In a typical year, December is when your hands run over the smooth surface of a brand new yearly planner. We pause to reflect on the peaks and troughs of the year before, and start vigorously micro-planning for the upcoming year. But 2020 was anything but typical.
2020, despite its peculiarity, was the year the human spirit shone brightest. Across the globe, communities came together to ensure that even strangers stood a fighting chance. From Luxembourg taking in patients from France, to Denmark paying it forward by offering assistance to Uganda, and of course – the dreams on our platform that were powered by you.
This time, our yearly recap commemorates the moments of resilience, resourcefulness, teamwork and dedication from the Ata Plus Community. So read along to celebrate all that we have achieved together.
Coming Together While Staying Apart
March 2020 marked the beginning of our Work From Home policy, but despite the physical distance, the Ata plus team found ways to embrace virtual connection, not just with each other – but with our community of companies, startups, investors and Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) supporters as well.
Through innovation and resilience, our team helped create a completely virtual ecosystem to best serve our community. Our historically face-to-face pitching sessions were transformed into curated, online events. Through our ‘Eye Contact’ and ‘Eye to Eye’ sessions, we connect the trailblazing companies listed with us to investors around the globe.
We’ve also continued with our efforts of making the Malaysian Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) environment more favourable so more businesses can thrive. Through our #AskAta sessions, we answered all the questions you had on the A-Z’s of ECF, to developing a compelling story for your brand, to understanding valuation methods.
2020 was also the year where we lobbied for the biggest change with Securities Commision Malaysia. We had advocated for the temporary increase of the Malaysian Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) ratio in order to give entrepreneurs and SMEs the boost they needed in a challenging year. Between April and December 2020, the MyCIF co-investment ratio was increased from 1:4 to 1:2, which meant every RM2 raised through private investors would be matched with RM1 from MyCIF. The Securities Commission also increased the limit of their funding from RM500,000 per campaign to RM1,000,000 – a move that went a long way considering the impact of the pandemic.
Yet, of course, our team would not have advocated for the entrepreneurs and SMEs as hard as we did – if it weren’t for the indelible resolution of those listed on our platform.
McFly was right: It’s All About You.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to those listed on our platform. The startups, companies and entrepreneurs – young and old – who dived deep to find opportunities within difficult circumstances. Despite the bleak situation globally, a record-breaking 22 companies were listed on our platform; but the good news doesn’t stop there – the companies on our platform weren’t just tenacious enough to Crowdfund in a pandemic, but they were also on a mission to give back.
Here to Protect
In a year that made the vulnerable even more so, we received listing applications from numerous companies that aimed to protect them. From Insurtech companies like GFlex40 that provide insurance coverage from the price of an iced milo and uLearnMONEY; a financial education platform helping the ordinary person navigate financial planning. The environment received just as much love, with startups like Maeko, GoApe and FEFIFO that are working to create a world that reduces waste, is carbon neutral and encourages urban farming.
Accelerating Your Transformation
We also haven’t forgotten the companies that are helping Malaysia overcome the digital divide. LXE aims to fill a crucial communication gap between clients and their lawyers, Pasar App enables the local communities to purchase goods from their favourite wet market stalls (especially during the movement restriction orders) and GreenPro A.I Accounting, that helps startups generate financial reports to better inform their decisions moving forward without the need for an accounting staff; enabling cost savings of up to 90%.
The backbone of the Malaysian economy is undeniably our SMEs, startups and the people on the street with a dream. At Ata Plus, we are proud to play a small role in your dreams coming true – all of which could not be possible without our brave investors.
You Funded Their Dreams
275 days is enough time for a new life to be brought into this world, 275 minutes is the perfect length of time for slow-cooked pulled beef, and 275 investors can make dreams come true.
Much like Ata Plus, our network of investors (hello, you!) believe in the power of inclusivity; transcending the traditional barriers of age and gender to invest in the companies that they believe in. Studies have shown that more and more millenials want their financial decisions to align with their ethical values, and our investors have proven this to be true.
Over the year 2020, the companies listed on our platform have attracted 275 investors, 58% of them being millennials who put in anywhere from RM500 to support the startups of choice, with the biggest attracted investment totalling to over RM600,000, all done online.
As the world embraces the lessons of 2020 and moves towards a more sustainable, and equal world – we remain optimistic of ECF’s growth in the coming year.
Speaking Of Equality of Opportunities
We’re always proud to say that Crowdfunding is here to stay – and we can only say this because of your unwavering support and dedication.
We believe that the power rests with the people, and with the increasing demand for alternative financing avenues where both startups and investors are able to benefit – our government continues to support this aim. With joy, we’d like to share that the Government has allocated an additional RM30 million into MyCIF – startups who crowdfund with Equity Crowdfunding platforms can now benefit from the 1:4 co-investment ratio and enjoy a 50% tax break for their investments capped at RM50,000.
We’re also excited to share with you our unique lineup of startups that are going live on our platform in January. So we hope that you continue with us in 2021 to democratise wealth; give startups the boost needed to chase their dreams and make Malaysia A Nation of Investors.
Author Profile
- Cheska Tatiana is a storyteller, often using the power of storytelling over the course of her career as a performance delivery consultant (turned financial technology consultant) and mentor.
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