PE, VC & Alternatives Archives - Page 9 of 25

ONERHT Foundation appoints AlDigi Holdings CEO to its Board of Directors

ONERHT Foundation Ltd, the corporate social responsibility vehicle of RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, “ONERHT”), has appointed Mr. Jayaprakash Jagateesan, Group Chief Executive Officer of the AlDigi Group, as its new Board Director, effective 1 May 2023.

Prakash also holds various positions both within and outside ONERHT and is an active member of the community who contributes to meaningful causes aligned with the Foundation’s core pillars of education, environment and sustainability, disadvantaged groups, as well as arts and sports.

He is the Deputy Chairman and Co-Founder of SDAX Exchange, Director of carbon trading platform AirCabon Exchange, Director of Global Indian International School, Vice Chairman of the Singapore Indian Education Trust (SIET), Member of the Singapore Hockey Federation Disciplinary Sub-Committee and an avid golfer who regularly participates in charity tournaments.

Mr Jayaprakash Jagateesan, Director of ONERHT Foundation Ltd, said, “The Foundation’s flagship events have been a prominent fixture on ONERHT’s calendar for many years and I have witnessed the Foundation’s evolution and growth first-hand. I look forward to playing a more active role in supporting the Foundation’s efforts to inspire a philanthropic culture of doing good.”

Ms Kaylee Kwok, Chairman of ONERHT Foundation, said, “In line with the Board’s ongoing succession plans, we recognise the importance of progressively refreshing the Board to address the evolving needs of the Foundation. Prakash’s appointment ensures that the Foundation’s Board will continue to have an appropriate mix and diversity of skills, professional experience, and personal qualities to collectively advance the Foundation’s initiatives and programmes to give back to the community.”

“We welcome Prakash to the Board and look forward to his contributions as we work closely together on our mission to provide a framework, platform and channel for corporate social responsibility and pro-bono initiatives,” added Ms Kwok.

Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has with the support of its donors and sponsors been able to raise more than S$4 million for more than 24 charitable organisations.

ONERHT Foundation Ltd
A Singapore registered charity and grant-making philanthropic organisation, ONERHT Foundation Ltd enables RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, “ONERHT”) to do right and do good through various charitable endeavours.

Set up by ONERHT in 2015, the Foundation was registered as a Singapore charity by the Commissioner of Charities and a grant-making philanthropic organisation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on 16 September 2016 and 28 November 2016 respectively.

The Foundation seeks to establish, inspire and encourage the right philanthropic culture among the corporate and legal fraternity of giving back to the community in a focused, hands-on and meaningful manner. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than S$4 million to support more than 24 beneficiaries involved in education, the environment and sustainability, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports. For more information, please visit www.onerht.foundation

For media enquiries, please contact:
Elliot Siow / elliot.siow@rhtgoc.com / +65 8375 0417

PreIPO Chosen to raise $250M for SPiCE Fund II, shortly after SPiCE Fund I named leading VC fund of 2022 in Blockchain Ecosystem

PreIPO, a leading provider of innovative financial technology solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with SPiCE VC. This partnership will enable PreIPO to further expand its offerings and bring cutting-edge financial technology to a broader market. SPiCE Fund I has yielded a market leading 50.7% IRR and we are pleased to announce the offering of SPiCE Fund II. SPiCE VC has been deemed the best Venture Capital Fund of 2022 in the blockchain and tokenization ecosystem.

Through this partnership, SPiCE Fund II will be featured on the PreIPO Platform, with a robust data room including key due diligence documents and marketing materials. Marking the first of many funds to be fully available for investment within the PreIPO ecosystem. This also includes access to PreIPO’s network of industry experts, investors, and potential partners, as well as its experience in helping companies scale and succeed.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with PreIPO,” said Rene Eichenberger, Partner of SPiCE VC. “Their expertise and support will be invaluable as we continue to develop and bring our innovative funds to the market.”

PreIPO is a leader in the Pre-IPO market of the fintech industry, offering a range of products and services designed to improve capital formation processes and make them more efficient and accessible. This includes solutions for subscription documents, SPVs, data room consolidation, and much more. Check out our website and platform here (www.preipo.com).

“PreIPO has a strong team delivering innovative financial technology solutions,” said Rob Roy Roedel, Partner at SPiCE VC. “We are excited to be partnering with them and supporting their growth as they continue to drive the fintech industry forward.”

This partnership represents a significant step forward for PreIPO and will help the company continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of financial technology. We look forward to the exciting developments and growth that this partnership will bring.

