The Profile Snapshot
In the bustling nexus of Southeast Asia's tech-for-good scene, one name is increasingly synonymous with a mission that marries commercial savvy with profound social impact. Rayner Loi is not just another startup founder; he is the co-founder and CEO of Treatsure, a Singapore-based platform with a significant and growing footprint in Malaysia, turning the colossal problem of food waste into a win-win solution for businesses and consumers.
- 👨💼 Name: Rayner Loi
- 🏷️ Role: Co-Founder & CEO, Treatsure
- 🔑 Key Superpower: Impact-Driven Tech Disruptor
The Catalyst: Why It Matters
Loi and Treatsure are making headlines for pioneering the 'dabao' (takeaway) model for surplus food in the region. Their app connects consumers with hotels, bakeries, and restaurants to purchase high-quality, unsold food at discounts of up to 70%, directly preventing waste. As Malaysia grapples with food security and sustainability, Treatsure's expansion and model offer a tangible, scalable blueprint for change, positioning Loi as a critical voice in Malaysia's circular economy conversation.
The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset
Speaking with the calm intensity of a believer, Rayner Loi frames food waste not as a logistical nuisance, but as a fundamental market inefficiency and a moral failing. He reflects on the journey's inception, noting that the spark wasn't just a business plan, but a visceral reaction to seeing perfectly edible food discarded while food insecurity persisted just blocks away. "We built Treatsure," he emphasizes with conviction, "on a simple premise: what if we could make saving food as convenient and rewarding as ordering food?"
When discussing the Malaysian market, his analysis shifts from passion to precision. He candidly admits that educating both merchants and consumers is the core challenge, far greater than the tech build. His eyes light up describing the 'aha' moment for a hotel manager who sees waste metrics plummet, or a university student who enjoys a five-star buffet meal affordably. For Loi, success is measured in kilos diverted from landfills and in the cultural shift towards valuing resources. He envisions a future where "surplus food" is rebranded as "perfectly good food with a shorter shelf-life," and where platforms like his become a default part of urban living across ASEAN.
Career Milestones & Achievements
- Spearheaded the launch and scaling of Treatsure from a Singapore-focused concept to a regional player with active operations in Malaysia, partnering with major hotel chains and F&B brands.
- Architected the unique B2B2C model that successfully bridges the gap between corporate food waste generators and cost-conscious, eco-aware consumers.
- Led the company to secure significant seed funding from impact investors, validating the commercial viability of the food rescue platform.
- Became a recognised advocate for food waste reduction, representing the startup ecosystem in dialogues with governmental and non-governmental bodies in Malaysia on sustainability policy.
- Pioneered the 'Buffet-in-a-Box' concept during the pandemic, demonstrating agile leadership by pivoting the core business model to survive and thrive under unprecedented conditions.
The Editor's Take
Rayner Loi represents a new breed of ASEAN entrepreneur: the pragmatic idealist. He operates at the intersection of clear-eyed business acumen and a deep-seated desire to fix a broken system. His leadership is less about charismatic pronouncements and more about persistent, ground-level execution and partnership-building. In the Malaysian context, where food culture is rich and waste is a growing concern, his model and mindset are not just welcome—they are necessary.
- 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 9/10
- ⚡ Execution Capability: 8/10
- 🌟 Industry Influence: 7/10
"The most sustainable business model is one that solves a real problem for people and the planet simultaneously. Profit and purpose are not a trade-off; they are the twin engines of lasting impact."