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 : The 6AM Stretch: Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our...

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

Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global 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

Sim Moh Siong, Commodity Strategist, OCBC Bank gives us an outlook on oil prices.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

John Zogby, Founder of Zogby Strategies,discusses the rising tensions between the US, Denmark, and Greenland over the island’s strategic role in the Arctic.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Fozia Amanulla, CEO of Boost Bank Berhad, talks about what makes the digital bank stands out among its peers.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Goh Cia Yee, Criminal Lawyer, weighs in on whether Deferred Prosecution Agreements are a step forward or a loophole for major corruption cases.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

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

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Sean Tan, CEO & Co-Founder and Jesmine Tan, COO & Co-Founder, Applecrumby. Two years ago, Applecrumby was navigating its transition from a long bootstrapped journey into its next growth phase. Today, the company is expanding beyond baby care into kids skincare, scaling its retail presence, and rethinking what sustainable growth looks like for a consumer brand built on trust. Co-founders Sean Tan and Jesmine Tan join us to break down what has changed since our last conversation in 2024, how their revenue mix and operations have evolved, the commercial logic behind their move into kids skincare, the economics of selling across online and physical retail, and how they are balancing scale with profitability as they plan for 2026 and beyond.

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Fozia Amanulla, CEO of Boost Bank Berhad, talks about what makes the digital bank stands out among its peers.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Front Row

Encounter: Anime 2.0 brings iconic anime music to life with a full symphony orchestra. Producer Alvin Ong and conductor Justin Lai tell us what audiences can expect.

3:25 PM

Front Row

God’s Waiting Room is a tender look at ageing and connection. Writer-director Joe Hasham and actor Faridah Merican discuss storytelling, partnership, and creativity later in life.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

We’ve been fighting an uphill battle against super gonorrhoea, a drug-resistant infection, but we finally have new antibiotics that could work against this infection. Tune in to find out why this matters.

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

Popcorn Culture

We review Train Dreams and The Voice of Hind Rajab.

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

Bar None

9:00 PM

The Selector