If you would like to find out more information about investing in SPiCE Fund II via PreIPO’s proprietary platform visit the data room now (https://docsend.com/view/s/uxw5gii6k4pgrqs5) or please feel free to reach out to invest@preipo.com.

Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA)’s Travel Platform, NusaTrip, Acquires Vietnam’s VLeisure, Marks its First Acquisition Outside of Indonesia

NusaTrip (“NusaTrip”), a leading Jakarta-based, IATA-licensed Online Travel Agency (“OTA”) and the travel vertical of Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces the acquisition of VLeisure, a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based online B2B hotel platform servicing small-to-medium size hotels in Vietnam and empowering online and offline travel agencies to manage and distribute travel products and services. The VLeisure acquisition extends NusaTrip’s base of operations and geographical reach outside of Indonesia for the first time. Going forward, NusaTrip will continue to acquire online and offline travel agencies in SEA as it builds a regional travel platform servicing the booming SEA travel market.

The VLeisure acquisition comes at an opportune time for NusaTrip with the dramatic rebound in the SEA travel market from the depths of the Covid pandemic. The marked increase in demand is driven by strong government initiatives to boost tourism, the rise of SEA’s burgeoning middle class and strong internet penetration, which enables more Southeast Asians to more easily book flights and hotels through OTAs. According to Web In Travel, gross bookings in 2025 will reach 94% of the record 2019 levels. And according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the tourism sector expects to welcome 110 million tourist arrivals in 2023, valued at US$27 billion, representing 5.7% of Vietnam’s projected 2023 GDP of US$469 billion.

Leveraging on SoPa’s capital and NusaTrip’s technology, VLeisure will market its hotel management SaaS products to small-to-medium size hotels initially in Vietnam and then to the rest of SEA. In addition, NusaTrip now acquires an operational foothold to significantly expand its B2C and B2B businesses in Vietnam. Phan Le, VLeisure Founder and Managing Director, comments, “I am honoured to join the SoPa ecosystem and Nusatrip. With SoPa’s rapid growth in 2021 and 2022 and NusaTrip’s position as a leading IATA-licensed travel platform in Indonesia, VLeisure now is able to access our parent companies’ infrastructure of capital, technology, marketing, and customer support, allowing VLeisure to better serve our Vietnam-based customers and accelerate growth in our hotel business. VLeisure’s trip planning, booking capabilities, hotel technology expertise complements Nusatrip’s existing travel services to deliver a more personalised user experience. Furthermore, as a Vietnamese, I am proud to join the first Vietnam-based company to be listed on Nasdaq. SoPa’s Nasdaq IPO in November 2021 is truly an historical event for Vietnam’s economy and an inspiration for all Vietnamese entrepreneurs.”

Founded in 2011 as a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based online marketplace for hotels, airlines, and travel agencies, VLeisure empowers Vietnamese, regional and international OTAs by distributing their travel products. Travel agents access to VLeisure’s extensive inventory of over 650,000 registered hotels. It is also a hotel technology platform servicing small-to-medium size hotels with customer booking and revenue collection software solutions.

Dennis Nguyen, Society Pass Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and NusaTrip Chairman, expounds, “We happily welcome VLeisure into our ever-expanding NusaTrip ecosystem. VLeisure seamlessly blends into our user and merchant growth strategy. We combine NusaTrip’s robust flight B2B technology and B2C operational breadth with VLeisure extensive hotel management software solutions. With Phan’s significant experience and knowledge of the Vietnamese travel sector, I appoint him as the Managing Director of Nusatrip Vietnam. As Head of our Hotel Business, his expertise in hotel technology allows him to create unique travel goods and services that meet the demands of Vietnamese travellers.”

Mr. Nguyen further explains, “As a Vietnamese, I am especially proud to continue to finance and support Vietnam’s start-up sector with this VLeisure acquisition. I believe that our Vietnamese entrepreneurs will continue to be an example for the rest of SEA. We look no further than the example of Phan Le.”

About VLeisure

Founded in 2011 as a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based online marketplace for hotels, airlines, and travel agencies, VLeisure is a hotel technology platform servicing small-to-medium size hotels with customer booking and revenue collection software solutions. In addition, travel agents access to the company’s extensive inventory of over 650,000 registered hotels. VLeisure is now an integral member of NusaTrip. For more information, please visit: https://www.vleisure.com.

