Goodday KidSTART 3.0 has officially reached a new milestone as Malaysia’s largest children’s entrepreneurship programme makes its national television debut on Astro Ria and Astro Ceria.
Now in its third consecutive year, the initiative has evolved into a reality-style TV series, bringing inspiring stories of innovation, creativity and courage from young Malaysians into homes nationwide.
The series finale crowned 12-year-old Pearl Liang Yee Herr from SJK(C) Serdang Baru 1, Selangor, as the Goodday KidSTART 3.0 Champion, earning her the RM20,000 grand prize for her innovative solution, AI Unicorn.
Her idea, a customised AI-powered system that helps students find the right school uniform size, was inspired by her own struggles with ill-fitting uniforms and her desire to help other children feel confident at school.
Pearl’s confidence, clarity and real-world problem-solving approach impressed a panel of industry judges from Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd. and the Asia School of Business (ASB), highlighting the growing maturity and potential of Malaysia’s next generation of innovators.
Big Ideas from Young Minds
Taking second place was 12-year-old Muhammad Nukman from SK Sungai Ara, Pulau Pinang, who won RM10,000 for Food Rescue Hub — an eco-conscious concept that uses AI and drones to collect surplus food and convert it into organic fertiliser. His idea reflected strong environmental awareness and technological thinking beyond his years.
Third place went to 9-year-old Teo Kevan from SJK(C) Kuen Cheng 2 for Furever, a short-term pet experience programme designed to teach children basic pet care skills without long-term ownership commitments. The idea was praised for its empathy-driven approach and family-friendly practicality.
From Programme to National Movement
Launched in 2022, Goodday KidSTART was created to nurture financial literacy, communication skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among children aged 7 to 14. Over just three years, the programme has grown from a simple ideation challenge into a nationwide platform that empowers children to observe real-world problems and propose meaningful solutions.
The 2025 edition marked the programme’s strongest showing yet, with over 8,000 submissions — double the number from the previous year. This record-breaking participation reaffirmed Goodday KidSTART’s position as a catalyst for developing confident, empathetic and socially conscious young Malaysians.
A Major Leap to National Television
Goodday KidSTART 3.0 marked a turning point by transforming into a four-episode TV series aired on Astro Ceria and Astro Ria, offering finalists unprecedented visibility and inspiring peers across the country. This new format allowed audiences to witness the children’s journeys beyond final pitches — from idea refinement to real-world challenges and confident presentations.
Key enhancements in this year’s programme included immersive challenge rounds such as a business simulation at KidZania Kuala Lumpur, mentorship from industry leaders, and hands-on pitching experiences designed to sharpen communication and critical thinking skills.
Strong Support from Industry and Education Leaders
Amy Gan, Vice President of Marketing at Etika Sdn. Bhd., shared that Goodday KidSTART reflects the brand’s long-term commitment to nurturing confident and forward-thinking children. She emphasised that supporting children goes beyond nutrition, extending to creating environments where creativity and ideas can flourish.
The programme is also backed by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, with Puan Aniza binti Kamarulzaman highlighting the importance of initiatives that complement classroom learning by fostering creativity, communication and problem-solving skills through hands-on experiences.
Astro’s Chief Content Officer, Agnes Rozario, echoed this sentiment, noting that meaningful content has the power to shape young minds. The collaboration with Goodday KidSTART enables Astro to inspire learning and entrepreneurial thinking among children nationwide.
Recognising Talent Beyond the Podium
Beyond the top three winners, several participants were recognised for outstanding achievements, including Best Presenter, Most Innovative Idea, Best Social Impact and Rising Star awards. SJK(C) Yuk Chai was also honoured with the Highest Participation Award, receiving RM10,000 after recording over 600 entries — the highest among all schools.
Judges from Cradle Fund, ASB and Astro played a pivotal role not only as evaluators but also as mentors, guiding participants to refine their ideas and think strategically. Many judges noted that several concepts demonstrated genuine commercial potential beyond classroom creativity.
Shaping Future-Ready Malaysians
As Goodday KidSTART 3.0 concludes, it stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when children are given the space to imagine, experiment and believe in themselves.
With its expanded reach through national television, the programme continues to inspire families across Malaysia while nurturing the next generation of confident, creative and future-ready innovators.
The Goodday KidSTART 3.0 finale episode will air on 12 January 2026, at 9 PM on Astro Ceria and Ria. For more information, please stay tuned to:
https://www.facebook.com/gooddaymilkmalaysia/
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- Goodday KidSTART 3.0
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- Kid entrepreneurship programme Malaysia
- Astro Ceria Astro Ria
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- AI Unicorn Pearl Liang
- Malaysia kids business competition
- Educational TV series Malaysia
