Unlockd gets Axiata digital as strategic partner via US$23 mln Series B funding

SINGAPORE: Australian-based ad and content funded mobile platform, Unlockd, yesterday announced a strategic partnership with Axiata Digital group as part of closing their US$23 million (US$1=RM4.29) Series B funding round.

Axiata Digital is the digital services arm of Malaysian telcommunications company, Axiata Group Bhd.

The partnership is the result of Axiata Digital’s lead investment in Unlockd’s Series B round and will accelerate the company’s entry into Asia by leveraging on Axiata’s carrier list.

Axiata has presence across 10 countries, including mobile operations in key markets of Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, India and Singapore.

The US$23 million Series B round also has strong follow on investment from existing strategic and early stage investors and also brings a new venture capital firm, Alium based in Australia into the investor list.

The new injection of capital will fund the company’s expansion into new markets and sectors, as well as scale its operations globally following the successful execution of four large markets in the first 15 months.

“Axiata Digital’s strategic and financial support provides us with an expedited pathway into one of the fastest growing smartphone regions in the world,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder of Unlockd, Matt Berriman in a statement here.

“Being able to secure agreements with their operating companies to roll out in key markets sooner than previously planned also means we could raise less capital than we originally anticipated,” he said. — Bernama