About NusaTrip

Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is a Jakarta, Indonesia-based, IATA-licensed online travel agency that serves both local and global customers and partners by optimizing cutting-edge technology and providing 24/7 customer-centric support team-as-a-service. With its first mover advantage, NusaTrip has onboarded +1.2 million registered users, +500 airlines and +200,000 hotels around the world as well as connected with over 80 million unique visitors. NusaTrip is now an integral member of Society Pass (Nasdaq: SoPa) ecosystem. For more information, please visit: https://www.nusatrip.com.

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 650,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; VLeisure, a Vietnam-based hotel technology platform; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
Rosa Milyarna – NusaTrip
rosa@nusatrip.com

RHTLaw Asia strengthens Real Estate Practice with appointment of new partner

Singapore-headquartered regional law firm RHTLaw Asia has appointed Mr Yeong Wai Cheong as partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice.

Wai Cheong brings extensive experience in real estate, banking and finance, representing Singapore-listed companies and banks, purchasers and vendors, developers, landlords and tenants across a range of domestic and cross-border financing and real estate matters.

He has been consistently ranked as a “Recommended Lawyer” for Real Estate in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific for seven consecutive years. Dual-qualified in Singapore and Hong Kong, Wai Cheong has represented parties for the sale and purchase and financing of industrial, commercial and residential properties in Singapore and Hong Kong.

In addition to his prior stint at RHTLaw Asia, Wai Cheong was also previously the General Counsel for Asia for an European bank and the Head of Legal for Singapore for two European banks.

RHTLaw Asia Managing Partner, Mr Azman Jaafar, said, “Real Estate will continue to be an important sector for us given Singapore’s position as a global financial centre. We will continue to strengthen our practice with the addition of new talent to support our clients. Mr Yeong is a welcome addition to our team as we roll out our new ONERHT Client UX strategy together with our core multidisciplinary capabilities.”

About RHTLaw Asia LLP

RHTLaw Asia LLP is a leading regional law firm headquartered in Singapore with a network of offices in 15 jurisdictions in Asia, Oceania, Middle East and Africa under the ASEAN Plus Group (APG) comprising over 2,000 lawyers. We help clients understand the local challenges, navigate the regional complexity to deliver the competitive advantage for their businesses in Asia. We are also the Singapore member of the Interlex Group, a global network of leading law firms.

RHTLaw Asia collaborates with ONERHT, an integrated network of multidisciplinary professional services, through entities which are not affiliates, branches, or subsidiaries of RHTLaw Asia LLP. For more details, please visit www.rhtlawasia.com

For Mr Yeong Wai Cheong’s profile, please visit:
https://www.rhtlawasia.com/people/yeong-wai-cheong/

About ONERHT

ONERHT is an integrated multidisciplinary platform of professional and specialist services. Since 2011, RHTLaw Asia’s founding team has developed a second engine of growth through ONERHT, an independent ecosystem of professional and specialist services, and networks, complementing RHTLaw’s full service legal offerings. For more details, please visit www.onerht.com

For media queries, please contact:
Elliot Siow / elliot.siow@rhtgoc.com / +65 8375 0417

Maxim: Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA) Compelling Valuation; 4Q22 EBITDA Beats Forecast; Positive on Organic Growth & M&A

Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”) issues research report on Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa”), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem.

Click Here ( https://tinyurl.com/3cakppp on Maxim research website) or Here ( https://tinyurl.com/5fh5vnyr on Society Pass website) to view the full Maxim research report.

Summary Points:

– 4Q22 results highlight early stages of growth – SoPa’s 4Q22 revenue of $2.6M increased significantly from $0.4M in the prior year quarter. Thoughtful Media (TMG) accounted for over 50% of quarterly revenue at $1.4M, followed by Leflair at $0.7M and NusaTrip online ticketing and reservation at $0.5M. SoPa has restructured several of its businesses to improve revenue and profitability and is focusing on the relatively higher margin segments.

– Metrics – SoPa ended ’22 with over 3.3M registered customers and 205K merchants and brands. During 2022, there were over 48K lifestyle purchases, 88K F&B deliveries and 178K travel bookings.

– Diversification – 2022 represented a period of significant diversification with SoPa now operating 6 verticals in 5 countries (Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand). Maxim believes TMG can market SoPa’s other brands and the businesses can be expanded geographically. Maxim has a positive view on the SEA market due to increasing mobile and ecommerce penetration, younger populations, travel coming back, and the opportunity to consolidate smaller companies.

