Media OutReach
F88 officially lists 8.26 million shares on UPCoM
With a reference price of VNĐ634,900 (US$24) per share on its first trading day, F88 now holds the highest market price among all listed companies across Vietnam’s three stock exchanges, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its journey to standardise corporate governance and tap into the domestic capital market.
This milestone marks the first time a pawnbroking enterprise in Viet Nam has been publicly listed and traded on the stock exchange. Beyond a significant step toward transparency, F88’s listing sets a new operational benchmark for the legal pawn sector in particular and the alternative finance industry in general – a sector that has long faced negative perceptions and limited access to capital.
On May 6, 2025, F88 was officially recognised by the State Securities Commission as a public company and deemed eligible to register for share trading in accordance with legal regulations. At the time of listing, F88’s charter capital stood at over VNĐ82.6 billion, corresponding to more than 8.26 million outstanding shares. The company has also received approval to issue bonus shares from share premium reserves at a ratio of 1,200 per cent, which will increase its charter capital to over VNĐ1.1 trillion. This is an internal capital restructuring activity that does not dilute shareholder equity and is aimed at preparing for the company’s next phase of growth, aligned with its operational scale.
“The official listing on UPCoM is not only a development milestone for F88 but also a pioneering move, introducing a new standard of transparency for Vietnam’s alternative finance industry. This is a crucial step in enhancing our ability to access public capital, serving our long-term business goals. F88 clearly understands that entering the capital market is not just about transparency and regulatory oversight – it also serves as a financial catalyst to help us scale, upgrade operations, and get closer to our future target of listing on HoSE,” said Phung Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Board of Directors at F88.
According to a special report published by FiinGroup in June 2025, Vietnam’s pawnbroking market had an estimated outstanding loan balance of VNĐ200 trillion (approximately $8 billion) in 2024. Of this amount, “new-generation” pawn enterprises like F88 currently hold a market share of about 3.2%, indicating substantial room for future growth. Another notable trend is that while the number of traditional pawnshops is declining, new-generation pawn outlets – which integrate technology, centralised management and diverse services – are expanding rapidly.
To date, F88 operates 888 stores across 34 provinces and cities, accounting for around 70 per cent of all new-generation pawn outlets in Vietnam. The company aims to reach 1,000 transaction points by 2026 and expand to 2,000 stores by 2030. In addition to secured lending, F88 is also accelerating its growth in microinsurance and agent banking services. Through its strategic partnership with Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MBBank), F88 is gradually developing a model of “modern financial transaction offices” that provide essential services such as customer identification, deposits/withdrawals, fund transfers, loan referrals, and collection/payment services.
F88 is also rapidly pushing digital transformation through its MyF88 platform – a mobile application that recorded over 105,000 online loan customers just two months after launch. By 2026, the company targets to have 80 per cent of transactions conducted digitally, aiming to optimise operational efficiency and enhance customer experience.
For 2025, F88 has set a revenue growth target of 33 per cent. In the first half of the year, the company recorded VNĐ1.74 trillion in revenue, up 30 per cent year-on-year. Of this amount, revenue from lending activities reached VNĐ1.5 trillion, growing 28 per cent. Insurance and other services generated VNĐ199.6 billion and VNĐ6 billion, respectively, increasing by 45 and 360 per cent thanks to broader product coverage and effective cross-selling. Total disbursement value reached VNĐ7.1 trillion, up 36 per cent over the same period, while the net write-off ratio (net charge-offs to average outstanding loans) remained at 2.35 per cent. These results brought the company VNĐ321 billion in pre-tax profit – more than triple the figure from the same period last year.
Backed by a sustainable operating platform, transparent financials, and a clear digitalization strategy, F88 is steadily strengthening its governance capabilities, refining capital structure, and standardising operations to meet public company standards. The official UPCoM listing represents not only a transformation in capital structure but also reaffirms F88’s pioneering role in shaping a transparent, regulated, and legally compliant alternative finance market where the public can access trustworthy and civilised financial services.
Hashtag: #F88
https://f88.vn/englishThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About F88:
Founded in 2013, F88 is a pioneering enterprise in Vietnam’s alternative finance sector, serving customer segments underserved by traditional banks. With a mission to expand access to legal, transparent, and convenient financial services, F88 has steadily developed a modern financial agency model that integrates three core services: secured lending, microinsurance, and basic banking services.
Over its development journey, F88 has successfully raised capital from reputable institutional investors such as Mekong Capital, Vietnam Oman Investment, and Granite Oak – enabling the company to grow in both capital and operational scale. As of 2025, F88 operates a network of 888 transaction points in 34 provinces and cities, making it the largest distribution network in Vietnam’s alternative finance sector.
