3cat, a Malaysian platform that buys and sells used electronics, has raised an undisclosed amount of new funding in a Pre-Series A round to grow its retail stores, set up its own repair center, and expand its digital platform across Southeast Asia.
In a statement on Wednesday, 3cat said the funding round was supported by The Radical Fund, AEON, and returning investors Iterative, TA Ventures, and TheVentures.
With this new funding, 3cat plans to open nearly 100 stores across Malaysia and launch a fully equipped refurbishment center in Kuala Lumpur to repair and renew devices in-house.
The company is also introducing extra services like device protection, financing options, and mobile plans to keep customers coming back and improve overall business performance.
“Consumer trust is critical in the second-hand electronics industry, and Southeast Asia has lacked a reliable brand, with assured quality, for far too long,
“At 3cat, we’re building Malaysia’s most trusted omni channel platform for secondhand tech — with delightful online and offline experiences — that consumers deserve while reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste,” said Karl Loo, 3cat Co-founder.
Founded in 2023, 3cat was created to meet the growing demand for reliable, high-quality secondhand electronics in Southeast Asia. This market has often struggled with issues like unorganized sellers, bad customer service, and fake products.
In its first year, 3cat opened more than 20 physical stores, offering affordable and eco-friendly options for people who care about saving money and the environment.
The Radical Fund, one of the investors in this round, said 3cat’s mission fits well with the goals of building a circular economy where products are reused instead of thrown away.
“3cat is transforming how emerging markets approach electronics reuse—integrating digital scale with a strong focus on seamless, high-quality real-world experiences,
“Their model reduces e-waste, lowers carbon emissions, and democratizes access to high-quality secondhand devices,” said Alina Truhina, Managing Partner of The Radical Fund.
Malaysia’s second-hand smartphone market is expected to grow to $800 million by 2026, but it is still not as developed as in many other countries around the world.
3cat said its rapid traction—combined with deep founders’ experience across e-commerce, supply chain, and mobile retail, including multiple prior exits — positions it to lead the sector’s formalization in the region.
3cat also said it ultimately aims to establish Malaysia as a global hub for certified electronics processing and repair, targeting over 10,000 skilled repair jobs and a multi-billion-dollar export opportunity aligned with the national MADANI sustainability framework.
3cat is a Malaysian startup that wants to make secondhand tech the first choice for people.
The company buys used smartphones and other devices, fixes them up, and sells them through its online store and physical shops.
To make good-quality tech more affordable and eco-friendly, 3cat has grown from just one store to over 20 locations across the country.
Read more- PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay Team Up to Make Spending Easier for Tourists in Malaysia
