AI boom sees more Malaysian firms on Forbes Asia’s Best Under A Billion list
Forbes Asia's 2026 'Best Under A Billion' list features 19 Malaysian companies, more than double the previous year's count. Many of these firms have seen growth driven by the country's expanding AI infrastructure and data center industry.
Why it matters
The inclusion of these firms highlights the economic impact of the global AI boom on small and mid-sized enterprises in Southeast Asia.
The Best Under A Billion list spotlights 200 publicly listed companies out of 19,000 in the Asia-Pacific region. (Bernama pic)
SINGAPORE: Forbes Asia unveiled its 2026 Best Under A Billion list today, featuring 200 of Asia-Pacific’s top-performing small and mid-sized listed companies, with the number of Malaysian firms on the list more than doubling to 19 companies.
In a statement, Forbes Asia said that over half of the Malaysian companies on the list had benefited from the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure boom.
"The small and mid-sized companies appearing on this year’s Forbes Asia’s Best Under A Billion list are successfully navigating the challenges of geopolitical tensions and volatile energy markets.
"The line-up is dominated by businesses that are in step with the fast-evolving tech sector and the global AI boom," it said.
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