3cat
3cat is a Malaysian omnichannel platform that buys, refurbishes, and resells pre-owned Apple and Google devices through 22 retail stores, an e-commerce site, and WhatsApp chat commerce, serving Malaysian consumers with warranties and instalment financing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What 3cat does
3cat is a Malaysian omnichannel retail platform founded in 2023 that purchases, refurbishes, and resells pre-owned smartphones, tablets, and wearables, primarily Apple and Google devices. Operating 22 physical stores across Malaysia alongside an e-commerce site (3cat.my) and a WhatsApp-based chat commerce channel powered by the 'Teega' chatbot, the company positions itself as Malaysia's largest used device retailer. Each device is processed through a 56-step quality check using NSYS diagnostic tools, with guaranteed minimum 85-90% battery health, a free 1-year warranty, and a 15-day money-back guarantee addressing the trust gap that historically plagues the secondhand electronics market in the region.
The revenue model combines four streams: hardware sales of used (and select new) iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Mac computers, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices at 20-65% discounts to new retail prices; trade-in and buyback services paying up to RM200 above competitor offers; device repair services using Grade A parts available at all store locations; and referral/service fees from device financing partnerships with JCL, AEON Credit, and eMicro. Customers can pay through SPayLater (up to 48 months), Grab PayLater (4 months at 0%), or instalment financing starting at RM2/day, broadening accessibility for under-banked buyers.
Founded by Karl Loo, Chris Ng, and Heinrich Wendel, 3cat operates as 3cat Sdn Bhd out of Kuala Lumpur with 51-100 employees and serves a primarily consumer-facing Malaysian customer base. The company raised Pre-Series A funding in June 2025 from The Radical Fund, AEON, Iterative, TA Ventures, and TheVentures, with proceeds earmarked for retail network expansion to approximately 100 stores, digital platform development, and a dedicated refurbishment center. Operations remain confined to Malaysia, with no disclosed international footprint.
3cat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 3cat
- Legal name
- 3cat Sdn Bhd
- Website
- https://3cat.my/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 3cat is a Malaysian omnichannel platform that buys, refurbishes, and resells pre-owned Apple and Google devices through 22 retail stores, an e-commerce site, and WhatsApp chat commerce, serving Malaysian consumers with warranties and instalment financing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
3cat industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Refurbished Consumer Electronics Retail
- NAICS
- Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492)
- SIC
- Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile Device Repair & Aftermarket Services (Repair, Parts, Insurance/Warranty) (CRACALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Warranty, Protection Plans & Extended Service Contracts (CRACAJAH), Consumer Electronics & Mobile Device Protection Plans (FSAJALAH)
Keywords
Where 3cat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kuala Lumpur
- HQ country
- Malaysia
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
3cat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Used Device Sales: Primary revenue from selling curated used Apple and Google devices (iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Mac, Android phones) at 20-65% discount to new prices. Devices sourced from professional international and local suppliers, refurbished to 'Great Condition' standard.
- Trade-in/Buyback: Customers sell their used devices to 3cat for instant cash. Company pays up to RM200 more than competitors and provides professional data wiping.
- Device Repair Services: Repair services for screens, batteries, motherboards across all 22 stores using Grade A parts with 1-month warranty on repaired parts.
- Device Financing Partnerships: Partnerships with JCL, AEON Credit, and eMicro to provide instalment financing for device purchases. 3cat earns referral/service fees from financing arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Used iPhone devices ranging from iPhone 11 to iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Used iPads from iPad mini to iPad Pro |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Used Android devices including Samsung and Google Pixel |
| Subscription | Monthly | Instalment financing via financial partners |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
3cat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
3cat is a Malaysian omnichannel retailer that sources, refurbishes, and resells pre-owned Apple and Google devices (iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Mac, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel) at up to 65% off new prices. The company also sells selected new devices and offers complementary trade-in, repair, device-financing referrals, and accidental-damage protection services via 22 physical stores and an e-commerce/WhatsApp channel.
Product overview
3cat operates as an omnichannel retail platform for used and new electronics, primarily focused on Apple and Google devices. The core product portfolio includes pre-owned iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Mac computers alongside used Android phones (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel). New devices (iPhones, Samsung phones) are also offered. Supporting services include trade-in/sell for cash, device repair using Grade A parts, device financing via JCL/AEON/eMicro partners, and CatCare accidental damage protection. The company differentiates through a 56-point quality check process, free 1-year warranty, and unique 15-day money-back guarantee. With 21-22 physical stores across Malaysia and online operations, customers can browse online, reserve specific units with virtual inspection, and collect or have devices delivered.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Used iPhones Pre-owned Apple iPhone smartphones passing 56-step expert checks with minimum 85-90% battery health, priced 20-65% below new, backed by free 1-year warranty and 15-day money-back guarantee. Targeted at Malaysian consumers seeking affordable smartphones.