F88 has earned recognition through a series of prestigious domestic and international awards, including being named a top workplace in Asia by Great Place to Work. It is also the first and only alternative finance company in Viet Nam to receive the Gold-level Client Protection Certificate (CPC) – the world’s first standard for protecting financial service users. In April 2025, FiinRatings announced it had upgraded F88’s credit rating outlook from “Stable” to “Positive,” citing strong improvements in asset quality and the company’s continuously strengthened market leadership position.
Media OutReach
SCOPE’s Ultra-Luxury Residential Performance Underscores Strong Investor Confidence in Thailand’s Prime Market
Despite global headwinds including escalating trade disputes, rising commodity prices, and shifting monetary policies, Thailand’s prime residential market remains structurally strong. Bangkok, in particular, continues to attract foreign buyers seeking long-term residential assets that combine lifestyle quality with capital stability. Demand in this segment has been driven less by short-term speculation, and more by purchasers prioritizing quality, identity, and long-term livability.
Commenting on the market outlook, Mr. Yongyutt Chaipromprasith, Chief Executive Officer of SCOPE Company Limited, said: “Thailand offers exceptional value when compared with global cities, not only in pricing but also in quality of life, project standards, and long-term livability. Many international investors view Thai ultra-luxury residences as a safe haven asset, supported by competitive rental yields, lower holding costs, and a lifestyle proposition that few markets can replicate.”
Among its flagship developments, SCOPE Langsuan recorded over 90% sales completion within 2025, reflecting strong demand from discerning buyers. The project’s success highlights a clear shift in buyer behavior: ultra-luxury purchasers are increasingly focused on authenticity, design integrity, and long-term residential value rather than speculative gains.
Central to this appeal is SCOPE’s collaboration with internationally acclaimed designer Thomas Juul-Hansen, whose portfolio includes prominent residential development in New York, notably along the iconic “Millionaire’s Row.” By engaging designers of this caliber, SCOPE reinforces its role as a developer of globally competitive, non-replicable residential projects, rather than locally derivative offerings.
This approach further emphasizes the “value for money” proposition of Thailand’s luxury market. Achieving equivalent design pedigree and spatial quality in global financial capitals would require significantly higher development and acquisition costs.
This philosophy guides every stage of development — from spatial planning and material selection to service design and community environments — ensuring that residences are built to support genuine, long-term living.
From curated common spaces designed as well-being hubs, to personalized residential services and collaborations with world-class architects and designers, SCOPE aims to establish new benchmarks for service-driven, timeless luxury in Thailand’s residential market. This evolution reflects a broader industry shift from competing on physical specifications alone to competing on holistic living experiences.
Looking ahead, Thailand’s ultra-luxury real estate market is transitioning from price-based competition toward differentiation driven by design excellence, development standards, service quality, and long-term livability. This shift strengthens the country’s positioning on the global stage and reinforces ultra-luxury residential assets as stable, long-term investments amid ongoing global uncertainty.
Hashtag: #Scope #Scopecollection
https://scopecollection.com/
https://www.facebook.com/scopecollection?locale=th_TH
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – In an era where investors are more selective than ever, SMEs can no longer rely on vision, passion, or static pitch decks alone. The new rule of fundraising is clear: No Data, No Talk.
This message took centre stage at the Data Fundraising Masterclass (12–14 December 2025) organised by BizPal by Simplyfi™, where close to 80 SME owners, founders, and senior leaders gathered to learn how technology, branding, and corporate finance must be integrated into a single, data-driven narrative to unlock capital and sustainable growth.
The three-day masterclass was designed to help SMEs move beyond siloed decision-making. Participants were guided through structuring their business models, identifying value drivers, and translating strategy into investor-ready financial narratives using CapitalOS — BizPal’s data-driven corporate finance platform that consolidates operational, strategic, and financial data into a coherent dashboard designed to speak the language of investors.
“I thank the team for their tireless preparation for the masterclass. Our mission is simple — SMEs should never walk into a funding conversation unsure of their numbers,” said Ms. Anya Tan, CEO of BizPal by Simplyfi™.
Rather than treating technology, brand, and finance as separate initiatives, CapitalOS demonstrated how these elements work together to form one credible, measurable story of enterprise value.
Technology as a Measurable Growth Strategy
As part of the programme, guest speaker Mr. Chris Teng, Sales Director of FSBM Holdings Berhad, shared insights on the role of technology in enterprise scalability.
