BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  Fueled for Expansion: iMotorbike’s $10M Growth Playbook

Fueled for Expansion: iMotorbike’s $10M Growth Playbook

Gil Carmo, CEO, iMotorbike | Sharmeen Looi, CMO, iMotorbike

13-Mar-25 10:00

Fueled for Expansion: iMotorbike’s $10M Growth Playbook

With a $10 million Series A in the bag and backing from Gobi Partners, 500 Global, Headline, and Endeavor Catalyst, what’s next for iMotorbike?

Since launching in 2016, iMotorbike has evolved from a classifieds site into a full-fledged e-commerce platform for buying and selling pre-owned motorcycles. In this episode of Open For Business, co-founders Gil Carmo (CEO) and Sharmeen Looi (CMO) share how their 2021 pivot introduced a 6-day return policy, warranties, and financing options, transforming iMotorbike into a trusted one-stop center for motorcycles.

Now, with fresh capital, they’re scaling in Malaysia (Johor & Penang), doubling down on Vietnam, and expanding into Taiwan, while also growing their showroom network and inspection centers. We explore their 3X annual growth, their TikTok-driven marketing strategy, and how they’re setting the stage for profitable expansion and a potential IPO or M&A exit.

Here are 6 AI-Generated highlights from the conversation:

  • From Classifieds to E-Commerce – Pivoted in 2021 to a full-service platform, streamlining buying, selling, and financing.

  • $10M Series A Funding – Backed by top VCs, fueling regional expansion into Vietnam, Taiwan & Malaysia.

  • 3X Yearly Growth & Scaling Strategy – Tripling revenue annually, targeting 5X growth in 2025.

  • Physical Showrooms & Inspection Centers – Expanding beyond digital with 46,806 sq. ft. showrooms & 15 inspection centers.

  • Marketing & Community Growth via TikTok – 1.6M+ TikTok views, engaging riders through events & Telegram groups.

  • The Road Ahead: Profitability & Expansion Plans – Aiming for profitable showrooms, future Series B funding & IPO/M&A exit.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketsCars/MotoringSMEentrepreneurs

Tags:  used motorcyclesSeries A fundingSoutheast Asia mobilitymotorcycle marketplacee-commerce startup





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

William Pesek, columnist with Nikkei Asia, discusses implications of a possible snap general election in Japan.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Adib Zalkapli of Viewfinder Global Affairs weighs in on UMNO’s general assembly and its implications for the party’s future.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Chan Soon Seng, Chief Executive Officer of Teach for Malaysia, and Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Chairman, Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE), share their take on the education reforms for Malaysia primary schools.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Andy Davison, Founder and CEO of The Expat Group Media, discusses the implications of Malaysia’s higher minimum salary requirements for expatriate employment passes on expats and companies.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Tony Nash, CEO, Complete Intelligence tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Aidan YAO, Senior Investment Strategist, Asia, Amundi, shares his outlook for global markets as they kick off 2026 with record highs.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Kevin Neoh, licensed financial planner at VKA Wealth Planners, discusses on sticking to personal finance resolutions in the new year.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Kugan Thirunavakasaru, Chief Innovation Officer at CelcomDigi and Professor Dr Adina Abdullah, Family Medicine Specialist, Acting Head of Digital Health Unit, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. In this episode of Tech Talk, we explore how 5G, AI, and mixed reality are reshaping the future of healthcare delivery. Following a world first multi country live surgery conducted by Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and CelcomDigi, we look at how holomedicine is enabling real time surgical mentoring, immersive medical training, and cross border collaboration. Kugan Thirunavakasaru, Chief Innovation Officer at CelcomDigi, and Professor Dr Adina Abdullah, Family Medicine Specialist and Acting Head of the Digital Health Unit at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, share how ultra low latency 5G and holographic visualisation are moving from pilot projects into real clinical environments. We discuss what this means for access to specialist care, surgical education, and Malaysia’s ambitions as a regional healthcare a

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

APAC in 2026: Resilience Amidst a Slowing China. Fitch Ratings’ Thomas Rookmaaker unpacks why Asia maintains a neutral outlook despite China’s projected slowdown to 4.1% and why Thailand remains the region's sole "Negative" outlier.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Chan Soon Seng, Chief Executive Officer of Teach for Malaysia, and Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, Chairman, Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE), share their take on the education reforms for Malaysia primary schools.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

We speak to Wendy Kopp, CEO and co-founder of Teach For All about her passion for education, how Teach For All fills in the gaps in education inequality and what Malaysia can do better.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

Can babies really hear their mom’s voice in the womb? Why are some people tone-deaf? We explore some hearing trivia and learn more about hearing loss.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday