Aaron Nagai (left), founder of PetrolPrice, with Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School and former Chief Technology Officer of Coinbase, whose Balaji Fund recently backed the Malaysian AI startup

Fuel prices are among the few things that affect almost everyone, whether it’s the daily commute, running a business or managing household expenses. Yet, finding reliable and consistent fuel price information across different countries remains a challenge.

Recognising this gap, Sarawak entrepreneur Aaron Nagai has developed PetrolPrice, an artificial intelligence-powered platform that tracks and analyses fuel prices across 196 markets worldwide.

The startup recently secured pre-seed funding from the Balaji Fund, led by Balaji Srinivasan, founder of Network School and former Chief Technology Officer of Coinbase. The investment values PetrolPrice at US$2 million, marking an early milestone for the Malaysian-built technology platform.

PetrolPrice collects, verifies and analyses the prices of essential energy commodities, including petrol, diesel and electricity. Using artificial intelligence and automated data collection, the platform aims to make energy pricing easier to understand for consumers, businesses and policymakers alike.

According to Nagai, fuel prices have a direct impact on billions of people, yet global pricing information remains fragmented and difficult to access.

“We’re building the world’s most comprehensive energy intelligence platform, making energy pricing as accessible and transparent as financial market data,” he said.

The backing from Balaji Srinivasan places PetrolPrice among a portfolio of technology companies supported by one of Silicon Valley’s well-known investors. Through the Balaji Fund, Srinivasan has invested in startups such as OpenSea, Luma and Polymarket, as well as companies developing solutions on blockchain ecosystems including Ethereum, Solana and Polygon.

Beyond the investment itself, PetrolPrice also reflects the growing ambition of Malaysian entrepreneurs to develop technology with global relevance. Rather than focusing solely on the local market, startups are increasingly building products that solve international challenges while competing on a global stage.

For Malaysia’s startup ecosystem, stories like this serve as an encouraging reminder that local innovation can attract international confidence when paired with strong ideas and scalable technology.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, PetrolPrice represents another example of how Malaysian founders are creating practical solutions with the potential to reach users far beyond the country’s borders.

Article source and photo from PressKL