing the need for founders to have viable business models, investor-ready pitches, and execution capability. Graduates collectively raised millions in funding, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness.

4. Investing Philosophy and Startup Support

Bikesh is a passionate advocate for founders who possess a clear sense of purpose rather than mere passion. He believes in backing teams that can not only build innovative technology but also sell and scale their business effectively. Having made approximately 60 investments, with about a third facing failure, he learned the importance of accessible capital and mentorship to help startups overcome tough phases. As a result, 1337 Ventures offers not only seed funding but also emergency loans and extensive mentoring, often stepping in as a “big brother” to support portfolio companies through funding gaps and growth challenges.

5. Building an Ecosystem of Mentors and Investors

Recognizing the shortage of mentors when he started, Bikesh has made ecosystem building a core focus. 1337 Ventures manages an Angel Club with over 250 investors across multiple countries, creating a network that helps startups secure follow-on funding. The firm also operates Leet Capital, Malaysia’s licensed equity crowdfunding platform, offering alternative funding avenues to startups and SMEs. This holistic approach ensures startups receive guidance, capital, and vital industry connections, accelerating their growth trajectories.

6. Corporate Collaboration and Innovation Facilitation

Beyond direct investments, Bikesh has uniquely positioned 1337 Ventures as a bridge between startups and large corporations. By vetting startups through Alpha Startups and matching them with corporate partners for proof of concepts (POCs), Bikesh helps de-risk corporate vendor compliance challenges. This role tapped into during the pandemic has accelerated corporate innovation and enabled startups to gain vital market validation and customers. One example is 1337 Ventures' collaboration with RHB Bank on launching an ASEAN accelerator, showcasing its expanding regional influence.

7. Commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact

1337 Ventures under Bikesh’s leadership has funded startups driving sustainable innovation, such as Arus Oil. Arus Oil is a Malaysian startup focused on recycling used cooking oil into renewable biodiesel. This aligns with Bikesh’s broader vision of startups contributing to environmental and community well-being while scaling commercially. Supporting these impact-driven startups reflects 1337 Ventures’ dual priorities of fostering innovation and promoting sustainable development within Malaysia and beyond.

8. Expanding Regional Reach and Startup Diversity

While initially focused on Malaysia, Bikesh has steered 1337 Ventures to invest across Southeast Asia, supporting a diverse range of sectors such as fintech, healthtech, space technology, and AI. For instance, recent portfolio companies include Vircle, a neobank improving financial literacy among children, and Rebee Health, a Singapore-based digital physiotherapy platform. This geographic and sectoral expansion is designed to tap into the region’s growing digital economy and foster cross-border innovation.

9. Challenges and Adaptations Over a Decade

Bikesh’s experience reveals the many challenges inherent in early-stage investing in Southeast Asia, such as immature startup readiness, limited follow-on funding options, and founder inexperience. Transitioning Alpha Startups online during the pandemic and shifting investment strategies to favor business teams over pure tech talent were adaptive responses to these challenges. Bikesh openly shares lessons learned from failures and pivots, reinforcing his role not only as an investor but also as an ecosystem mentor who guides startups toward sustainable success.

10. Vision for the Future and the Malaysian Startup Scene

Looking forward, Bikesh is optimistic about Malaysia’s startup ecosystem but underscores the persistent gap in early-stage funding and the need for continued mentorship and corporate support. In 2023, he launched the 1337 Alpha Fund 1 with RM15 million targeted to provide clearer funding pathways from seed to pre-Series A stages. Bikesh advocates for a formulaic approach involving local corporate giants to build Malaysian unicorns. His personal mantra emphasizes purposeful entrepreneurship and giving back as key drivers for the ecosystem’s continued growth.

Conclusion

Bikesh Lakhmichand stands out as a visionary leader in Malaysia’s startup ecosystem, driven by a passion for empowering entrepreneurs and a clear understanding of the hurdles they face. Through 1337 Ventures and its flagship programs, he has architected a comprehensive support system combining funding, mentorship, and corporate partnerships that have transformed the trajectories of hundreds of startups. His journey from a self-taught coder and educator to an influential venture capitalist and ecosystem builder offers valuable insights into building a startup ecosystem from the ground up. As Malaysia strives for regional tech leadership and unicorn success, Bikesh’s work exemplifies the power of purpose-driven venture capital in shaping the future of innovation.