Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

Modelling invisible forces in the ocean to protect coastlines and communities is what WAIG Consultancy Sdn Bhd Founder, Jack Teo, does.

He stands in front of his computer screens, watching digital models simulate ocean currents and wave patterns around a proposed coastal development.

It is the kind of work that might sound technical to most people, but for this entrepreneur from Labuan, it is about protecting communities and helping businesses make smarter decisions.

His company specialises in hydraulic and coastal modelling, hydrographic surveys and marine measurements.

The company's focus on sustainable design and practical, eco-friendly solutions for coastal and marine development projects has been recently recognised with national honours at the Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2025, placing it among the country's top five innovative enterprises.

The recognition came with RM30,000 in startup funding and access to Shell's global business network. For Jack and his team in Kota Kinabalu, it is validation that local expertise can compete on any stage.

"We are very proud to be one of the top five winners. This gave us a lot of confidence and motivation going forward,” he said.

Gap in the market

Jack's journey into hydraulic consultancy was not exactly planned. After studying oceanography and meteorology in Perth, he returned to Sabah and noticed something missing.

Few local firms offered the specialised computer modelling services that predict how development projects might affect marine environments.

"I started when I noticed there are not many local consultancies that provide hydraulic modelling services in this region.

"Looking at the potential in Blue Economy, I decided to jump in and get my hair wet,” he said.

The work involves more than just running simulations. WAIG conducts marine surveys and creates detailed computer models showing how proposed projects might impact water flow, sediment patterns and coastal dynamics.

The information gathered helps developers, government agencies and environmental groups make informed decisions before breaking ground.

Jack saw an opportunity to keep this expertise local.

"We hope we are able to make a difference in the community, not only by providing good quality local service, but also retain our local talent with employment instead of letting them move abroad searching for opportunities," he said.

Learning the hard way

The path to success was not smooth. The unpaid invoices, the Covid restrictions, the struggle to be taken seriously as a local firm competing against established international consultancies … Jack has faced them all.

"One of the problems we faced was clients refusing to pay us. It was our fault being naïve. We went ahead to finish the work despite clients being late in their payment,” he said, recalling one particularly painful lesson about trust and business.

The unpaid work stunted WAIG's growth at a do-or-die time. The Covid-19 restrictions added another layer of difficulty, blocking the team from conducting field surveys and site visits.

"Nothing is easy definitely. We will not say we are anywhere yet, but will keep going to make WAIG a recognisable firm,” he said.

He said he finds strength and energy from his wife and their two little boys.

"I have a beautiful and caring wife and we have two boys that are in their terrible threes," said Jack who has called Kota Kinabalu home since his teen years.

His boys might be too young to understand what he does, but Jack hopes one day they will see how their dad helped build something meaningful right here in Sabah.

A different kind of education

When Jack joined Shell LiveWire in 2025, he expected business training. What he got was something that shifted his entire approach.

"The programme was great. We were taught to look more at the business side, instead of just being a pure scientist or researcher,” he said.

The Shell LiveWire programme runs entrepreneurs through state competitions before advancing winners to intensive national training.

Jack worked through a week-long workshop and a three-month accelerator programme, learning to think strategically about growth, sustainability and market positioning.

"This allowed us to plan the future of WAIG more strategically so that the firm is more sustainable," he said.

His mentors, Aaron and Lilyana, played an important role in preparing him for the national finals in Kuching.

"All the guides and lessons from them were implemented in our pitch. Thanks much to Aaron and Lilyana, we were able to be one of the five that won,” he said.

The impact

The results came quickly. Since winning the state finals, WAIG has secured two projects.

"Both of them are, I would say, future-defining for WAIG. We hope we can provide our best for these two clients and springboard WAIG into another level,” he said.

The RM30,000 prize money is already being put to work. Jack plans to expand his team by two staff members in the coming months.

He is also investing in specialised equipment and high-end computers capable of running complex simulations.

"Next up will be upping our service and capacity. We intend to serve our clients our very best and grow further in 2026,” he said.

He said the expansion is not just about revenue, pointing out that each new employee represents a talented Sabahan who can build a career without leaving home. Each project completed by local expertise is one less reason for businesses to look elsewhere for answers.

Shell's commitment to local enterprise

Shell LiveWire Malaysia has been supporting entrepreneurs like Jack since launching in Sabah in 2015. The programme identifies promising businesses and provides training, mentoring and funding to help them scale.

"At Shell, we believe entrepreneurship has the power to drive progress," Shell Malaysia Country Chair cum Senior Vice President Upstream Malaysia, Siti Sulaiman, said at the Shell LiveWire Malaysia 2025 awards ceremony held in Kuching, Sarawak.

"Shell LiveWire serves as a launchpad for positive change, as it accelerates local business growth, supports job creation and unlocks innovative responses to social and economic challenges,” she added.

The 2025 programme attracted 180 entrepreneurs nationwide, with 15 advancing to national finals.

The five winners, including WAIG, were selected based on business model strength, team capability, and market traction.

"Globally, we empower thousands of entrepreneurs each year to transform promising ideas into sustainable enterprises," said Siti.

"I am encouraged to see our local entrepreneurs stepping forward, expanding their businesses, creating jobs and uplifting the communities they serve,” she added.

The national winners also gain access to Shell's global LiveWire network, opening doors for international collaboration and knowledge exchange. They will compete for a spot in the Shell Global Top Ten Innovators Awards.

Shell LiveWire is Shell's main programme for helping small businesses grow. It supports economic development by encouraging people to start their own businesses in communities around the world.

The programme started in Sabah in 2015 and Sarawak in 2016, where it has helped young business owners come up with creative solutions to social and economic problems.

In 2022, Shell LiveWire expanded to Peninsular Malaysia, showing Shell's dedication to supporting entrepreneurs throughout the entire country.

Moving forward

Ten years from now, Jack envisions WAIG as more than just a successful consultancy. He wants it to be proof that Sabah can produce and retain world-class technical talent.

"We hope we can make a difference in the community," he said, returning to the theme that drives his work.

For young people considering entrepreneurship, Jack offers straightforward advice born from experience.

"I would say do not blindly follow other people's success stories. Embrace the grind,” said Jack who has a vision of what WAIG can become and the difference it can make.