Ashran Ghazi appointed Mranti CEO to drive Malaysia’s innovation agenda

He brings extensive experience in technology, data and entrepreneurship.

SHAH ALAM – Ashran Ghazi has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (Mranti), effective Dec 8.

In a statement, Mranti chairperson Professor Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman welcomed the appointment, emphasising Ashran’s strong background in building innovation ecosystems and advancing data-driven enterprises.

“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Ashran Ghazi as the new CEO of Mranti.

“His track record in building innovation ecosystems, working with data-driven businesses and championing entrepreneurs is strongly aligned with Mranti’s mandate to turn ideas into impact for the nation,” she said.

She added that the board is confident that, under his leadership, Mranti will continue to strengthen Malaysia’s innovation and commercialisation pathway.

Rofina said it will also deepen collaboration with industry, academia and government, while supporting national priorities in high-impact technology areas, particularly in RDICE.

Ashran brings extensive experience in technology, data and entrepreneurship.

Before joining Mranti, he served as Dattel Asia Group CEO, a regional data analytics and AI company helping businesses across Southeast Asia make insight-led decisions.

He also previously helmed the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) between 2016 and 2018, where he drove initiatives that boosted Malaysia’s startup landscape and expanded global partnerships.

Over his career, Ashran has played a central role in nurturing innovation communities, developing national-level digital economy initiatives and advising technology-driven enterprises.

He is also a founding member of National AI Consortium, an ecosystem platform advocating for Malaysia’s AI development through strategic policies and investments.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Computer Information Systems, Ashran is recognised for championing policies and programmes that accelerate technology adoption and ecosystem growth.

As CEO, Mranti said Ashran will lead Mranti’s mission to fast-track Malaysian innovations from “idea to impact”.

His focus will centre on connecting Malaysian innovators with industry, investors and public sector stakeholders, while strengthening Mranti Park as the nation’s hub for innovation, particularly in autonomous technologies and life sciences.

He will also harness emerging technologies, including 5G and artificial intelligence, to drive socio-economic development in line with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) goals.

His appointment comes at a crucial time as Malaysia ramps up efforts to commercialise homegrown technologies, develop deeptech ventures and position itself as a competitive regional innovation hub.

With Ashran at the helm, Mranti aims to reinforce its role as the nation’s central research commercialisation agency, delivering measurable economic and societal outcomes through stronger industry linkages, scalable innovation programmes and clearer pathways from laboratory breakthroughs to market-ready solutions.