As Impact Ecosystem Builder for TOY8, a support activity delivered under our hyumpact ventures service line, we are delighted to announce the publication of the research project report 「Advancing Inclusive Education from the early ages in ASEAN using AI and digital technologies」 realized in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

​The research project report explores inclusive early childhood care and education in Malaysia, with a particular focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies into developmental screening and intervention for preschool-aged children.

The research project report available for download at the ERIA Publications centre here is co-authored by Bruno Abrioux Takano, TOY8 Impact Ecosystem Builder, hyumpact ventures at encognize G.K., Chui Yee Chong, TOY8 Child Development Support Manager and Masaki Ishibashi, TOY8 Co-Founder and CEO.

Report Abstract
(source: ERIA Publications Research Project Reports)

This report explores inclusive early childhood care and education in Malaysia, with a particular focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies into developmental screening and intervention for preschool-aged children.
While Malaysia has established a strong policy foundation for inclusion, significant challenges remain. Access to screening and intervention services is still limited, fragmented, and uneven, particularly for children aged three to six.
To help address these systemic gaps, TOY8 proposes an Inclusive Education 2.0 model that leverages AI-powered, mobile-based developmental screening tools and a digitalised Individual Education Programme (IEP). This model is designed to enable early identification of developmental delays, streamline individualised intervention, and strengthen collaboration amongst stakeholders.
Initial pilot studies in Sarawak have shown promising results, including improved detection rates, shorter delays in intervention, and strengthened inclusive practices.
The report concludes by calling for strategic policy reforms, cross-sectoral collaboration, and investment in scalable, ethically grounded digital solutions to accelerate the development of inclusive education systems in Malaysia.

【About TOY8】
By leveraging AI, digital tools and structured pathways to facilitate the early identification of developmental delays, provide targeted intervention support, and ensure smooth transitions into inclusive learning environments for preschoolers, TOY8 aims to address critical gaps and challenges that governments often encounter in implementing inclusive education systems for the early ages, starting in Malaysia and now expanding to other countries in the APAC region.

【About ERIA】
ERIA is an international organisation established in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2008 through a formal agreement amongst the leaders of 16 East Asian countries. Its mission is to conduct research and provide policy recommendations to advance economic integration across the region.

【About hyumpact ventures】
hyumpact ventures is the encognize G.K. service line dedicated to helping innovative companies that can make a net positive impact to our world amplify their impact globally through ecosystem building and fractional expansion support services.

As part of our XBORDR service line, our encognize Cross-Border Expansion Validation Partners collaborated throughout  with the Global Incubator Network (GIN) Austria and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG during Q3 2025 to support strategic preparation for cohorts of innovative Life Science, BioTech and MedTech companies targeting market expansion into Japan and Singapore.

These healthcare / medical sector innovation-focused expansion support activities are fully embedded within our X.HEALTH initiative:
「Building the Future of Healthcare in Japan, Singapore/SEA and South Korea」,
an initiative that encompasses Expansion Strategic Preparation, Expansion De-Risking & Market Validation and Expansion Strategy Field Execution support delivered through group missions or bespoke team augmentation services with our medical experts network business partner.

As of October 2025, we have supported more than 30 startups & scaleups from 10 different countries with innovation spanning the entire Healthcare and Medical Ecosystem (MedTech, BioTech & Life Sciences, HealthTech & Digital Health) in their expansion journeys.

Examples of supported innovation to date include:

• AI SaMD for specific cancer types detection
• Algae-based biomaterial development
• AI Drug Discovery Platform
• AI-based sleep analysis
• Biofeedback device for amputees
• Mental health digital app
• Organoid-based regenerative medicine platform
• Digital early childhood developmental delay screening and intervention
• Bedsore detection device
• ...

Sample of outcomes realized for the companies we have supported (for different types of engagements and maturities) include:

• medical device early adopter identification and qualification
• joint validation project qualification with medical organization
• finding and confirming distributor for musculoskeletal disease prevention solution
• securing government-led ASEAN cross-country collaboration engagement
• regulatory / reimbursement strategy hypothesis and related execution pathways
• ...

encognize G.K. Cross-Border Innovation Partner and COO, Brian Lim, has welcomed with the Osaka Innovation Hub (OIH) team a Nordic delegation composed of startups, investors and ecosystem multipliers, all eager to explore collaboration opportunities with Japanese stakeholders, on Day 1 of their 1-week Osaka-Tokyo tour.

Alongside Sho Enokido, Brian and the delegation discussed the 5 pillars of success for international expansion, focusing specifically on the Japanese innovation ecosystem and how to build successful collaborative engagements with domestic organizations.
The afternoon was dedicated to the startups for refining and practicing their pitches, including feedback and peer learning sessions, so that everyone could get fully prepared for their week in Osaka, at World Expo and in Tokyo.

More about the Nordic delegation and Japan Tour here