– Outlook – Maxim narrows its EBITDA loss estimate for 2023, primarily due to factoring in better expense control. Maxim expects loyalty points to launch in June ’23, and full year contributions from all announced acquisitions. Maxim has not modeled any contributions from any acquisitions that have not yet been announced or closed, however, it is likely that management will continue to opportunistically acquire companies in their verticals of focus.

– Healthy balance sheet – SoPa ended 2022 with unrestricted cash of $18.9M (representing >1/2 of SoPa’s market cap), down from $23M at the of end of September ’22, and no material amount of debt. In February ’23, SoPa authorised a $2M stock repurchase program. With expense reduction plans and newer businesses, along with the launch of the Loyalty program, Maxim expects the cash burn to decline and that current levels of cash are sufficient to fund organic growth over the next two years.

– Society Pass is in the early stages of building an SEA e-commerce company with six verticals:

1) Lifestyle. Leflair provides luxury goods online in Vietnam. Leflair generated ~$2M in revenue in ’22, up from $500K in ’21. Sales from online ordering was $0.7M in 4Q22, up 73% y/y. Maxim anticipates management will focus on expanding geographically and in other retail categories in 2023. Leflair changed its platform in February 2023 to improve customer experience and drive sales.

2) Digital Advertising. Thoughtful Media Group is a Thailand based social media company acquired in July ’22. Business has been expanded to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. Digital advertising should have relatively higher margins among SOPA’s other segments, in part due to lower labour costs. In October ’22, TMG signed a partnership with Onlive.site, a live-streaming and digital content channel platform based in Spain. Onlive’s technology allows livestreaming, live video shopping, interactive video and online TV channel platform tools. The company announced the acquisition of More Media, an Indonesia based digital design and branding agency. Revenue in this segment was $1.4M for 4Q22 and $2.6M for the full year. Maxim notes that this only includes one half of results as the deal closed in 3Q22.

3) Online Travel. NusaTrip is an Indonesia based online travel platform acquired in August ’22. Maxim views Online Travel as one of the areas of key focus for growth both organically and through M&A. In February ’23, a partnership was announced with LuxUrban (LUXH – Buy) to drive SE Asian traffic to LuxUrban’s US based hotels. NusaTrip signed an MoU with PT Kerata Cepat Indonesia-China to be the preferred online ticket sales partner for Kereta Cepat Jakarta-Bandung, the first fast train service between Jakarta and Bandung. Revenue was $0.5M for the quarter and $0.7M for the year.

4) Telecom. Acquired June ’22, Gorilla is a Singapore based blockchain telecom offering local and travel e-SIM services. Although a small revenue contributor, it provides blockchain and Web 3.0 technology that can be expanded to other areas, such as social media interactions on websites.

5) Online Food and beverage delivery. Handycart (Vietnam), Pushkart (Philippines), and Mangan (Philippines). F&B is small contributor today but is strategic in terms of users that can be monetized in other verticals. For ’23, Maxim anticipates management will focus on combining their offerings.

6) Loyalty. Loyalty plan was soft launched in June ’22 with a hard launch across all verticals targeted for June ’23. Stripe, a digital wallet, is a partner for payments. While adoption is not certain, Maxim expect Loyalty to be the higher margin of SOPA’s verticals.

– Compelling valuation – reiterate Buy. SOPA trades at an EV/revenue multiple of 0.4x our 2024 revenue estimate with over half of its market cap in cash vs. the peer average of 2.8x. Maxim’s price target is $2.75 supported by our 10-year DCF analysis, which utilizes a 22% discount rate (unchanged), 13x terminal multiple (prior 15x), and 3% terminal growth rate (unchanged). This equates to an EV/revenue multiple of 2.0x. A discount to the peer average is warranted, in our view due to SOPA’s smaller size and acquisition integration risk. Our positive outlook is supported by the attractive SE Asian markets and opportunities to consolidate smaller companies.

About Society Pass Inc.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Media Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

Society Pass’ (Nasdaq: SOPA) Thoughtful Media Group Launches The Creator Economy in the Indonesian Market

Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia (SEA)’s next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, announces the official launch of its digital advertising platform, Thoughtful Media Group Inc (TMG), in the Indonesian market. TMG will introduce its new Indonesia management team and business model at a media presentation in Jakarta on 05 April 2023.

