In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming industries at breakneck speed, many people assume that the future belongs exclusively to elite engineers with prestigious degrees and years of experience. But in Malaysia, two entrepreneurs are challenging that narrative.

Through KrackedDevs, co-founders Fadli Khalid and Danial Alias are proving that some of the most talented builders aren’t found in Silicon Valley boardrooms or top universities. They are hidden in technical support departments, recruitment agencies, classrooms, and ordinary workplaces across the country. All they need is a community that believes in them.

In just six months, KrackedDevs has grown into one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing grassroots tech communities, attracting more than 1,600 members entirely through word of mouth. What began as an experiment has evolved into a movement dedicated to helping Malaysians leverage AI to become creators rather than mere consumers of technology.

Two Unconventional Journeys Into Tech

Neither Fadli nor Danial followed the traditional path into entrepreneurship. Fadli’s journey began far away from startup accelerators and venture capital circles. He worked in technical support roles across various companies, while coding remained nothing more than a hobby. Long before “vibecoding” became a popular term in the AI era, he was already experimenting with software development simply because he enjoyed building things.

“My path wasn’t a traditional corporate software engineering track,” Fadli says. “Coding started for me simply as a hobby. I was just experimenting, learning, and building for the fun of it.” That curiosity gradually evolved into expertise, eventually leading him to become the core developer and co-founder of KrackedDevs.

Danial’s journey took an equally unconventional route. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, he studied Mathematics and Computing before deciding to leave university and enter the recruitment industry instead.

Over the years, he worked with construction, engineering, and education firms, gaining firsthand exposure to how businesses actually function behind the scenes. Later, he launched his own freelance practice, helping recruitment agencies automate processes using data and technology.

His entrepreneurial instincts led him to co-found a startup that built AI agents capable of calling and vetting thousands of candidates within minutes. After eventually relocating to Malaysia, he knew he wanted to build something with deeper impact.

“Once I moved back to Malaysia, I knew I wanted to build something meaningful here,” Danial says. “That’s how I ended up co-founding KrackedDevs.”

Unlocking Malaysia’s Hidden Talent

The inspiration behind KrackedDevs emerged from a simple observation. Malaysia possesses enormous untapped talent. Across the country, thousands of people are curious about technology and eager to build products of their own. Yet many hesitate to take the first step. Some are intimidated by the technical barriers. Others assume they lack the qualifications needed to succeed.

Fadli and Danial saw these individuals everywhere. “We noticed how much incredible talent is tucked away here in Malaysia,” they explain. “There are so many people who are genuinely curious about building things, but they often feel like they have to keep that passion a secret.”

At the same time, artificial intelligence was fundamentally changing what individuals could accomplish. Tasks that once required large engineering teams suddenly became accessible to solo builders equipped with the right tools and guidance. The co-founders believed this shift created a historic opportunity. “We all have dormant potential waiting for a little nudge,” they say. “With AI changing the landscape, there are suddenly hundreds of thousands of Malaysians who could be creating amazing things.” KrackedDevs was built to become the home for that potential.

Rather than focusing exclusively on experienced developers, the community welcomes complete beginners. Members are guided through the fundamentals before progressing toward advanced topics such as infrastructure management, deployment, and product development.

“You don’t need to be an expert to join us,” they explain. “We walk through the basics together, help find that initial spark, and stay with you all the way through the advanced stuff.”

More Than a Community

What excites the founders most isn’t merely growth metrics. It’s watching people transform. For Fadli, the most rewarding moments come from seeing new members join the community, submit projects, and eagerly ask when the next learning session will take place. But the real magic unfolds inside KrackedDevs’ Discord server.

Daily conversations evolve into brainstorming sessions. Questions posted by newcomers receive answers from experienced members. Ideas that once existed only in someone’s imagination become collaborative projects built together. “Seeing members throw out raw questions and wild ideas, and knowing there will always be someone stepping up to help, that’s the real magic,” Fadli says.

Danial finds energy in the speed at which the community creates. “We’re constantly launching a new product, a new feature, or tackling a fresh idea,” he says. “I love knowing that what we’re building today could be exactly the tool someone out there has been waiting for.”

Yet the deeper satisfaction comes from watching members evolve from learners into mentors. “Seeing members who joined yesterday start guiding those who joined today, that’s the cycle I never want to end.”

