A Myanmar-based subscription gaming club named Goama today announced at the Echelon Asia summit, the launch of its “Netflix of Games” app for the India market.
The TOP100 gaming startup has built a platform called Go | Games and it has begun to gain traction across Southeast Asia — boasting 700,000 subscribers in six countries.
The company, backed by SOSV MOX — has dubbed itself the ‘Netflix of Games’ and is focused on emerging markets. Goama charges a subscription fee that allows customers to play a fulls suite of mobile games, with zero upfront cost, no ads, and no gaming interruptions.
The Android app is currently available in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
The co-founder and CEO, Taro Araya has signed global contracts with mobile giants including Axiata and Telenor Group, with another nine domestic Telco agreements under its belt. Go|Games is expected to go live in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand by the end of the year.
“Goama is already cash flow positive and have strong backing by private high net worth investors and the mobile accelerator SOSV Mox. With a return of 35 cents for every $1 invested, we see our aggressive growth plans of being live in 18 countries by the end of 2019 as a strong incentive for both our customers and investors,” stated Araya.
Co-founder and COO Wayne Kennedy explained the market.
“This year, mobile games are expected to hit US$70.3 billion (51 per cent of the total market) and its forecast that this will grow to US$106.4 billion by 2021 (59 per cent) with more than 2.3 billion gamers. We have a significant market opportunity to disrupt the industry,” he said.
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Today the Company is showcasing as one of the TOP 100 at Echelon Asia Summit. TOP 100 is a programme powered by e27 that empowers insights, connections, talent and funding opportunities for early-stage tech startups in Asia. Goama was selected in the ECHELON TOP 100 Cambodia winner, from startups pitching across 23 APAC cities in 2 months, spanning 7 market categories.[/vc_column_text][stm_spacer height=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Phnom Penh, 25th April 2018: After pitching their business ideas in front of a star-studded judging panel, Goama, the NETFLIX of Games for emerging countries, was picked as the Judge’s Choice of the inaugural Echelon TOP100 APAC 2018 Cambodia Qualifiers.
At Raintree Cambodia today, Goama competed with 20 other teams from the initial pool of over 30 teams. Goama will now be presented with a unique opportunity to meet with potential investors and government agencies at the Echelon Asia Summit 2018 in Singapore in June.
“We were really impressed with all the pitches today. They certainly represent the immense potential that Cambodia has in the startup scene. Besides being part of the TOP100 APAC Program, I am sure the winners will attract interest from many investors during Echelon that can bring a lot of advantages to their business and customers,” said Mohan Belani, e27 CEO and Co-Founder.
Four other startups were also selected including SPARE, a service to simplify booking or renting real estate and working spaces, which was awarded as Fan Favorite based on online votes. The other teams were BookMeBus, CamboTicket and Demine Robotics.
All winners will receive access to exclusive workshops as well as networking events across APAC and an invitation to exhibit and attend the annual Echelon Asia Summit 2018.
“I am thrilled to be voted as the Fan Favorite. Getting the chance to share our business ideas to investors internationally will definitely broaden our networks overseas as well as possibly gain financial support and recognition,” said Soeun Tharith, Co-Founder of SPARE.
TOP100 is an annual program that empowers insights, connections, talent and funding opportunities for early-stage tech startups in Asia. The program is powered by e27, Asia’s largest tech media platform. Throughout the last two months, e27 travelled through 23 APAC cities and partnered with community leaders and ecosystem expertise to curate the best tech startups to keep an eye out for.
At the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Kan Channmeta, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) lauded this initiative: “The TOP100 program is in line with the Royal Government’s increased focus of nurturing and promoting startups as part of the future digital economy. I’m delighted that Smart has been a strong partner of MPTC and NIPTICT in creating new opportunities and possibilities for the Cambodian startup space.”
This year, for the very first time, the Echelon TOP100 program has been brought to Cambodia with the support from the MPTC and Smart Axiata, the country’s leading mobile operator.
“Smart is honored to partner with e27 on this program that builds on the many initiatives that we have carried out to develop the Kingdom’s vibrant local startup ecosystem. Programs such as this with opportunities for international exposure will certainly provide these promising startups impetus to move to the next level,” explained Smart Axiata CEO Thomas Hundt.
Different from other country qualifiers, attendees to the event at Raintree today also gained valuable insights from regional prominent figures from venture capital, corporate, government and public policy backgrounds during the panel line-up as part of the morning program.[/vc_column_text][stm_spacer height=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
What a ruckus at Raintree Cambodia yesterday with all 21 startups impressing our judging panel one way or another. After much deliberation, Goama clinches the Judge’s Choice award.
Of course, we’ve not forgotten about our E27 and Echelon community as well as our friends from across the region who have been rallying behind our cause.
Which is why, with much enthusiasm, SPARE was named the Fan Favourite at Echelon TOP100 Cambodia Qualifiers Roadshow.
