JAZRO Robotic Academy (JAZRO), a robotics education startup incubated by PETRONAS Innovation Garage (PING), has announced an investment of $283,000 (RM1.2 million) from Gobi Partners through the Khazanah Nasional Berhad-backed Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund. This significant financing will not only allow the company to expand its educational offerings but also reach more young learners, thereby nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy innovators and shaping the future of robotics education.
Founded in 2020 by Ir. Dzulfarqeish Bin Zainuddin, alongside co-founders Yasser Rabanie and Khoirun Nisah, JAZRO is dedicated to enabling inclusive education for all children through its specially curated robotic education programme. The company’s inception was inspired by the lack of robotics programmes available when Dzulfarqeish sought to enrol his son while working as an engineer in Kerteh. The absence of structured robotics education programmes in Malaysia presented a significant gap amidst rising demand for technological advancement. Since then, the firm has expanded its operations to Kerteh, Kuala Terengganu, Chukai, and Cyberjaya, providing robotic education to over 50,000 students.
The engaging curriculum at JAZRO is designed to cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or abilities, can thrive in a technology-driven environment. This commitment to inclusivity is further demonstrated by expanding its business segment to include robotic education specifically tailored for autistic children, delivered by specially trained tutors in collaboration with occupational therapists, to help these children develop cognitive, communication, and social skills.
Speaking about the company, JAZRO co-founder and CEO Ir. Dzulfarqeish Bin Zainuddin said:
We are deeply grateful for this significant investment, which validates our vision and empowers us to accelerate growth. This milestone is a testament to our team’s hard work and our investors’ trust in us. We are committed to driving innovation and creating value for the communities we serve. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, discover, and explore the exciting world of robotics.
JAZRO is one of the four employee startups incubated under PETRONAS Innovation Garage (PING), PETRONAS’ internal incubator for employees to develop ideas into investible startups. Established in 2023, PING provides selected employees with entrepreneurship development programmes, coaching, access to resources, and funding, supported by policies that allow them to build their businesses as founders of their startups.
Commenting on the fundraising, Gobi Partners Managing Partner (Malaysia) Jamaludin Bujang said:
Our partnership with JAZRO reflects Gobi Partners’ dedication to nurturing startups that drive social impact through technology. We are confident that with our support, JAZRO will continue to expand its reach and inspire the next generation of innovators across the region.
By making robotics education more accessible, JAZRO’s mission is to equip the younger generation with essential skills to thrive in the digital age and contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth. This aligns with the Malaysian government’s policy, Dasar Pendidikan Digital, which aims to close the gap in digital literacy among students and educators. This funding reflects Gobi’s mission to bridge the digital divide by supporting startups that provide access to quality education and essential tools for success in the digital economy.