Established in 2021 as an international caliber design and branding agency serving innovative Indonesian companies in the beauty, F&B, e-commerce, and logistics sectors and acquired by TMG in December 2022, More Media has been integrated into Thoughtful Media Group Indonesia (TMGI) connecting content creators and brands in the world’s fourth most populous country. By rapidly deploying value-added services, possessing an intimate understanding of local market trends, focusing on the art of storytelling, TMGI has quickly onboarded a diverse list of local clients such as Langsre, Emilia, Kei Dining, and Allino.

Pamela Aw-Yeung, TMG Vice-Chairwoman, states, “We are very pleased to welcome More Media into the TMG ecosystem. By combining TMGI’s market-leading design and branding capabilities in Indonesia with TMG’s influencer advertising-focused social commerce business model, we leverage our storytelling capabilities for local, regional and international advertisers seeking to market in Indonesia. TMG now operates in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.”

Responsible for driving sales and onboarding Indonesian clients onto TMG’s regional digital advertising platform, Ms. Eugenia Agnes Gusti, the Co-Founder of More Media and VP of Business Development of TMGI, comments, “Our local team’s unique advantage is that we are led by amazing heroines with significant experience in the fields of branding and media in this country”. Ms. Erlinda Gutami, TMGI Indonesia Country Manager, expounds, “With the explosion of influencer advertising and social commerce across SEA, especially in Indonesia, TMGI emphasises the importance of theme of “Connection” for brands and influencers to build loyal audiences/users over time”.

TMGI is uniquely positioned to become Indonesia’s premier regional digital advertising agency offering a significant value proposition to advertisers, merchants, and influencers in SEA’s largest economy. Well positioned to benefit from Indonesia’s forecast soaring digital advertising revenues over the next decade as increasingly more consumers make direct purchases on social media platforms, TMGI collaborates with social media platforms, advertisers and influencers to develop the entire creator economy in Indonesia.

About Thoughtful Media Group (TMG)

Founded in 2010, Thoughtful Media Group is a leading digital advertising platform in SEA. Through our network of talented creators across multiple industries in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, we help brands maximise marketing budgets and achieve business objectives through some of the most innovative marketing campaigns in the region.

In 2022, Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA), the next generation acquisition-focused fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in SEA, acquired Thoughtful Media Group. Since then, TMG has fully evolved into a digital-first and fully integrated advertising powerhouse.

For more information, please visit:
Website at www.thoughtfulmedia.com
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thoughtful-media-group-inc or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thoughtfulmedia/ or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thoughtfulmediaasia or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/ThoughtfulMedia.

About Society Pass

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

Media Contact:
Ms. Eugenia Agnes Gusti
agnes@thoughtfulmedia.com

Rxilient Biotech and Junshi Biosciences form Joint Venture to develop and commercialize Toripalimab in Southeast Asia

On 28th March 2023, Rxilient Biotech (a portfolio company of Legend Capital) and Junshi Biosciences made a joint announcement that two parties will form a joint venture to develop and commercialize toripalimab in Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam[1].

From left to right: CEO of Junshi Biosciences, Dr. Li Ning; Managing Director of Legend Capital, Executive Director of Rxilient, Mr. Hong Tan; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of CMS, Mr. Lam Kong; Chairman of Junshi Biosciences, Mr. Xiong Jun; CEO of Rxilient, Dr. Lee Ker Yin

Toripalimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody independently developed by Junshi Biosciences. Junshi Biosciences has conducted over 30 clinical trials globally (in China, the USA, Southeast Asia, and Europe) covering more than 15 indications, including cancers of the lung, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, breast, liver, kidney, and skin. Six of these indications have been approved in China, and multiple marketing applications are currently under review by regulatory agencies in the US, EU, and UK.

“Cancer patients need toripalimab. We are confident that the highly professional and experienced Rxilient team will drive quick access to this valuable drug, toripalimab to patients in Southeast Asia,” said Mr. HONG Tan, MD of Legend Capital.

“This collaboration is a good case example of Chinese pharmaceutical companies venturing overseas to help improve access to important novel drugs in emerging markets. Southeast Asia has a thriving innovative pharmaceuticals market, harmonized drug registration system, and diversified healthcare systems. Hence, it has great potential for innovative drugs. Legend Capital will continue to pay attention to investment opportunities in the healthcare industry of Southeast Asia, actively promote and assist Chinese pharmaceutical companies to enter the international markets, thus facilitating innovative drugs from China to benefit patients around the world,” said Mr. HONG Tan.