- Used iPads Pre-owned Apple iPad tablets (iPad mini 4th through iPad Pro 13-inch M4) verified for quality with warranty coverage and instalment financing options.
- Used Apple Watch Pre-owned Apple Watch devices including Series and Ultra models inspected via 56-step checks with guaranteed battery health and warranty.
- Used Mac Pre-owned Apple Mac computers and laptops verified for quality and functionality, sold with warranty coverage.
- Used Android Phones Pre-owned Android smartphones including Samsung Galaxy (S23-S25 Ultra) and Google Pixel (9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold) passing quality checks with warranty coverage.
- New Smartphones Brand-new Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy smartphones (including Galaxy S25 series and foldable Z series) sold as a complement to the used device catalog.
- Trade-in / Sell Device Service Service allowing customers to sell or trade-in used devices for instant cash or credit toward a purchase; includes 5-10 minute valuation, professional data wipe, and free data transfer. Pricing reportedly up to RM200 higher than competitors.
- Device Repair Service Repair service covering screens, batteries, motherboards and other components using Grade A parts with a 1-month warranty on repaired parts, available at all 22 retail stores across Malaysia.
- Device Financing (Instalment Plans) Installment payment plans for device purchases arranged through partner financing providers (JCL, AEON Credit, eMicro) with no credit card required; from RM2/day, including 2-year device warranty and 1-year CatCare screen insurance. Over 4,963 applications approved in the current year.
- CatCare Accidental Damage Protection Optional protection plan covering accidental damage including drops and water damage, available for purchase at checkout alongside the free 1-year technical-defect warranty.
Quantifiable outcome
- Save up to 65% compared to new device prices
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 3cat
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
3cat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Feature2 records
3cat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
3cat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Swappie: Europe's leading refurbished iPhone retailer operating both online and physical stores with multi-step quality checks and warranty — directly comparable to 3cat's curated iPhone-centric refurbished model.
- Back Market: Global marketplace for refurbished electronics (smartphones, laptops, tablets) with certified quality grades and warranty — comparable to 3cat's quality-checked, warranty-backed refurbished device offering.
- Gazelle: US-based refurbished smartphone and tablet retailer with trade-in buyback, grading, and warranty — directly analogous to 3cat's buy/sell/refurbish smartphone model.
- reBuy: German recommerce platform for buying and selling used/refurbished consumer electronics including smartphones and tablets — directly comparable recommerce operating model.
- Refurbed: European marketplace for refurbished consumer electronics with certified quality and warranty — closely mirrors 3cat's quality-controlled refurbished device positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Apple Refurbished Store: Apple's own certified refurbished device program offering manufacturer-backed warranties — a broad incumbent that competes in 3cat's core premium iPhone/iPad/Mac category.
- Samsung Certified Re-Newed: Samsung's official refurbished Galaxy program offering certified pre-owned devices with warranty — competes directly in 3cat's Samsung Galaxy SKU range.
Regional players
- Mobile Klinik: Canadian smartphone repair, trade-in, and pre-owned device retailer with a mall-store footprint — analogous omnichannel model operating in a different geography.
- PhoneShark: Australian refurbished smartphone retailer with physical stores and online sales — comparable omnichannel used-device model operating in a different geography.
Emerging players
- Cashify: India's leading used smartphone recommerce platform with online and offline touchpoints for buy/sell/refurbish — comparable emerging-market model targeting similar smartphone-first consumers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
3cat social profiles
Digital presence3cat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
3cat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
3cat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
3cat M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 3cat
What does 3cat do?
3cat is a Malaysian omnichannel retailer that sources, refurbishes, and resells pre-owned Apple and Google devices (iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Mac, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel) at up to 65% off new prices. The company also sells selected new devices and offers complementary trade-in, repair, device-financing referrals, and accidental-damage protection services via 22 physical stores and an e-commerce/WhatsApp channel.
Is 3cat a public or private company?
3cat is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was 3cat founded?
3cat was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 3cat based?
3cat is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the Asia region.
How does 3cat make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Used Device Sales are the primary driver. The others are trade-in/Buyback, device Repair Services and device Financing Partnerships.
Who are 3cat's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Swappie, Back Market, Gazelle, reBuy and Refurbed. Broad incumbents are Apple Refurbished Store and Samsung Certified Re-Newed. Regional players are Mobile Klinik and PhoneShark. Cashify is listed as an emerging player.
Does 3cat have an API?
No public API is recorded for 3cat.
What industry is 3cat in?
3cat's product category is Refurbished Consumer Electronics Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACALAI, Mobile Device Repair & Aftermarket Services (Repair, Parts, Insurance/Warranty), with a secondary code of CRACAJAH, Warranty, Protection Plans & Extended Service Contracts. Its NAICS code is 4492 and its SIC code is 5731.