Matthew Johnny Kulai

Matthew Johnny Kulai, CEO and co-founder of Agridata, leads agricultural transformation in Sabah by blending innovation and collaboration. Born in Keningau, his rural roots fuel his passion for agribusiness. He co-founded Agridata at 22, winning MyHackathon 2020 and earning RM250,000. Further recognition came through Petronas FutureTech 2.0, along with grants such as the Khazanah Impact Innovation Challenge (RM400,000), Cradle CIP Sprint (RM500,000), and the Yayasan Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund 2024 (RM400,000). Together with Sabah Credit Corporation, , Agridata has successfully disbursed over RM1.8 million in 0% interest loans to smallholder farmers, empowering communities across three districts in Sabah and producing more than 100 tonnes of lettuce to date. Matthew’s vision drives Agridata’s mission to support underserved farmers and introduce modern farming methods for a sustainable future.

To me, making an impact means creating lasting change that uplifts rural communities and empowers people to achieve financial and knowledge freedom. Through Agridata, I strive to equip rural communities with access to technology, markets, and knowledge, enabling them to grow sustainably, earn better incomes, and inspire the next generation to see agriculture as a path to success and financial freedom. Ultimately, it’s about helping them gain independence, confidence, and opportunities to build a better future on their own terms.