Through this collaboration, Rxilient will introduce Toripalimab, a novel anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, into Southeast Asia. This joint venture leverages the strengths of Rxilient and Junshi Biosciences in drug registration and commercialization, and the R&D capabilities respectively. Rxilient plans to continue collaboration with Junshi Biosciences to introduce more high-quality innovative drugs into Southeast Asia.

JUNSHI BIOSCIENCES
Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R&D pipeline comprising over 50 drug candidates, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA monoclonal antibody for the treatment of various cancers was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and has since entered Phase Ib/II trials in both China and the US. Its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA.

RXILIENT
Rxilient Biotech, established in November 2021, is a subsidiary controlled by China Medical System Holdings Limited (“CMS”, (00867.HK)). Rxilient Biotech and other companies related to CMS that are involved in Southeast Asian businesses (together with Rxilient Biotech, “Rxilient”, promoted and cofounded by CMS and Legend Capital) have formed an open platform integrating innovative R&D, formulation contract development, and manufacturing organization (CDMO), manufacturing, marketing, and promotion. Leveraging CMS’s capability in acquiring high-quality products and strong financial position, Rxilient aims to bring innovative solutions from leading pharmaceutical companies in the USA, Europe, Japan, and China, to meet medical needs in Southeast Asia. Rxilient is operated independently by professional and experienced local teams in Southeast Asia.

[1] Junshi Biosciences’s related license to the joint venture is subject to the fulfillment of the conditions precedent as agreed under the Shareholders Agreement.

First-of-its-kind study explores the minds of CEOs in managing cyber risk and provides a playbook on how they can improve

ISTARI, a Temasek-founded global cybersecurity firm dedicated to helping clients build cyber resilience, and Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford today revealed the findings of their joint CEO Report on Cyber Resilience. The report applies a top-management lens to cybersecurity risks and underscores the critical role CEOs play in building cyber resilience.

It shares insights from thirty-seven, one-hour-long face-to-face interviews with American, Asian and European CEOs whose businesses’ average annual revenue is $12 billion, employing an average of 40,000 employees. One-third of the interviewees are from Asia. Nine of the CEOs interviewed had guided their company through a serious cyberattack.

When cyberattacks happen, CEOs are inevitably at the centre of the incident and act as the face of the company. And in a cyber climate where cyberattacks have become a question of “when” and not “if”—with the Asia Pacific region facing the highest number of cyber-attacks in 2022—CEOs are naturally expected to take accountability when such unfortunate incidents occur.

What CEOs really think about cyber risk: secret fears, uncertainty and discomfort

Under the condition of anonymity, the CEOs spoke with remarkable honesty about their feelings, frustrations and regrets about cyber threats and security.

The CEOs acknowledged that they are formally answerable to regulators, shareholders and their boards for cybersecurity. Yet the majority (72%) said they were uncomfortable making decisions about it, often leading them to delegate responsibility for, and understanding of, cybersecurity to their technology teams, which can jeopardise resilience.

Co-author of the report, Dr Manuel Hepfer, Head of Knowledge and Insights at ISTARI and a Research Affiliate at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, says: “Many CEOs we spoke with highlighted the agonies of having to make existential decisions on imperfect information under extreme pressure in an area they lack familiarity and intuition.”

Four mindsets CEOs need to lead cyber resilient businesses

The study outlines four mindsets CEOs should adopt to build cyber resilience:

All CEOs interviewed said they feel accountable for cybersecurity. However, a parallel ISTARI survey of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) found one in two European (50%) and almost a third of US (30%) CISOs did not believe that their CEOs feel accountable. This gap in perception, according to the research, lies partly in the meaning of accountability: instead of seeing themselves as accountable – being the face of the mistake – CEOs should assume co-responsibility for cyber resilience together with their CISO.
CEOs should stay away from blindly trusting their technology teams. Instead, they should move to a state of informed trust about their enterprise’s cyber resilience maturity.
CEOs should embrace what the authors call the ‘preparedness paradox’: an inverse relationship between the perception of preparedness and resilience – the better-prepared CEOs think their organisation is for a serious cyberattack, the less resilient their organisation likely is, in reality.
CEOs should adapt their communication styles to regulate pressure from external stakeholders who have different and sometimes conflicting demands. Depending on the stakeholder and the situation, CEOs should either be a transmitter, filter, absorber or amplifier of pressure.

