A financial technology startup co-founded by the owner of Fortune magazine plans to widen the reach of its Southeast Asian remittance platform through acquisitions.
Lightnet, which describes its blockchain-based service as quicker and cheaper compared with traditional banks, may raise fresh capital to pour into purchases, said chairman Chatchaval Jiaravanon. The company announced a US$31 million funding round last week.
“Acquisitions will be the quickest way for growth in a fast-changing environment,” Mr Chatchaval, 57, said in an interview. He’s a member of the billionaire family that controls Charoen Pokphand Group, one of the biggest Thai conglomerates. He bought Fortune magazine and its related businesses for $150 million in 2018.
Chatchaval will face intense competition in the blockchain arena from a host of startups as well as some of Asia’s largest technology firms and traditional financial institutions.
Bangkok-based Lightnet is initially targeting millions of underbanked migrant workers in Southeast Asia, a remittance market it estimates at $150 billion. Mr Chatchaval said he plans to open offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and China -- adding to current footprints in Thailand and Vietnam -- and double staff strength to 120.
Lightnet’s financing round was led by companies including United Overseas Bank Ltd’s venture unit and Hanwha Investment & Securities Co. Mr Chatchaval said he wants his platform to process at least $50 billion worth of annual transactions in three years.