Bateriku.com Closes US$7.4 Million Series B Round to Enhance Roadside Assistance and Accelerate Environmental Goals


4 September 2024


SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, 4 September 2024: Bateriku (M) Sdn Bhd (Bateriku.com), Malaysia’s leading connected roadside assistance solution provider, has successfully raised US$7.4 million (RM34.7 million) in its Series B funding round. This landmark investment attracted strategic backing from Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP), Gobi Partners, VentureTECH SBI Capital LP, and VentureTECH Sdn Bhd, solidifying Bateriku.com’s position as an industry trailblazer.

Building on the success of its Series A funding led by Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) in 2022, Bateriku.com is poised to take bold steps forward. Over the next 18 months, the Selangor-based tech firm will channel these funds into advancing its technology and enhancing the Vehicle Ownership Experience (VOE). The company aims to seamlessly integrate the automotive verticals of Battery, Breakdown, “Bengkel” (car workshops and auto part shops), and Bazaar (auto parts marketplace) into one cohesive ecosystem.

Bateriku.com Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Azarol Faizi said: “Securing this funding in our 10th year is a tremendous honour. It reflects the unwavering trust our investors place in our vision. This investment will fuel our mission to transform roadside assistance and reshape the automotive ecosystem.”

“Our journey began as a traditional battery retailer, but our vision was always to build an integrated ecosystem catering to every vehicle owner’s needs. By harnessing technology, we’ve scaled our gig technician and entrepreneurship platforms to deliver unmatched customer experiences.”

In alignment with its social responsibility, Bateriku.com launched Akademi Bateriku in 2022. This accredited institute, recognised by the Department of Skills Malaysia under the Ministry of Human Resources, provides reskilling and up-skilling programmes for automotive professionals within its ecosystem. To date, nearly 2,000  Malaysians, including Bateriku.com’s internal ecosystem members (BHero gig mobile technicians, BPreneur entrepreneurs), workshop owners (e.g., Petronas AutoExpert), individual mechanics, and the general public, have attended the classes.

Bateriku.com’s extensive network includes nearly 200 Pitstop outlets across Malaysia and its first international outpost in South Jakarta, Indonesia. Its robust ecosystem comprises over 1,000 trained gig technicians (BHero), 78 entrepreneurs (BPreneur), and close to 3,000 workshop and auto part partners (BBuddy), all coordinated through a 24/7/365 Contact Centre that seamlessly connects customers to the nearest service providers.

While the battery business remains at the heart of Bateriku.com’s operations, environmental sustainability is a core priority. The company’s “Go Recon Save The World” initiative focuses on reconditioning and recycling batteries, ensuring they are reused, repaired, or responsibly recycled. This initiative supports Bateriku.com’s nationwide warranty and after-sales programmes, with non-reconditionable batteries processed by licensed smelters approved by the Department of Environment (DOE).

Azarol added:

“To give some perspective, approximately 500,000 car batteries are being replaced every month in Malaysia which indicate roughly 10,000 Tonnes of used batteries are being disposed of each month.

Bateriku.com collects slightly less than 1,000 used car batteries every month from our customers across the nation and it’s  our responsibility and in our best interest that our  customers are educated on the impact of proper used battery disposal to the environment particularly through our ‘Go Recon Save The World’ initiative.

Gobi Partners Co-founder and Chairperson, Thomas Tsao said: “Bateriku.com’s ‘Go Recon Save The World’ initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to invest in ventures that not only deliver strong returns but also make a positive impact on the environment. Their approach to battery reconditioning and recycling sets a new benchmark in the automotive industry.

This significant capital infusion is set to propel Bateriku.com’s growth across Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia, with Indonesia and Singapore as the first international markets targeted for expansion and replication of its innovative business model.

ENDS

About Bateriku (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Bateriku.com)

Established in March 2014, Bateriku.com began as an on-demand car battery replacement service, evolving into an ecosystem that connects car users with roadside assistance, trusted workshops, an auto parts marketplace, and ancillary services. Bateriku.com has grown by leveraging big data, technology, and the sharing economy.

Bateriku.com operates nearly 200 retail outlets (Pitstops) nationwide and has served more than 1.5 million car owners. The company operates in all states across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, and plans to expand regionally, starting with its first Pitstop in Serpong, South Jakarta, Indonesia.

Bateriku.com employs 382 people and has built its ecosystem by training nearly 1,000 gig mobile technicians (BHeroes), developing 78 entrepreneurs (BPreneurs), and onboarding approximately 2,000 car workshops (BBuddies). The company provides centralised training to internal and external parties through Akademi Bateriku – a training institution endorsed by the Department of Skills Malaysia (JPK) and the National Dual Training System (SLDN) under the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia.

Bateriku.com is committed to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, embracing sustainable and ethical practices such as:

Environmental
Second Life: Used batteries are selected, reconditioned, and repurposed as temporary batteries to extend their lifespan and reduce waste.
Ethical Disposal: Batteries that cannot be repurposed are properly disposed of by the Department of Environment’s (DOE) licensed smelters.

Social
The company employs people with disabilities, adopts a sharing economy model to generate additional income for the public as BHeroes, and fosters entrepreneurship as BPreneurs.

Governance
The company is governed transparently and adheres to best practices to protect the interests of its stakeholders.