Write an article about Alliance Bank launches M’sia’s first feature-length SME business pitch film .Organize the content with appropriate headings and subheadings (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6), Retain any existing tags from (From left) iQIYI head of brand partnerships (APAC & Middle East) Evangeline Song, Alliance Bank Group CEO Kellee Kam, 1337 Ventures CEO Bikesh Lakhmichand, 5X Capital partner Natalie Tan, and Advisory Ampersand CEO Sandeep Joseph at the launch of ‘The Ultimate Elevator Pitch’.
KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance Bank Bhd today launched “The Ultimate Elevator Pitch” – Malaysia’s first feature-length SME business pitch film, a movie focused on SME entrepreneurship offering a behind-the-scenes view of Alliance Bank’s BizSmart Challenge.
A collaboration between Alliance Bank and multi-awarded local agency Ampersand Advisory, the film saw its red-carpet premiere at Velvet Cinemas by GSC here on June 26.
Screening exclusively on streaming platform iQIYI from July 18, “The Ultimate Elevator Pitch” shows the grit, vulnerability, and determination behind the nation’s SME founders.
(From left) Alliance Bank group chief strategy and transformation officer Aaron Sum, Sandeep Joseph, Bikesh Lakhmichand, Kellee Kam, Natalie Tan, Evangeline Song, and Alliance Bank group chief business and transaction banking officer Raymond Chui during a press conference at the launch of ‘The Ultimate Elevator Pitch’.
The BizSmart Challenge is Alliance Bank’s flagship SME development programme, created to empower local entrepreneurs with access to funding, mentorship, and market exposure.
The programme celebrated its 10th year last year with its “Accelerator Edition”, a months-long programme that saw finalists go through, among others, a four-day Accelerator Programme, business coaching, a five-minute business pitch, 60-second elevator pitch and the final three-minute pitch to a panel of industry leaders.
Speaking at the premiere, Alliance Bank Group CEO Kellee Kam said June 27 would mark World MSME Day, a day that “shines a light on the dreamers and doers” – micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.
“Here at Alliance Bank, we don’t want to just mark this as another day on the calendar. We want to elevate, celebrate and bring it to life, because we understand that when small businesses grow, our country thrives.
“That’s why back in 2013, we launched the BizSmart Challenge – not just to hand out funds or offer mentorship, but to ignite the belief that bold ideas deserve a stage, no matter how small they start,” he said.
The premiere was also attended by 1337 Ventures CEO Bikesh Lakhmichand and 5X Capital partner Natalie Tan, whose mentorship during the programme is captured in the film, as well as Ampersand Advisory co-founder and CEO Sandeep Joseph, who directed it.
Sandeep described the journey of making the documentary as “very long, but exciting”.
“We enjoyed meeting entrepreneurs and understanding them. I think the real heroes of this movie are the entrepreneurs themselves. You’ll see the unguarded moments, real emotions, investor debates, and mentorship that shape growth. It’s raw, relatable and relevant,” he said.
When asked why iQIYI had decided to partner with Alliance Bank, the platform’s head of brand partnerships (Apac & Middle East) Evangeline Song said they were drawn to its boldness as an SME pitch film that showcases the “real grit that goes beyond the boardroom”.
“This story hit all the right notes: entrepreneurship, resilience, and impact. We’re excited to bring such authentic, homegrown stories to a wider audience through this collaboration,” she said.
Separately, Alliance Bank group chief strategy and transformation officer Aaron Sum said the BizSmart Challenge had helped SMEs grow through funding, mentorship, “and now, national exposure through this film”.
“It shows that Alliance Bank is more than a bank – we’re a long-term partner in their journey,” he said.
The launch of “The Ultimate Elevator Pitch” serves as a prelude to the upcoming BizSmart Business Conference on Oct 7. The conference will feature over 35 speakers, including industry leaders such as Colony CEO Timothy Tiah, A Cut Above founder Winnie Loo, and the three most recent BizSmart Challenge winners: BioLoop, Gula Cakery, and HiiVolt.
To mark World MSME Day, a special early bird ticket price of RM88 is available until July 3.
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