Lettuboost Enterprise stands as a powerful example of how interdisciplinary collaboration within the university can drive meaningful innovation.
Recently recognised as a national winner of Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2025, and further supported by TEGAS, the Sarawak-based startup secured a combined RM50,000 in funding—RM30,000 from Shell LiveWire and RM20,000 from TEGAS—to scale its sustainable aquaculture solution.
At the heart of Lettuboost’s success is the seamless integration of expertise from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT) and the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
This collaboration demonstrates how bridging technology with applied science can transform academic ideas into solutions with real-world impact.
Lettuboost addresses environmental and economic challenges by converting water lettuce, an invasive aquatic plant, into nutrient-enriched fish feed pellets.
While the scientific foundation of the feed formulation was driven by biotechnology research, the transformation into a scalable and market-ready product was made possible through technological innovation.
The combination of biological research and digital problem-solving allowed the team to optimise production processes, analyse feed performance, and develop a sustainable business model grounded in data and efficiency.
The team behind Lettuboost reflects this interdisciplinary strength.
Mohammad Zulhilmi bin Abang Mohammad Reduan, an alumnus of FCSIT and a 2025 graduate in Software Engineering with Honours, brought technological thinking, system optimisation, and digital strategy into the venture.
Working alongside him are Pavithran Julieus a/l Sudhave and Neil Erickson anak Nelyson, Master’s students in Biotechnology from the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, whose scientific expertise ensured the nutritional integrity, safety, and effectiveness of the feed formulation.
Together, their combined perspectives enabled Lettuboost to evolve beyond a laboratory experiment into a viable startup.
What makes Lettuboost distinctive is not only its product, but also its development approach.
Scientific experimentation informed the feed’s composition, while computational thinking and digital tools supported trial analysis, cost modelling, scalability planning, and future automation potential.
This cross-faculty synergy accelerated decision-making and reduced the gap between research and commercialisation.
The startup’s journey began within the university environment, where academic guidance, experimentation, and collaboration laid the groundwork for innovation.
Through participation in the Shell LiveWire programme, the team refined their entrepreneurial capabilities, gained industry exposure, and strengthened their confidence in bringing a university-born solution to market.
The additional support from TEGAS further reinforced the importance of nurturing Sarawak-grown talent and ideas.
With the combined RM50,000 funding, Lettuboost aims to expand production capacity, improve processing efficiency, and conduct extended feed trials with local fish farmers.
Beyond business growth, the team remains committed to supporting sustainable aquaculture practices and empowering small-scale farmers with affordable, locally sourced feed alternatives.
Throughout their journey, Lettuboost was guided by the invaluable mentorship of Dr Lee Kui Soon and Mr Jonathan anak Sidi, whose experience and guidance played a pivotal role in shaping the startup’s direction. Their mentorship extended beyond technical advice, offering strategic insights, critical feedback, and encouragement during key stages of development.
From refining the product concept to navigating early-stage entrepreneurial challenges, their support helped the team bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application.
The mentors’ belief in Lettuboost’s potential provided both clarity and confidence as the team progressed from experimentation to national recognition.
Lettuboost ultimately exemplifies how collaboration between FCSIT and FRST can create change that extends beyond campus boundaries.
By uniting technology and resource science, the startup highlights the potential of interdisciplinary education to produce graduates who are not only academically capable, but also equipped to solve complex societal and environmental challenges.
Writen by Mohammad Zulhilmi
FCSIT is one of the Premier Digital Tech Institutions endorsed by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
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