Heaptalk, Jakarta — Funding Societies has secured a strategic equity investment from Gobi Partners. This strategic investment will further enhance Funding Societies’ capabilities in AI and automation, streamlining lending processes and improving risk management to serve the region’s small businesses better
“We are honored 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 provide them with responsible and accessible financing solutions to foster their growth.” Kelvin Teo, Co-founder and Group CEO of Funding Societies, said.
The SME sector in Southeast Asia continues to face a significant credit gap, estimated at over US$2.5 trillion. As a leader in digital SME financing, Funding Societies remain at the forefront of developing technology-driven solutions to address this gap. The investment comes when the global fintech sector faces heightened scrutiny, with lenders and investors exercising increased caution. Despite these challenges, Gobi Partners’ backing highlights Funding Societies’ financial stability and its decade-long track record of supporting SMEs, particularly following its expansion into payments in 2022.
Thomas G. Tsao, Co-founder and Chairperson of Gobi Partners, emphasized, “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 support their journey in strengthening financial inclusion across Southeast Asia.”
Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, Funding Societies remains steadfast in its mission to empower SMEs through tailored digital financial solutions. To date, the company has disbursed over US$4 billion in business financing to approximately 100,000 SMEs and has processed an annualized payments gross transaction value (GTV) exceeding US$1.4 billion.
With digital financial services playing a pivotal role in enhancing financial inclusion, the strategic partnership with Gobi Partners will enable Funding Societies to expand its reach and continue driving sustainable economic growth. The company’s successful milestones in 2024—including equity investments from Cool Japan Fund and Maybank and a third annual credit facility from HSBC’s ASEAN Growth Fund—demonstrate its ability to secure strong backing from investors and financial institutions.
