The road to fundraising

• Following their recent US$10M Series A, 500-backed iMotorbike Co-founder & CEO Gil Carmo shared insights on successful fundraising, and his plans for iMotorbike’s future.
  • Find the right investors. Gil emphasized the importance of due diligence in choosing investors who align with the company’s long-term vision. He believes this is critical in building strong, collaborative relationships.
  • Look beyond the money. Investors needed to bring real value — whether through networks, expertise, or experience in scaling a business. Gil explained that this helps them navigate challenges and seize opportunities effectively.
  • Focus on building a good track record, not just a great pitch. It was about proving they had a scalable solution in a high-demand market, and their success came down to four key factors: (1) Market fit — they identified and seized a gap in the pre-owned motorcycle industry; (2) Performance — consistent revenue growth and operational efficiency reassured investors; (3) Transparency — clear business plans, realistic milestones, and aligned goals built trust; and (4) Experience — a proven track record showed they could turn strategy into results.
• With motorcycles being the primary mode of transport for 80% of households in Taiwan, expanding there was a natural next step, and serves as iMotorbike’s gateway into the East Asian market.
• “One of the key reasons Taiwan stands out is its developed infrastructure and the entrenched preference for motorcycles as a primary mode of transportation,” Gil explained.
• Gil is also observing a growing optimism among international investors towards Malaysian startups. He shared, “Malaysia’s growing tech ecosystem is gaining recognition globally, supported by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, a stable regulatory environment, and government initiatives focused on digitalization and innovation.”
• He also highlighted that Malaysia’s expanding talent pool is drawing investor confidence.
• Read the full story on Vulcan Post.

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