Duriana

Duriana was a Malaysian-based mobile classifieds startup that operated as a peer-to-peer marketplace. The company was founded in October 2014, with Saeed Gouda and Amanda Ernst as co-founders. The platform facilitated the buying and selling of a variety of goods, with a particular focus on fashion, gadgets, electronics, and home furnishings, targeting users with similar interests in these categories.

The business operated primarily in Malaysia and the Philippines, building a credible presence in both markets. Duriana's revenue model was based on facilitating transactions between users on its mobile application. The app provided a platform for users to list their pre-loved items for sale, connecting them with a community of buyers. By March 2015, the app listed 600,000 products and was processing a few thousand transactions per week. Over its lifetime, the startup raised approximately US$3.3 million in funding from investors, including Alps Ventures and the Japanese firm Beenos.

In a strategic move to consolidate the mobile classifieds market in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore-based Carousell acquired Duriana in January 2017. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Following the deal, Duriana's user base of over 600,000 was migrated to the Carousell platform, and Duriana ceased its operations. The acquisition was part of Carousell's broader growth strategy to strengthen its leadership in Malaysia and expand its footprint in the Philippines. The founders of Duriana were expected to leave the company after the acquisition to pursue new ventures.

Keywords: Duriana, mobile marketplace, P2P classifieds, e-commerce Malaysia, online marketplace, secondhand goods, mobile commerce, Carousell acquisition, Saeed Gouda, Amanda Ernst, consumer-to-consumer, digital classifieds, Southeast Asia tech, startup exit, venture capital, Beenos, Alps Ventures, fashion marketplace, electronics resale, pre-loved items