Indonesia’s first text-based virtual personal assistance service YesBoss, backed by 500 Startups, is eyeing Singapore and Malaysia for its regional expansion, according to Reynir Fauzan, co-founder & CMO. Less than a month back, YesBoss announced the acquisition of a Philippines-based personal assistant service Hey Kuya for an undisclosed amount. In October last year, YesBoss raised seed funding from 500 Startups, Japan’s IMJ Investment Partners, and Indonesia’s Convergence Ventures.
Fauzan told DEALSTREETASIA, YesBoss was looking at widening its reach in the region as part of a long-term strategy, while maintaining focus on service development in Indonesia. “We are aware of the abundant opportunities outside of the country. Singapore and Malaysia are obviously among the countries in the region that we are studying right now. At the same time, we want to strengthen our costumer base here (Indonesia),” Fauzan said. YesBoss sees regional expansion as an “opportunity to grow the base of satisfied customers on a regional level”. The aim was for ensuring YesBoss users getting the best service whenever they are travelling around Southeast Asia.
Launched in beta in June 2015, YesBoss claims to have 60,000 registered active users, compared to 20,000 active users only a few months ago. Gulfikar Rinjani, business development manager, YesBoss, said, demand has continued to grow outstripping capacity resulting in a wait list of several thousand prospective users. The company, which is targeting 100,000 active users in 2016, is in the process of securing a Series A funding from foreign and local investors. “However the amount is still undisclosed,” said Rinjani. She went on to say YesBoss will launch its mobile application in the next couple of months, to further enhance user’s experience and access to their virtual personal assistant.
Original article here by Deal Street Asia
Attributed to Antonia Timmerman
Disclosure: YesBoss is a portfolio company of Convergence Ventures