3cat raises $4M Series A to bring pre-owned tech to the Philippines
What's the deal? 3catDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, an omnichannel platform for pre-owned electronics, has raised $4 million in a Series A round led by Foxmont Capital PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with participation from the Asian Development BankDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Golden Gate VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Founded in 2023, the company has grown from an online-only business into a network of more than 20 stores across Malaysia.
What's the endgame? 3cat pairs the economics of pre-owned devices with quality checks, a 12-month warranty and a retail experience meant to rival buying new. Most in-store transactions involve an online touchpoint, including the company's proprietary AI sales agents.
Why now? Rising component costs are pushing smartphone prices up, widening the gap between what consumers want and what they can afford. That trend underpins 3cat's case that refurbished devices can be a credible mainstream alternative.
Where next? The funding backs 3cat's entry into the Philippines, its first international market. The country sold 18.4 million smartphones in 2025 — nearly twice Malaysia's market — yet a new handset can cost up to double a Filipino's median monthly income, sharpening demand for cheaper options.
What they're saying: "Trust is what makes this category scalable," said Karl Loo, chief executive officer and co-founder of 3cat. Foxmont managing partner Jelmer Ikink said the firm led the round because 3cat "has built a repeatable omnichannel model that can expand access to quality devices across the Philippines and beyond."
The signal: At $4 million, this is a modest early-stage raise, but the investor mix stands out. The Asian Development Bank's involvement lends institutional weight to a thesis that treats affordability and trust — not just supply — as the levers for turning pre-owned electronics into a mainstream category across Southeast Asia.
Read more: newsbywire.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
