Investree Secures Series B Funding, Targeting Thailand for the Next Expansion

P2p lending startup Investree announces the acquisition of Series B funding with undisclosed value led by SBI Holdings Inc. The other participated investors are Mandiri Capital Indonesia, Persada Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, and 9F Fintech Holdings Group. Kejora Ventures, as existing investor, also involves

SBI Holdings Inc. is a Japan-based multinational company. Along with its subsidiaries, the company engaged in the financial service segment, such as banking, insurance, economic information, credit card investment, p2p lending, asset management, and biotechnology.

The fresh fund will be used to develop a new technology and product lines, expand the user base by launching some marketing strategies, and recruiting new talents. In addition, Investree is ready to take Thailand after its business operation started in Vietnam as eLoan brand.

Adrian Gunadi, Investree's Co-Founder and CEO, said the new office in Thailand will be officially running by the end of this year. Currently, they're still digging with local partners regarding regulation and other mechanisms.

"When Investree first came to Indonesia, connection with the regulators and deep understanding of the market were two critical issues. This is our asset for regional expansion," he added on Tue (7/31).

Next Plan

Aside of regional expansion, Investree started to expand its business outside Java. North Sumatra is one of the target areas. The company creates diversification by channeling scheme to distribute funding with BPD (Regional Representative Council) or BPR (People's Representative Council) as a partner. The first step is with North Sumatra's BPD that shows its commitment by distributing Rp200 billion.

"Furthermore, we can be partner with Asbanda for loan distribution with BPD or BPR which good intention in supporting our expansion outside Java."

In addition, the company seeks new lenders by boosting up marketing initiatives. The company will continue to multiply loan sources, not only retail lenders but also institutions as an effort for easy funds to be distributed as loans for the borrowers.

Gunadi said that institution is currently reached 10% of the total lenders in Investree. They come from financial institutions, domestic and international hedge fund, bank, and multifinance. He expects the lender parts of this group can reach 30% by next year.

Investree has 45,528 lenders and around 2,256 borrowers in July 2018. The distributed crowdfund has reached Rp1.04 trillion or up to 70% of Rp1.5 trillion as the total target during this year.

The total distribution is around 80%-90% which comes from financing invoice products. The rest is from other products, such as merchant cash advance, online seller financing, employee b2b loan, SBR 003 sales, and sharia-based products. In average, the tenor given is 59 days with 16.6% interest rate.

– Original article is in Indonesian, translated by Kristin Siagian