“Every business today needs a clear technology blueprint — not just to operate efficiently, but to attract investors. Technology is the foundation of scalability. When you can demonstrate how your tech investments drive data, efficiency, and market access, your enterprise value naturally grows.”
This session reinforced a core principle of data fundraising: technology only creates value when it produces measurable outcomes. Within CapitalOS, participants learned how technology investments can be translated into operational metrics and long-term financial impact — moving technology from a backend function to a valuation driver.
Turning Brand and IP into Recognised Assets
In another session, Mr. Tee Lin Yik, CEO and Co-founder of Tee IP Sdn Bhd, addressed the growing importance of brand and intellectual property (IP) valuation in fundraising.
“Your marketing, design, and digital assets are not just expenses — they represent intangible value. When structured properly, these can be recognised as brand assets, contributing directly to enterprise valuation.”
Participants explored how branding and IP, when properly documented and governed, can be captured within CapitalOS as value-creating assets, strengthening credibility during fundraising discussions and due diligence.
Finance, Governance, and the Investor Lens
Concluding Day 2, Mr. Dylan Woon, Director of Sparta Haus, highlighted the importance of live data, governance, and transparency from an investor’s perspective.
“In the modern business environment, static reports are no longer enough. Investors expect live dashboards and clear governance trails. Platforms like CapitalOS help SMEs manage and present their data dynamically — aligning business strategy with financial credibility.”
Through guided exercises, participants learned to view their businesses from an investor’s lens — understanding how data consistency, governance discipline, and financial clarity directly influence valuation and funding decisions.
From Learning to Real Conversations
Beyond theory, the programme delivered tangible outcomes. Participants were guided to develop investor-ready pitch decks using AI-assisted tools, with many completing their decks during the three-day programme.
Several selected participants presented their pitch decks to investors and judging panelists on Day 3, leading to follow-up discussions and early expressions of interest.
Soft Launch of Global Mentorship Exchange (GMx)
Wrapping up Day 3 of the Data Fundraising Masterclass, BizPal also announced the soft launch of the Global Mentorship Exchange (GMx), a strategic ecosystem initiative designed to complement CapitalOS by connecting experienced business leaders with high-potential entrepreneurs.
The initiative is built on a central premise: the greatest untapped resource in business is experience. GMx aims to make this experience more accessible by providing a structured platform where mentors, entrepreneurs, and investors can engage through data-backed evaluation, technology-enabled assessment, and transparent benchmarking.
GMx is positioned as a global exchange where experienced founders and industry leaders support emerging businesses not only through guidance, but through measurable insights aligned with investor expectations. By integrating mentorship with structured evaluation frameworks, GMx seeks to help high-potential SMEs gain visibility, credibility, and readiness for the global stage.
According to the organisers, the soft launch marks the first phase of a broader effort to formalise mentorship, recognition, and capital access into a single ecosystem — enabling experience, data, and technology to work together in supporting sustainable enterprise growth.
Validated by Participants
The impact of the masterclass was reflected in post-programme feedback:
- Over 80% of respondents rated their likelihood to recommend the programme 8–10 on the Net Promoter Score (NPS) scale
- Participants rated the programme an average of 4.52 out of 5 stars for value received relative to investment
- The results highlight strong validation from SME owners on the programme’s relevance, practicality, and return on learning
Beyond the Masterclass
To ensure continuity and execution beyond the workshop, all participants have been invited to an upcoming online coaching session, where they will further strengthen their teams’ hands-on capability in using CapitalOS.
For SMEs interested in joining future cohorts, BizPal by Simplyfi™ is accepting early expressions of interest for upcoming Data Fundraising programmes in 2026.
Interested businesses can:
– Register interest for 2026 programmes: [email protected]
– Schedule a complimentary CapitalOS consultation: [email protected]
One System, One Story
The masterclass demonstrated a clear framework:
- Technology generates data
- Brand amplifies enterprise value
- Corporate finance translates strategy into investor language
CapitalOS ties these elements together, enabling SMEs to move from intuition-led decision-making to data-backed, investor-ready positioning.
Through its CapitalOS methodology, BizPal by Simplyfi™ is helping canvASEAN SMEs transition from intuition-led decision-making to data-backed, investor-ready businesses — proving that in today’s capital market, the conversation begins with data, or it doesn’t begin at all.
