Digital Classifieds Group

Digital Classifieds Group (DCG) is an Australian-headquartered operator of online property marketplaces with a strategic focus on Southeast Asia. The company was co-founded in 2013 by Mathew Care, a former lawyer turned entrepreneur; James Rodda, an investment analyst; and Brian Byer, a technology consultant. Their initial strategy was to invest in and expand property websites in the early-stage markets of the Asia-Pacific region, prioritizing market leadership in smaller, less developed areas over being a secondary player in larger ones. This approach began with the launch of the real estate portal Hausples in Papua New Guinea.

Over the past decade, DCG has evolved significantly from a traditional online classifieds model. The firm has transitioned to a comprehensive, transaction-based platform that provides end-to-end support for real estate transactions. Initially, the business model focused on advertising listings, but the company shifted to accelerate revenue by taking commissions on deals. This evolution included providing CRM and website solutions for real estate agents to digitize the market before launching portals. The group serves a wide range of clients, from individual buyers and renters to real estate agents and large property developers, generating revenue through commissions and other transactional services.

A series of strategic acquisitions has marked the company's growth trajectory. In January 2023, DCG acquired BProperty, the leading real estate portal in Bangladesh, from the Dubizzle Group. This was followed by a major expansion in late 2023 with the acquisition of the Lamudi property marketplaces in Indonesia and the Philippines, also from Dubizzle Group. These acquisitions transformed DCG into the second-largest property marketplace operator in Southeast Asia, with a presence in five core markets: Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea. The company's portfolio includes market-leading portals such as Lamudi.co.id, Lamudi.com.ph, Bproperty.com, Realestate.com.kh, and Hausples.com.pg. However, in March 2025, the company appointed an administrator and registered liquidator, entering into external administration. Subsequently, in June 2025, the global marketplace operator Lifull Connect acquired key DCG assets in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia through a new entity, SEA Connect Ventures, with founder Mat Care remaining involved to support the new journey.

Keywords: real estate marketplace, property portal, Southeast Asia property, online classifieds, transactional real estate, proptech, real estate technology, DCG, Lamudi, Bproperty, Hausples, Realestate.com.kh, Mathew Care, property investment, emerging markets, real estate services, digital real estate, property search, online property listings, real estate technology solutions