Building Through Action

KrackedDevs measures success differently from many startup communities. The focus isn’t hype. It’s execution. In just six months, the community has grown to more than 1,600 members without spending money on advertising. Growth has been driven entirely by referrals and word of mouth.

Even more impressively, members have collectively submitted over 130 projects to the community showcase. For the founders, these projects represent tangible proof that KrackedDevs is fulfilling its mission. “We’re turning people who just wanted to learn into people who are actually building things,” they say. 

Alongside community initiatives, KrackedDevs has launched several real-world products, including:

• jomqr.my
• cofounders.my
• rotican.ai
• sensin

Each launch reinforces an important lesson: learning happens most effectively through doing. Perhaps the community’s most distinctive characteristic is its self-sustaining learning model. Experienced members naturally become tutors and mentors for newcomers, creating a cycle of generosity where knowledge is continuously passed forward.

Connecting Learning With Employment

Looking ahead, KrackedDevs wants to solve another critical problem. The gap between learning and employment. For 2026 and 2027, the company’s primary focus will be expanding its job platform. The objective is twofold.  First, community members should be able to transition smoothly from acquiring skills to securing meaningful employment opportunities.

Second, employers should gain access to a trusted pool of talented individuals who have already demonstrated initiative and practical capabilities through the community.

“We’re seriously upgrading our job board platform,” the founders explain. “It gives members a smooth way to find opportunities while allowing companies access to talent we’ve personally screened and trust.”

Alongside this initiative, KrackedDevs plans to continue building community-led micro-SaaS products designed to address local Malaysian challenges.

The Challenge of Building Trust

Starting a community from scratch was never easy. Fadli admits that one of the most difficult aspects involved overcoming skepticism. “When you first start with good intentions, it’s surprising how many people assume you have hidden motives,” he says. Not everyone immediately understood what KrackedDevs was trying to accomplish.

Over time, however, the founders learned an important lesson. Trying to please everyone is impossible. Instead, they focused relentlessly on serving the individuals who genuinely wanted to learn and contribute. “We just focus all our energy on the people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and build.” That clarity of purpose ultimately attracted the right people.

Sustainable Growth Over Rapid Growth

Unlike startups obsessed with aggressive expansion at all costs, KrackedDevs prioritizes sustainability. Their model is straightforward. Revenue generated from successful products is reinvested into strengthening the community, developing new tools, and supporting future builders. “We aren’t interested in just growing fast,” they explain. “We want to build something strong and sustainable that gets better over time.”

The founders describe it as a virtuous cycle. The community inspires products. The products generate revenue. The revenue funds better learning experiences, more opportunities, and stronger support systems. “The community drives the product, and the product funds the community,” they say.

Advice for Muslim Entrepreneurs

When speaking to aspiring Muslim entrepreneurs, Fadli and Danial encourage experimentation. “Don’t be afraid to try something new,” they advise. While artificial intelligence dominates headlines, they caution against viewing it as a shortcut. “AI is only a tool,” they explain. “The way you choose to use it is what truly defines your goals and your success.”

Technology can amplify both positive and negative intentions. “If you approach it with dedication and clarity, results will follow. But if you misuse it or look for shortcuts, the outcome is entirely on you.” Their advice remains timeless. Focus on creating genuine value.

Building a Legacy of Builders

When they think about the future, Fadli and Danial don’t dream solely of valuations or exits. Instead, they envision a Malaysia where people are no longer intimidated by technology. They hope to see creators emerge from every background, regardless of educational credentials, professional titles, or previous experience. “We want our legacy to be about stripping away that fear people have of technology,” they say.

If KrackedDevs can demonstrate that hidden talent flourishes when given encouragement, community, and opportunity, then they believe they will have succeeded. Years from now, they hope their greatest contribution won’t simply be the products they built. It will be the people they empowered to build.

Mohammed Abubakr

Mohammed Abubakr is the Founder & Editor of StartupMuslim.com. Through StartupMuslim, he documents the journeys of Muslim founders across industries, focusing on the challenges they overcome, the vision that drives them, and the impact they create.His work centers on building a narrative layer for the global Muslim startup ecosystem—one that not only highlights success, but also captures the process, discipline, and values behind it. By conducting in-depth interviews and publishing founder stories, he aims to inspire and enable the next generation of Muslim entrepreneurs to think bigger and build with purpose.