Hashtag: #NoDataNoTalk #DataFundraising #InvestorReady #CapitalReadiness #FinTech #BusinessValuation #ASEANSMEs
https://simplyfi.co/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplyfi-co/
https://www.facebook.com/simplyfi.sg
https://www.instagram.com/simplyfi.co
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About BizPal by Simplyfi™
BizPal by Simplyfi™ empowers ASEAN SMEs to become investor-ready through data-driven corporate finance solutions. Its flagship platform, CapitalOS, consolidates operational, strategic, and financial data into a unified system that speaks the language of investors. By integrating technology, brand, and finance into one measurable narrative, BizPal helps SMEs transition from intuition-led decision-making to data-backed growth strategies.
Media OutReach
IIMAKER Speaks at 2026 Chongli Forum: Defining the “Soul” and “Threshold” of Game Content Creation in the AI-Native Era
With the rapid development of Generative AI (AIGC) technology, the global gaming and interactive content industry is undergoing an unprecedented productivity revolution. From the automatic generation of characters and scenes to the batch production and precise delivery of marketing materials, AI is drastically reducing the marginal cost of content creation and distribution. Simultaneously, a core question is becoming increasingly prominent: As tools become ubiquitous, how can products avoid homogenization? How can enterprises build unique brand value and competitive barriers that transcend the technology itself? This is not only an issue for the gaming industry but also a “soul-searching” question that all AI-native application fields must confront.
Regarding the rise of “one-person companies,” Wei Tianrun pointed out that AI indeed significantly lowers the threshold from idea to execution, smoothing over the resource-intensive and highly specialized barriers inherent in traditional creation. For example, leveraging its AI toolchain, IIMAKER can compress the production cycle for marketing materials – which originally took weeks and required cross-team collaboration – down to just a few hours, while also enabling rapid localization of content for multiple global markets. However, he simultaneously emphasized that AI also raises new thresholds: Firstly, the threshold for deep insight and top-level design. AI can optimize click-through rates but cannot replace humans in understanding the subcultural emotions and unspoken needs of player communities. This demands stronger cultural sensitivity and sociological thinking from teams. Secondly, the new threshold of compliance and ethics. Issues like copyright and data security associated with AIGC require entrepreneurs to master an entirely new system of norms and regulations.
When discussing how to inject “soul” into AI-native products, Wei Tianrun elaborated on IIMAKER’s core philosophy – “Empowerment, Not Replacement.” He stated that all the company’s technological development serves one goal: to reduce technical friction and unleash creator potential, not to let AI dominate the creative process. “AI is the most powerful ‘brush’ in the creator’s hand, but the one holding the brush will always be the creator themselves.” IIMAKER strives to be the most trusted “first stop” and “spiritual home” for creators entering the AI-native creative era. Its brand distinction lies not in possessing any single, top-tier, isolated AI technology, but in its profound understanding and systematic empowerment of the entire “interactive content creation” process.
Addressing industry concerns that AIGC might lead to homogenization of community content, Wei Tianrun introduced IIMAKER’s “proactive shaping” strategy. The company encourages and protects truly original content imbued with a human soul through a multi-pronged approach: building an AI tool library containing diverse stylistic models, deliberately promoting innovative content within its algorithmic recommendations, establishing an anti-plagiarism content fingerprinting system, and setting up honor and economic incentive systems centered around “creative originality” and “emotional impact.” He emphasized that IIMAKER’s ultimate goal is to catalyze the “from 0 to 0.1” spark of original ideas, while using AI to efficiently solve the “from 1 to 100” problem of scaling.
Finally, Wei Tianrun offered a sincere reminder to young entrepreneurs in the AI field: the most easily underestimated cost is the “Alignment Cost” – namely, the cost of aligning with AI tool intent, the cost of connecting with real market value, and the management cost of internal team cognitive transformation. These are often (implicit) and substantial. Conversely, the part most irreplaceable by AI is precisely the ability to “Ask the Right Questions” – discovering and defining those unmet, profound human needs and pain points will always be the most fundamental starting point for innovation.
Hashtag: #IIMAKER
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Chongli Forum
The China Chongli Forum is a technology and industrial innovation dialogue platform grounded in real industry scenarios. Leveraging Chongli’s unique ice-snow ecology and open spaces, it gathers young entrepreneurs, technology enterprises, investment institutions, and cultural talents, aiming to promote cross-border collaboration and long-term value creation. This year’s agenda focused on cutting-edge areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and the green economy.
About IIMAKER
IIMAKER is an AI-powered game and interactive content company built on the core concept of “Maker.” With game publishing as its current business cornerstone, the company is dedicated to empowering UGC (User-Generated Content) communities through its self-developed AI toolchain, significantly enhancing the efficiency of content generation, asset production, and optimization. Its long-term vision is to build an AI-native interactive content platform that reduces the overall friction of turning imagination into reality, ultimately working towards a future where “everyone can make a world.”
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