“Put down your phones”

Leaders who have endured a cyberattack feel strongly about helping others avoid some of the mistakes they have made. As one CEO said: “Whenever I speak to a group of CEOs to share my learnings from the cyberattack, I start by saying, ‘put down your phones for 15 minutes, you’ll want to listen carefully to what I have to tell you’.“

Rashmy Chatterjee, a co-author of the report and CEO of ISTARI, said: “It is self-evident that the impacts of a cyberattack go beyond IT. But, as our research shows, CEOs struggle to know how to lead their organisations’ responses. From these candid conversations, we can better answer what their role should be and fill the gap in what CEOs need to do to build and command cyber resilient organisations.”

The second part of the report synthesises such advice in a playbook for CEOs wanting to build cyber resilience in their enterprises, laying out specific steps CEOs can personally take to anticipate, withstand, respond and adapt to serious cyberattacks.

Michael Smets, co-author and Professor of Management at Saïd Business School said: “The fact that all CEOs in our study felt accountable for cybersecurity, but less than a third of them felt comfortable making decisions in that area reveals an alarming gap. To build cyber resilience, CEOs must close that gap. This report offers a first playbook to help CEOs do so.”

To discover more about how CEOs can build a cyber resilient organisation, read the full report.

About ISTARI

Established in 2020 by Temasek, an investment company headquartered in Singapore, ISTARI has a unique model. It is an advisory practice, investor and educator through its Academy. ISTARI harnesses the collective power of the world’s leading cybersecurity companies, experts and knowledge to work alongside clients on their journey to becoming digitally resilient. The ISTARI Collective includes Sygnia, BlueVoyant, Axio, Ensign InfoSecurity (EIS), Claroty, Armis, Prevalent AI and Sonrai Security. Headquartered in London, ISTARI has a global presence in the US, Europe and Singapore. To learn more, visit www.istari-global.com

About Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford blends the best of new and old. We are a young, vibrant, and entrepreneurial business school deeply embedded in the world’s most prestigious university. We deliver cutting-edge education and ground-breaking research that transform individuals, organisations, business practice, and society. We educate people for successful business careers and, as a community, we seek to harness our collective expertise and knowledge to help solve pressing global issues such as demographic change, natural resource scarcity and technological challenges. www.sbs.oxford.edu

Media Contacts:

PINPOINT PR Singapore

Jill Ilao
Email: jill@pinpointpr.sg | Phone: +63 915 437 3619

Windy Oktaviani
Email: windy@pinpointpr.sg | Phone: +62 811 910 9266

Society Pass’ (Nasdaq: SOPA) Thoughtful Media Group Launches in Vietnam Market, Revolutionizing the Creator Economy with Integrated Marketing Services

Founded in 2010, TMG pioneered the use of multi-channel network for content creators in the Asian market. After being acquired by SOPA in July 2022, TMG has transformed into a multi-platform integrated advertising platform connecting content creators and brands.

With headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, TMG has expanded its ecosystem of integrated advertising services to include Vietnam and Indonesia. Through a network of talented creators across multiple industries, TMG assists brands and merchants to build their businesses from awareness to effective conversion.

Mr. Rokas Sidlauskas, Chief Marketing Officer of SOPA Group, announced the launch of TMG in Vietnam, stating, “After almost one year of being acquired and joining the SOPA ecosystem, TMG has become a vital part of our integrated advertising and digital strategy. As a digital marketing powerhouse, TMG not only provides innovative marketing and branding services, but also helps other ventures in the SOPA ecosystem grow and acquire customers faster. Through strategic partnerships with SOPA’s sister companies in other verticals, TMG generates additional benefits for users, such as our leading lifestyle platform Leflair. By partnering with TMG, Leflair leverages the TMG network of talented creators to review and sell their products across multiple online platforms like Youtube and Tiktok. SOPA is fully committed to the growth of TMG in SEA, and we are excited to see the innovative marketing campaigns that the new TMG after restructuring will bring to the region.”

“Cultivating Vietnam’s vast potential in the digital transformation is at the forefront of TMG’s mission,” said Thao Ngo, Representative of TMG Vietnam. “With our wealth of experience and deep understanding of the local Vietnamese market, TMG Vietnam provides brands and advertisers with top-notch services to maximise the effectiveness of their marketing budgets. By offering strategic advice and premium advertising services, TMG connects brands with consumers more efficiently, enabling them to expand their marketing businesses and tap into the full potential of the region.”

Since joining the SOPA ecosystem, TMG has gained access to greater financial resources and technological capabilities of its parent company. And this access has enabled TMG to expand rapidly into new markets, upgrade its service offerings. Following its corporate restructuring, TMG has become a fully integrated marketing powerhouse with four core businesses: Online Platforms, Premium Brands, Social-selling, and Sports Marketing.