This time around, we have three special frontrunner awards for other promising startups who came in a close third, fourth, and fifth place. They are Demine Robotics, CamboTicket, and BookMeBus.
Kudos to all the startups for such a great showing!
Winner’s Profiles and Prizes
Goama is a gaming entity that adopts the subscription model; allowing users to have frictionless access to casual game playing without the annoyance and hassle of in-game advertisements, micro-payment purchases, or download fees.
According to the judges, Goama’s business model appeals to the exuberant youth gaming community that vastly improves the user experience whilst adopting the tried and tested subscription model.
Here are some of the “spoils of war” they receive:
Exhibition booth at Echelon Asia Summit 2018
6 months hot desk pass (Usable at any WeWork space in the SEA)
Additional digits in the bank account – S$500 (US$380)
As the crowd cheers for the Judges Choice award winner, you could almost hear another name popping out from amongst the crowd for SPARE.
The Fan Favourite winner is a digital platform aiming to solve the short-term space rental problem in Cambodia. Users would be able to search, book, review and host short-term venues including meeting rooms, event space, seminar space, indoor and outdoor spaces. This would be cost-effective for end-users and hosts alike.
Morning Panel Recap
The Cambodia TOP100 Qualifier Roadshow kicked-off with an insightful welcome address by H.E. Dr. Kan Channmeta from MPTC and Thomas Hundt, CEO of Smart Axiata.
They had both echoed the significant growth of the startup ecosystem in Cambodia.
Thomas Hundt had mentioned that the country need “to tell the region, the world, that Cambodia has something to show” with their unwavering support for the initiative through their innovation funds, Smart Start entrepreneur program and hosting hackathon events in the country.
H.E. Dr. Kan Channmeta acknowledges that very same growth with the ecosystem being recognised across the ASEAN region. However, he urged the audiences not to rest on their laurels as the success so far is the result of a “collaborative effort between external partners, academia, research institutes, development partners, and more to build an ecosystem for promoting digital content and solution.”
The three different panels that followed after spoke about lessons from the regional ecosystem on funding for Cambodia, women in technology, and embracing innovation and bringing Cambodia forward.
Echelon TOP100 Cambodia Qualifiers and Roadshow startups
1. CryptoAsia
CryptoAsia offers 2 products: a Bitcoin payment gateway and a cryptocurrency exchange. The payment gateway is based on the model of Bitpay but using technology from the open source project Mycelium Gear.
2. Clik
Clik provides a safe, seamless and simple payment experience. We provide merchants with customer data/analytics, loyalty programs & micro-targeting messaging tools to engage and grow their customer base.
3. Bayonia
Bayonia is a marketplace for personally selected high-quality accommodations exclusively for local Cambodian people.
4. KHhits
KHhits is a company provides the Cambodian music ranking chart by using data mining technology. Besides the ranking chart, we also offer fans opinion, demographical information, trends gender in music.
5. Healthogo
Healthogo is a central mobile application which helps people getting trustful health information, accessing to health services/products, persuading people to implement healthy routine, and share it.Also Read: Why we will make diversity and regional stories central to Echelon Asia Summit
6. Last2Ticket Asia
Last2ticket Asia is a Cambodian IT company that provides digital ticketing solutions. Based on a proprietary technology which allows the dematerialization of traditional tickets, the company solution optimizes promoter costs and enables instant purchase, easy and safe for the general public.
7. Sousdey Cambodia
Sousdey Cambodia specializes in marketing and in the development of custom software, especially in Facebook chatbots.
8. InfiniFab
InfiniFab is a cloud service with an AR application, empowering Makers to instantly access a 3DPrinter via individualized QR codes, then prepare and print their print-file without another application.
9. The DApact
DApact is a blockchain protocol for decentralised microfinance operations in low-income countries. This protocol allows for p2p loan origination, KYC and disbursement through the Ethereum blockchain.
10. CamboTicket
CamboTicket is a pioneer in travel tech in the Mekong region. Since its inception, Camboticket has received multiple awards and rated as one of the most promising travel start-ups in the Mekong region.
11. EDUQUEST HUB
EduQuest Hub is the first Educational information portal and marketplace in Cambodia bridging the Gap between Educator’s, Students and Professionals. Bringing EduTech Solutions & Trainings to Cambodia.
12. People and people
People and people as the name suggests is centred on the social nature of humans and the way we communicate with one another in this digital era. Their solution is to allow their user base to explore cultures and lives of other people through an application with beautiful UI.
13. Wapatoa
Wapatoa is the first collaborative digital media for Cambodian Youth. It empowers users to create, curate and share quality content with a focus on culture, societal issues and personal development.
14. Reservo Indonesia
Reservo Indonesia is a restaurant reservation app that helps users find the best restaurants in the vicinity. What’s more, the app is integrated with other services such as clinics, sports, and entertainment listings all in a convenient package on your mobile phone.
