Moving The World Forward. Redefining An Industry, One Step At A Time. Hanif Wahid, Founder Of Delyva, Shares

Tell us, who is Hanif Wahid in your eyes?

I see myself first and foremost as a problem-solver. I’m someone who has always been fascinated by how technology can simplify everyday challenges. As the Founder & CEO of Delyva, I wear many hats—but at my core, I’m a builder. I enjoy bringing ideas to life, rallying people around a vision, and shaping solutions that empower businesses. I also see myself as a father and husband, which reminds me daily that the work we do isn’t just about technology—it’s about building something meaningful that improves lives.

Every great idea comes from a moment of frustration. We need to know what that exact moment was when you realised the logistics industry was broken, and what’s the story behind the first step you took to fix it?

The idea for Delyva really began when we launched Matdespatch.com. At the time, online shopping was growing fast, but deliveries were still slow and clunky. We thought: “Why can’t shoppers get their purchases the same day—buy in the morning, receive them by afternoon?” That was the seed.

As we grew, we listened to businesses and studied the industry closely. We realised the real pain points weren’t just about speed—they were about complexity, lack of options, and inefficiency. SMEs had to juggle multiple couriers, manage unpredictable costs, and often couldn’t scale because logistics held them back. That frustration pushed us to evolve Matdespatch into what is now Delyva—a platform that offers not just instant and same-day delivery, but also standard shipping, international services, cold chain, restock solution, and more.

From what we see, you're not just building a company. You're disrupting certain elements of the entire system within the industry. How did you convince others to believe in your unconventional approach to change those old-school ways of doing things?

At the start, it was difficult. The industry was set in its ways, and we were introducing an approach that went against the “old-school” mindset. My strategy was simple: let the results speak. We focused on working with forward-thinking SMEs who were willing to try something new. When they started saving time, delighting their customers, and even expanding into new markets because of our solutions, it created a ripple effect.

Inside Delyva, I fostered a culture of evidence-driven innovation. We didn’t just push ideas—we tested, measured, and refined until we had proof. Slowly but surely, even the sceptics began to see that this wasn’t disruption for the sake of disruption—it was the natural next step for the industry.

Beyond your company's success, what's the ultimate change you hope to bring to the world? Paint a picture for us of what logistics will look like in 10 years because of your work.

I want logistics to become so seamless that people almost forget it exists. Just like electricity or the internet—it should just work.

In the next 10 years, I envision logistics that are predictive, sustainable, and borderless. AI will help businesses anticipate their shipping needs. Green fleets and smart routing will make deliveries faster and more eco-friendly. A small café in Kuala Lumpur will be able to restock ingredients as easily as a big FMCG distributor—and sell worldwide with the same confidence as selling down the street.

If Delyva succeeds, we will have unlocked that future for millions of SMEs—giving them access to world-class logistics and levelling the playing field with bigger players.

What is that one profound fact you've learned about building a company that you could only have discovered after jumping into it?

That no amount of planning can replace learning by doing. When we first started, we had ideas, but the most valuable lessons only came once we jumped in—listening to customers, testing solutions, and adapting quickly. I’ve also learned that resilience is everything. Entrepreneurship isn’t linear; it’s a constant cycle of challenges, pivots, and breakthroughs. The key is holding on to a clear vision of why you exist while being flexible about how you get there.

At the end of the day, building a company isn’t just about growing revenue—it’s about building something that outlives you, creates impact, and redefines what’s possible in an industry.