The Venturers

"Strategizing Data. Mobilizing Voices. Transforming Communities."

DR JANIFAL ALIPAL
Founder & Chief Data Strategist


  • Dr. Janifal Alipal is a Sabahan technologist, social entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of Groom Venture. He is the architect behind GROOM (Grassroot Mapping System) and ASAH (Alokasi Suara Akarumbi Hadari)—innovative platforms designed to localize data ownership and empower underserved communities through participatory mapping and digital storytelling.

    With over a decade of experience at the intersection of data science, engineering, and grassroots development, Dr. Janifal blends technical mastery with a deep commitment to social impact. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomaterials, a Master’s in Photonic Algorithms, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. As a Certified Data Scientist (CertNexus, USA), he has led data-driven projects since 2012, focused on transforming insights into action.

    His core philosophy is grounded in one powerful principle: data must begin with the people, serve the people, and return to the people. Through GROOM and ASAH, Dr. Janifal has enabled communities to map their own realities, articulate their needs, and directly influence policy and development agendas.

    Beyond Groom Venture, he serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Dewan Perniagaan Bumiputera Sabah (DPBS) and leads the Borneo Data Strategist Programme, a national initiative supported by the Ministry of Economy to build a digitally competent, data-literate workforce across Borneo.

    Under his leadership, Groom Venture is redefining the role of data in society—bridging the digital divide, championing bottom-up innovation, and advancing a future where technology amplifies community voice and drives inclusive transformation.

""Engineering Data Flow. Unlocking Insights. Powering Community Intelligence."

MARK ELIAS
Data Technologist


  • Mark Elias (from Penampang) is Groom Venture’s Data Technologist, where he bridges the gap between raw data and real-world impact. A Microsoft Certified Data Analyst and Data Scientist, Mark specializes in building the digital infrastructure and workflows that enable Groom’s data to move intelligently—across systems, platforms, and people.

    Mark plays a vital role in developing and optimizing data pipelines that support the GROOM (ASAH) platform and broader community-based analytics initiatives. Whether cleaning, transforming, or integrating data, he ensures that every dataset is structured for performance, precision, and purpose. His expertise spans ETL processes, database design, and scalable data architecture.

    At Groom Venture, Mark doesn’t just work behind the scenes—he makes data speak. His technical fluency ensures that grassroots insights are processed efficiently, visualized meaningfully, and delivered to clients and communities in ways that drive action and accountability.

    With a focus on automation, data integrity, and interoperability, Mark strengthens the company’s ability to handle complex, multi-source datasets—making him an essential force behind Groom’s data-driven innovation and social impact strategy.

"Building Systems. Securing Infrastructure.
Powering Organization Progress."

ID FARIZAL MATALI
TechOps & Web Solutions Lead


  • Farizal Matali (from Kudat) is the TechOps & Web Solutions Lead at Groom Venture, where he manages the company’s full stack of digital infrastructure. From web design to server deployment and network administration, Farizal ensures Groom’s technology backbone is stable, secure, and scalable.

    With deep expertise in IT systems, Farizal built and maintains Groom Venture’s internal server environment, supports cloud integrations, and leads the development of the company’s digital platforms—including its website and data access tools. He is a hands-on problem-solver who blends reliability with innovation, ensuring that the organization’s tech ecosystem supports its grassroots-driven mission.

    Farizal plays a critical role in enabling the GROOM (Grassroot Mapping System) to run smoothly—from backend configuration to real-time field data access. His work allows team members and communities alike to interact with digital tools that are intuitive, efficient, and secure.

    In a startup where agility meets impact, Farizal brings the stability, technical rigor, and behind-the-scenes dedication needed to power inclusive innovation.

“Mapping Realities. Connecting Data. Empowering Communities."

SUZANA PAULUS
GIS Specialist


  • Suzana Paulus (from Tuaran) is the GIS Specialist at Groom Venture, where she leads spatial intelligence efforts with a community-first approach. A Geography graduate from the University of Malaya, she brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application—further strengthened by her expertise in data analytics and certification in Microsoft Azure.

    At the heart of Groom’s flagship system, GROOM (Grassroot Mapping System), Suzana transforms grassroots insights into actionable geospatial data. Her work includes building spatial databases, mapping infrastructure links, and conducting participatory fieldwork across Sabah. She is proficient in QGIS, ArcGIS, and Mergin Maps, using these tools to turn raw, in-situ data into visual narratives that inform policy and development.

