Mystartr

Mystartr Sdn Bhd operates as a key crowdfunding operator in Malaysia, providing a platform for capital formation for startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). The company was founded in 2012 by Goh Boon Peng, who drew inspiration from the success of crowdfunding models in the US and identified a need for a localized platform in Malaysia, particularly for the creative and Mandarin-speaking communities. Goh, formerly involved in e-commerce development at Purple Cane Group, leveraged his experience to establish Mystartr, initially as a reward-based crowdfunding site.

A significant milestone in the company's history was in 2019, when it was licensed by the Securities Commission (SC) of Malaysia to operate as an equity crowdfunding (ECF) platform. This pivot allowed the company to facilitate larger investment rounds and tap into the growing interest in early-stage company investments. Mystartr primarily serves Malaysian-incorporated private companies and LLPs, connecting them with a network of retail, angel, and sophisticated investors. The business model generates revenue through fees charged to the issuers, which include a non-refundable processing fee and a success fee based on a percentage of the total funds raised.

The platform facilitates funding for a diverse range of sectors, including food and beverage, technology, e-commerce, and health tech. Beyond just a funding portal, Mystartr has built an ecosystem to support entrepreneurs. This includes educational workshops, coaching programs for successful issuers, and a startup competition initiated in 2017 called the "Dream Factory Startup Competition". To increase public awareness of ECF, the company has also engaged in media partnerships, including collaborating with Astro on a crowdfunding-themed reality TV show called "The Sandbox". The company has plans to launch a secondary market to provide liquidity for ECF investors and has stated ambitions for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) by 2027.

Keywords: equity crowdfunding, Malaysia, fundraising platform, startup funding, SME financing, reward-based crowdfunding, investment platform, Goh Boon Peng, Securities Commission Malaysia, ECF, capital raising, retail investors, venture capital, tech startups, F&B funding, Dream Factory, The Sandbox, secondary market, startup ecosystem, Mandarin-speaking market, creative industry funding, alternative finance