[Profile] Aiman Hakim: The Visionary Giving 'Ugly' Fruits a Sweet Second Chance

The Profile Snapshot

In the competitive landscape of Malaysian F&B, a new kind of entrepreneur is emerging—one driven by purpose as much as profit. At the forefront is Aiman Hakim, a young founder whose vision is as refreshing as his product. He is not just selling gelato; he is championing a movement against food waste, one scoop at a time.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Aiman Hakim
• 🏷️ Role: Founder & CEO, BuahHati Gelato
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Purpose-Driven Innovation

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Aiman Hakim is making headlines because his venture, BuahHati Gelato, successfully closed a significant pre-seed funding round from a consortium of impact-focused investors. This validation signals a shift in the local investment scene, showing strong appetite for businesses that embed social and environmental solutions into their core model. His story—founding a brand at 19 that rescues 'ugly' and surplus local fruits—resonates deeply in a market increasingly conscious of sustainability and homegrown innovation.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Speaking from his small-batch production kitchen, Aiman's passion is palpable. He doesn't frame his mission as charity, but as intelligent, systemic business. "We see what others call 'waste' as our most valuable ingredient," he explains, gesturing to crates of slightly misshapen mangoes and undersized durians. His conviction is that true sustainability must be delicious and accessible, not a premium niche.

Reflecting on his start at 19, he candidly admits the initial skepticism was a fuel. "People saw a kid with a gelato machine. I saw a supply chain problem with a sweet solution." His leadership style is hands-on and empathetic, often working alongside his small team in sourcing and production. When discussing the future, his eyes light up not at the thought of endless expansion, but at the potential network of local farmers his model could support. "Our success isn't measured just in revenue," he emphasizes, "but in the tonnes of fruit we redirect from landfills and the livelihoods we help stabilize."

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Founded at 19: Bootstrapped BuahHati Gelato while still a university student, turning a final-year project into a viable business.
• Impact Partnership: Forged direct partnerships with over 15 local fruit farms and wholesalers, creating a reliable offtake channel for their surplus produce.
• Funding Validation: Secured pre-seed funding from notable impact investors, a rare feat for a youth-led F&B startup in Malaysia.
• Brand Recognition: Grew BuahHati from a single pop-up stall to a brand with a dedicated kiosk and presence in select premium supermarkets within 18 months.
• Industry Advocate: Invited as a speaker at regional sustainability forums, positioning him as a young voice for circular economy principles in agri-business.

The Editor's Take

Aiman Hakim represents the new archetype of the Malaysian entrepreneur: tech-savvy, globally-minded, yet deeply rooted in local community and environmental stewardship. He is a Catalyst Leader—one who identifies a broken link in the system and builds a business to fix it. His approach blends the idealism of youth with a sharp, pragmatic understanding of supply chains and consumer behaviour.

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 9/10 – His vision extends beyond gelato to a model for circular food systems.
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 8/10 – Demonstrated remarkable grit in moving from concept to funded, operational business in a short time.
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 7/10 – Growing rapidly; becoming a reference point for purpose-driven F&B startups.

"Don't just build a better product. Build a better ingredient story. That's where real value—and values—are created."