    For Suzana, GIS is more than just a mapping tool—it is a medium for justice, visibility, and voice. Through her maps, she amplifies the lived experiences of underserved communities, revealing patterns that are often ignored in top-down planning. From digital boundary mapping to participatory asset mapping, her work ensures that development starts with people—not just pixels.


    Suzana’s dedication reflects Groom Venture’s ethos: data must be community-sourced, context-aware, and geared toward empowerment. Her maps do more than illustrate space—they spark conversations, inspire action, and reshape how decisions are made for a more inclusive future.

"Learning Fast. Analyzing Smart. Growing with Impact."

MOHD SHAHRUL AMRIE
Junior Data Scientist


  • Mohd Shahrul Amrie (from Sook) is a Junior Data Scientist at Groom Venture, bringing fresh energy, sharp analytical skills, and a strong commitment to data-driven problem solving. Fully certified as a Microsoft Azure Data Analyst and Data Scientist, he is equipped with the full-stack capabilities needed to support Groom’s dynamic data ecosystem.

    Though new to the field, Shahrul is quickly proving himself as a valuable asset—eager to learn, fast to adapt, and deeply aligned with the company’s mission of community-centered transformation. His technical foundation spans data modeling, cloud analytics, and machine learning pipelines, allowing him to contribute meaningfully to ongoing research, dashboard development, and policy-focused analytics.

    At Groom, Shahrul assists in structuring and analyzing datasets from grassroots mapping initiatives, supporting the GROOM (ASAH) system with scalable insights and visualizations. His work helps bridge raw community input into actionable intelligence for decision-makers.

    Shahrul embodies the spirit of emerging talent: grounded in certification, driven by curiosity, and committed to impact. As he grows with Groom Venture, so does the company’s capacity to harness data as a force for equity, empowerment, and evidence-based change.

"Engineering Connections.
Designing Intelligence. Powering ASAH."

ROMEL HOOD
API Architect & Data Systems Engineer


  • Romel Hood is the API Architect and Data Systems Engineer at Groom Venture, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the architecture and performance of the ASAH (Alokasi Suara Akarumbi Hadari) platform. A Mechanical Engineering graduate turned data systems expert, Romel combines engineering logic with data intelligence to deliver robust, scalable, and efficient API solutions.

    Certified as a Microsoft Azure Data Scientist and Data Analyst, Romel brings cloud-native proficiency and full-stack versatility to the team. His enthusiasm for API engineering and system integration makes him the go-to person for ensuring that ASAH’s backend communicates seamlessly with its front-end applications and mapping interfaces.

    From managing authentication flows and data pipelines to optimizing real-time field data capture, Romel ensures ASAH runs smoothly and securely across devices and users. His work forms the digital backbone of Groom Venture’s grassroots data platform, enabling community voices to be collected, processed, and visualized in powerful and intuitive ways.

    Romel stands at the intersection of engineering precision and digital innovation—ensuring that every technical component he builds supports Groom’s larger mission: making data accessible, meaningful, and transformative for all.

"Structuring Insight. Guiding Decisions. Enabling Purposeful Change."

CLARISSA ANN CHONG
Framework Analyst


  • Clarissa Ann Chong (from Penampang) is Groom Venture’s Framework Analyst, specializing in the analysis and strategic integration of carbon-related data across all client projects and internal initiatives. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a strong STEM background, she brings analytical precision and systems thinking to the forefront of Groom’s sustainability-driven work.

    A Microsoft-certified Data Analyst and Data Scientist, Clarissa is the company’s lead specialist in handling carbon emissions data, ensuring that all data systems—particularly within the GROOM (ASAH) platform—are aligned with ESG principles and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her expertise ensures that Groom Venture delivers insights that are not only technically sound but also strategically impactful for climate-conscious decision-making.

    Clarissa designs robust analytical frameworks that transform complex data into actionable intelligence. Her work supports compliance, guides sustainability reporting, and enhances the strategic value of Groom’s engagements—whether in grassroots mapping, environmental consultancy, or carbon disclosure advisory.

    She believes that data should empower purposeful decisions. Through her clear, structured approach to analysis, Clarissa ensures that every insight drives forward-thinking policies and contributes to meaningful, measurable impact.