3cat

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.

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

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

• Refurbished smartphones
• Used electronics retail
• Device trade-in services
• Smartphone refurbishment
• Second-hand mobile devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Lumpur

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Device Repair Services: Repair services for screens, batteries, motherboards across all 22 stores using Grade A parts with 1-month warranty on repaired parts.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature2 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3cat-my

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3cat