Gobi Partners Backs Funding Societies to Advance SME Financing and Fintech Innovation across Southeast Asia

Investment reinforces confidence in Funding Societies' decade-long mission amid market volatility and underscores commitment to financial inclusion for underserved businesses

SINGAPORE, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Funding Societies | Modalku (Funding Societies), the largest SME digital finance platform in Southeast Asia, has announced a strategic equity investment from Gobi Partners, an Asia-focused venture capital firm. This investment underscores strong investor confidence in Funding Societies' business model, resilience, and commitment to bridging the region's SME credit gap, even amid broader fintech market challenges.

The investment comes at a time when lenders and investors have become increasingly cautious toward fintech firms following industry challenges. Gobi Partners' backing reinforces Funding Societies' financial stability and continued growth over the past decade in SME financing and its foray into payments since 2022 – distinguishing it as a trusted, well-managed platform for underserved businesses across the region.

Kelvin Teo, Co-founder and Group CEO of Funding Societies, said, "We are honoured to receive this strategic investment from Gobi Partners. At a time when market conditions have led to increased caution toward fintech firms, this partnership is a testament to our strong fundamentals and commitment to financial inclusion. SMEs remain the backbone of Southeast Asia's economy, and we will continue to be dedicated to providing them with accessible and responsible financing solutions to help them grow and thrive."

Driving SME Lending and Fintech Innovation

As Southeast Asia's SME sector continues to face a significant credit gap – estimated at over US$2.5 trillion^[1] – Funding Societies remains at the forefront of delivering innovative financing solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises. This investment from Gobi Partners will help further enhance Funding Societies' technology-driven approach, leveraging AI and automation to streamline lending processes and improve risk management.

Thomas G. Tsao, Co-founder and Chairperson of Gobi Partners, commented, "Funding Societies has consistently demonstrated strong execution and resilience in SME financing, making a meaningful impact on businesses across the region. Our investment underscores our confidence in their ability to navigate economic cycles, drive fintech innovation, and continue closing the SME credit gap. We are excited to partner with them on this journey to strengthen financial inclusion across Southeast Asia."

Strengthening Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth

Despite economic uncertainties, Funding Societies remains committed to its mission of empowering SMEs with tailored digital financial products that address their evolving needs. The company has already disbursed over US$4 billion in business financing to approximately 100,000 SMEs, and processed an annualised payments gross transactions value (GTV) of over US$1.4 billion. As digital financial services remain a key driver of financial inclusion in the region, the partnership with Gobi Partners will enable Funding Societies to expand its reach and continue supporting SMEs that drive local economies.

Funding Societies is well-positioned to maintain its trajectory of growth while upholding responsible lending practices that ensure long-term sustainability with the strong backing from investors and lenders from the successful milestones achieved in 2024. This includes equity investments from Cool Japan Fund and Maybank, and a third annual credit facility from HSBC's ASEAN Growth Fund which is part of an accumulative commitment of over US$100 million credit facility with the bank.

^[1] SME Finance Forum - MSME Finance Gap

About Funding Societies | Modalku

Funding Societies | Modalku is the largest unified SME digital finance platform in Southeast Asia. It is licensed in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, registered in Malaysia, and operates in Vietnam. The FinTech company provides US$1 billion annually of business financing to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Since embarking on its strategic milestone to expand into payments, the company processes an  annualised US$1.4 billion in gross transactions value, following the acquisition of regional digital payments platform CardUp in 2022.

Funding Societies | Modalku is backed by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Cool Japan Fund, Maybank, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, CGC Digital (the digital arm of the Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad), SBVA (previously SoftBank Ventures Asia), Peak XV Partners (previously Sequoia Capital India), Alpha JWC Ventures, SMBC Bank, BRI Ventures, VNG Corporation, Rapyd Ventures, Endeavor, EBDI, SGInnovative, Qualgro, and Golden Gate Ventures among others.

It has received accolades through the years including: Brands for Good (2019, 2023), Global SME Excellence Award, Global SME Finance Awards by IFC (2021-2023) Global Startup Awards (2020), MAS FinTech Award (2016, 2021), Singapore's Fastest-Growing Companies 2024 (a list of 100 companies compiled by The Straits Times and Statista), High-Growth Companies in Asia-Pacific 2024 (a list of 500 companies compiled by the Financial Times and Statista) .

For more information, please visit: www.fundingsocieties.com

About Gobi Partners

Gobi Partners is an Asia-focused venture capital firm with US$2 billion in assets under management (AUM). Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, the firm supports entrepreneurs from the early to growth stages and focuses on emerging and underserved markets.

Founded in 2002, Gobi has raised 25 funds and invested in over 400 startups with 62 operating in the Circular Economy. Gobi has grown to 15 locations across key markets in Bangkok, Beijing, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Manila, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore and Tianjin.

For more information about Gobi Partners, please visit https://gobi.vc

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