15. Demine Robotics
Demine Robotics has developed and built a small-scale, mobile, battery-powered robot that is capable of safely excavating landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) all with the control of a remote.
16. SAHA’KA Coworking
SAHA’KA Coworking is a creative coworking space in Phnom Penh that are equipped to be a vibrant and exciting space to enhance the collaborative spirit and support a network to help grow businesses in a conducive space.
17. MustAir
MustAir is a social enterprise aimed at reducing deforestation in Cambodia with a business model of selling N95 masks to tackle pollution which in turn is complemented by the planting of a new tree in Prey Lang Forest.
18. BookMeBus
BookMeBus is a Cambodian-based tech startup which focuses on bringing innovative end-to-end solutions from fleet management to e-commerce to transport operators through an easy-to-use mobile application.
19. DNAK AI Hotel
DNAK AI Hotel allows guests to stay with their very own Artificial Intelligence butler at the hotel located in the heart of Phnom Penh. Guests would have activities such as VR games, films, and other forms of content created by Cambodian artists.
This civil engineer from the Xavierian University arrived in New Zealand in 1995, on a scholarship from the University of Auckland, to specialize in Geothermal Engineering.
After a successful career that led him to work in major companies such as Sinclair Knight Merz Ltd. and Thorburn Consultants Ltd., he opened in 2003 AR Civil Consulting Ltd., his own consulting firm in civil and environmental engineering, which in recent eleven years has been stood out for its projects in environmental management of rainwater in the public and private sectors in New Zealand
Ángela María Tafur Domínguez
A Lawyer by the Xaverian University and with a Masters’ Degree in International Law by Cornell University in New York, Ángela María Tafur is the brain behind “Give to Colombia,” a model of strategic philanthropy that seeks to promote foreign donations to support vulnerable populations in Colombia.
In ten years, “Give to Colombia” has raised more than twenty million dollars that have been invested in projects in education, health, economic development and the environment.
Her work has been recognized with major awards such as the BID-FEMSA Water and Sanitation Award for Latin America and the Caribbean (2014) in the category of Management of Sanitation and a four-star rating in the Charity Navigator ranking.
Alberto “Beto” Pérez
This Caleño dancer began his career as a trainer and choreographer of important Colombian stars such as Shakira. In 1999 he immigrated to the United States, and thanks to his experience as a trainer he began teaching aerobics with his own routine, currently known worldwide with the name of Zumba.
In 2001 he founded Zumba Fitness, LLC, a successful company that sells Zumba videos, sportswear and grants licenses to the trainers interested in implementing the Zumba fitness program in gyms all over the world.
Javier Andrés Cardona Mora
A Business Administrator by the Externado University with a Masters’ Degree in Marketing by the EAFIT University, this Bogotano settled in 2011 in the United Arab Emirates; where a year later he opened the company Mobile Estrategies, through which, via SMS service, he offers entertainment and communication to the low-income immigrant population without access to the internet.
Mauricio Sabogal
This Bogotano business administrator was the executive director of Kinetic Worldwide, Nielsen and Mindshare, a part of the WPP group, was the founder of Omnicom Media Group in Latin America and creator of BPN, a network of agencies with a presence in over 26 countries.
In 2009 he was named as “the most powerful Latin American in the business of media agencies” by the Advertising Age magazine and in 2010 he was named as “one of the 20 most influential people of the decade in the business of advertising, in Latin America” by the Ad Latina magazine.
Paola Tafur Jiménez
A business administrator by the Xavierian University, this Colombian based in Mexico is the founder of SBS Facilitadores, a company dedicated to designing and facilitating training and human development processes for teams and large multinational companies with offices in Mexico.
Paula Mendoza
A Journalist by the Xavierian University, Paula Mendoza is one of the most renowned jewelry designers in the United States. Her designs are sold in exclusive boutiques in Australia, Europe and Latin America due to their high quality standards.
Her workforce is made up mostly by householder women in the neighborhood of La Candelaria in Bogota. “All I am achieving now is owed to the infinitely great team that I have in Colombia,” she says.
Taro Araya
This Colombian businessman, based in Bangladesh since 2005, is the founder of Miaki, a company which is responsible for the management of information through telecommunications channels such as call centers, text messaging, etc., focused on entertainment, agriculture and health issues.
The company has won major international awards, such as the Connected World Forum – Innovation in Mobile VAS and the MIT Portugal Entrepreneur Venture Competition award.
Inti Vélez Botero and Daniel Mancini Barón
These young people from Bogota are the creators of the successful design studio Wanda Barcelona. Their work, in which the management of paper and cardboard techniques must be highlighted, has featured prominently in the shop windows of big brands like Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera and Cartier, among others.
In 2013, invited by the Spanish government, they took part in the Design Fair in New York; and in 2014 they were invited to the traveling exhibition Lady Dior As Seen By.