With its unique values of technological innovation, diverse content, and approaches through a network of talented creators, TMG Vietnam attracts bright talents, create and introduce them to the market through strategic content directions and massive online reach. TMG’s premium marketing services help brands interact with consumers more effectively, thereby boosting business performances and bringing the awareness of those companies beyond Vietnam and out to the region.

About Thoughtful Media Group (TMG)

About Society Pass

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

Media Contact:
Public Relations Representative
Ms. Ha Nguyen – 0903 988579
hanguyen@sunrisesvn.com

Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA) Reports Compelling 4Q 2022 and FY 2022 Financial Results

Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa”), Southeast Asia (SEA)’s next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces unaudited financial results for fourth quarter ended 31 December 2021 and audited financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2022 and a filing of its 2022 Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Click Here (on SEC website) to view 2022 Form 10-K filing. https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1817511/000160706223000144/sopa123122form10k.htm

Summary Points:

– 4Q 2022 revenues grew 530% year on year (from $419,062 in 4Q 2021 to $2,641,137 in 4Q 2022).
– Full year 2022 revenues grew 984% year on year (from $519,885 in full year 2021 to $5,635,553 in full year 2022).
– 4Q 2022 gross profit grew to $673,969 from -$27,328 in 4Q 2021.
– Full year 2022 gross profit grew to $966,973 from -$190,798 in full year 2021.
– 4Q 2022 gross margin percentage improved to 25.5% from -6.5% in 4Q 2021.
– Full year 2022 gross margin percentage improved to 17.2% from -36.7% in full year 2021.
– Compared to 4Q 2022 revenue growth of 530%, 4Q 2022 cash operating expenses grew only 128% year on year (from $2,072,332 in 4Q 2021 to $4,739,929 in 4Q 2022).
– Compared to full 2022 revenue growth of 984%, full year 2022 cash operating expenses grew only 323% year on year (from $4,721,048 in full year 2021 to $20,015,750 in full year 2022).
– With cash on hand of $18.9 million and book value of $20.3 million on 31 December 2022, SoPa is well capitalised for the expected roll out of Society Pass loyalty platform in 2Q 2023 and continuing acquisitions of SEA companies in loyalty, lifestyle, food & beverage delivery, telecommunications, digital media, and travel verticals for the rest of 2023.
– Since inception, SoPa has onboarded approximately 3.3 million registered consumers and approximately 205,000 registered merchants/brands onto its ever-expanding next generation digital ecosystem and loyalty platform in SEA.
– SoPa completed a total of seven acquisitions in 2022, including Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines, and More Media, a Indonesia-based design and branding agency.
– SoPa now operates six verticals in SEA, namely, loyalty, lifestyle, food and beverage delivery, telecommunications, digital advertising, and travel.
– SoPa currently operates five SEA countries, namely, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
– SoPa currently employes approximately 250 people throughout SEA countries.

Raynauld Liang, Society Pass Inc Chief Financial Officer, explains, “Our compelling fourth quarter 2022 and full year 2022 financial results validate our acquisitions-focused business plan here in SEA. For 4Q 2022 and full year 2022, we achieved year on year revenue growth of 530% and 984%, respectively. By comparison, for 4Q 2022 and full year 2022, we recognised year on year cash operating expense growth of only 128% and 323%, respectively. In other words, despite growing at breakneck pace in the five largest economies of SEA, our revenues are growing much faster than our expenses. We focused on dramatically improving our gross margins, whilst generating outsized revenue growth in our lifestyle, digital advertising and travel businesses.

For 2023, the company’s management continues to focus on substantially improving our operating margins by driving cost efficiencies across our SoPa ecosystem and increasing revenues in our six verticals via organic growth and acquisitions. As a result, our management team forecasts achieving profitability in 2H 2023, which is a year earlier than our prior forecasts of 2H 2024.”

About Society Pass Inc.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, this document also contains certain non-GAAP financial measures based on management’s view of performance including cash operating expenses. Management uses such measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the Company. We believe these adjusted financial measures provide useful and meaningful information to us and investors because they enhance investors’ understanding of the continuing operating performance of our business and facilitate the comparison of performance between past and future periods. These adjusted financial measures are non-GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When preparing these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures we typically exclude certain GAAP items that management does not consider to be normal, recurring non-cash operating expenses.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Media Contacts:
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sopa@preciouscomms.com