“As cliché as it sounds, I learned for the knowledge, not for the grade”
Abdullah Hidayat, an alumnus of Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM), has established himself as a prominent figure in the world of Islamic finance and venture capital. After completing his A-Levels at KYUEM on a full scholarship from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), Hidayat pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science at Herriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. His academic journey was marked by ambition and resilience, overcoming the challenges of a demanding field. Returning to Malaysia, Hidayat’s career at PNB saw him advocating for the implementation of Islamic finance principles, leading to the creation of a new department focused on this area. His strategic thinking and expertise were further recognized during his tenure at the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, where he contributed to pioneering projects in Salam-Based Liquidity Management.
In 2017, Hidayat co-founded Ficus Venture Capital (FVC), the world’s first Shariah-compliant venture capital firm, alongside four partners. FVC aims to create opportunities for start-up companies, fostering growth and innovation within a Shariah-compliant framework. Hidayat’s vision extends to supporting small businesses through Fintech Lab, a training and supervision initiative for potential investees. His leadership and commitment to expanding the reach of Shariah-compliant businesses have significantly impacted Malaysia’s economic landscape. Hidayat’s journey from a KYUEM student to a leader in Islamic finance and venture capital exemplifies his dedication to leveraging unique opportunities and making meaningful contributions to society.
As of this writing, Abdullah Hidayat Mohamad is serving as the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Ficus VC.