The Asia Connects

Name

The Asia Connects

Legal name

The Asia Connects

Website

https://theasiaconnects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Media Publishing

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising Agencies (54181)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Advertising (Brand + Performance + Media) (BPAFAAAA)

Keywords

• Business magazine publishing
• SME awards programs
• Digital editorial content
• Brand advertorial services
• Entrepreneur networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Lumpur

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Editorial Packages: The company offers three advertising packages: Personality Interview (RM8,500), Brand Advertorial (RM5,500), and Advertisement Option (RM5,000). These packages provide businesses with editorial coverage and brand visibility in the Asia Connects magazine and on their website.
2. SEBA Awards Events: The company organizes and operates the SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards (SEBA) in partnership with Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia. SEBA has multiple regional editions (Northern, Central) and generates revenue through award nominations, sponsorships, and event attendance.
3. Digital Content and Magazine: Asia Connects Magazine is published digitally, featuring business stories, interviews, and industry insights. The publication serves as a platform for connecting entrepreneurs and businesses across Asia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Asia Connects operates a digital e-magazine and business media platform that publishes articles, interviews, and profiles of Malaysian and ASEAN entrepreneurs. It also co-organizes the SEBA Awards (SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards) with Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia, and sells three advertising/editorial packages (Personality Interview at RM8,500, Brand Advertorial at RM5,500, and Advertisement Option at RM5,000) to businesses seeking editorial exposure and brand visibility.

Product overview

The Asia Connects is a media and publishing platform that operates as a digital e-magazine focused on connecting Malaysian entrepreneurs in Asia. The core offering includes the Asia Connects Magazine publication featuring business stories, interviews, and company profiles, alongside the SEBA Awards program organized by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia. The platform also offers three service packages: Personality Interview (RM8,500), Brand Advertorial (RM5,500), and Advertisement Option (RM5,000), which are marketing and advertising services for businesses seeking exposure through the platform's editorial content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Asia Connects Magazine A digital e-magazine publication covering business and innovation stories from Asia, featuring interviews, articles, and profiles of Malaysian entrepreneurs and companies. Targeted at the Malaysian and ASEAN business community for thought leadership and visibility.
• SEBA Awards (SME and Entrepreneurs Business Awards) An annual awards program organized by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia that recognizes and celebrates SMEs and entrepreneurs in Malaysia, including Northern Edition and Central Grand Awards events. Targeted at Malaysian SMEs and entrepreneurs seeking recognition.
• Package 1: Personality Interview A premium interview package featuring personality profiling of business leaders and entrepreneurs, priced at RM8,500. Targeted at business leaders seeking editorial brand coverage.
• Package 2: Brand Advertorial A brand-focused content package featuring advertorial content published in the magazine and website, priced at RM5,500. Targeted at businesses seeking brand visibility through editorial-style content.
• Package 3: Advertisement Option A standard advertising placement option for businesses seeking brand visibility, priced at RM5,000. Targeted at businesses seeking advertising exposure on the platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• SEBA Awards has recognized over 55+ companies in a single edition and has been running for 8+ years

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Business Network ClubmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 October 2024Landmark partnership to propel Malaysian business excellence, combining Business Network Club's networking capabilities with SEBA Awards recognition.
• Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia (MyPreneurship)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYayasan Usahawan Malaysia is the primary organizer of SEBA Awards, with The Asia Connects featuring extensively on the awards and affiliated entrepreneurs. This is a co-development partnership where YUM provides the platform and AC provides media coverage and event promotion.
• Xhale Asia (M) Sdn BhdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXhale Asia curates the SEBA Awards program in partnership with Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia.
• MaxismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaxis partnered with SEBA 2022 to introduce the Maxis Awards, recognizing outstanding Malaysian enterprises driving positive impact. Award included RM150,000 in solutions and cash to Food Aid Foundation.
• Standard Chartered SaadiqminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for SEBA 2022 Central Grand Awards.
• Sun Life MalaysiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for SEBA 2022 Central Grand Awards.
• Honda MalaysiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for SEBA 2022 Central Grand Awards.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• SME100 Awards (by iBCC Worldwide): Asia-focused SME ranking and awards program comparable in structure and target audience to SEBA Awards. Directly competes for SME nomination revenue and sponsor budgets in the same ASEAN markets.

Broad incumbents

• The Malaysian Reserve: Malaysian business newspaper covering SME and enterprise issues. Operates in the same competitive set for SME-focused advertising dollars and editorial brand partnerships.
• Forbes Asia: Global business media brand with regional Asia editions covering entrepreneurs and SMEs. Competes for the same premium advertiser and award-recognition positioning that Asia Connects targets with SEBA.
• The Edge Malaysia: Established Malaysian business and financial news publication with broader enterprise coverage. Competes with Asia Connects for premium brand advertorials and the Malaysian executive audience.
• BusinessToday Malaysia: Long-running Malaysian business weekly serving SME and corporate readers. Overlaps with Asia Connects on entrepreneur/brand storytelling and advertising packages in the same Malaysian market.

Direct peers

• Campaign Asia: Leading advertising and marketing media brand in Asia covering media buying, brand campaigns, and agency news. Competitor for the same enterprise advertising and event-sponsorship budgets in the region.
• SME Magazine Malaysia: Malaysia-focused SME business magazine that covers entrepreneurship, brand profiles, and advertorial content for SMEs — directly comparable to Asia Connects Magazine's editorial proposition and advertiser base.
• Marketing Magazine Asia: Regional advertising and marketing trade publication serving brands and agencies across ASEAN. Comparable to Asia Connects in its combined editorial/advertising and industry-events monetization model.
• ACN Newswire: Asia-Pacific press release distribution and corporate news platform serving SMEs and enterprises. Comparable distribution, advertiser base, and content-monetization model to Asia Connects.

Others

• Business Network Club (BNC): Malaysian B2B networking and events platform that signed a landmark partnership with SEBA Awards in 2024. Adjacent ecosystem player rather than a direct media competitor, useful as a benchmark for the events/networking segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theasiaconnects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theasiaconnects
• Instagraminstagram.com/theasiaconnects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The Asia Connects