A Milestone Decade: Celebrating 10 Years of iMotorbike

From humble beginnings and early fundraising challenges to regional expansion, iMotorbike reflects on the lessons, people and determination behind its first decade as it looks towards the next chapter.

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iMotorbike has hit a major milestone, celebrating 10 years of empowering riders, expanding its regional footprint, and transforming the pre-owned motorcycle market across Southeast Asia.

The 10th-anniversary milestone was celebrated at the company’s Glenmarie headquarters in Shah Alam, where Co-Founders Gil Carmo (CEO) and Sharmeen Looi (CMO) reflected on a decade of growth, the real hurdles of entrepreneurship, and the key moments that defined the brand’s journey. The moment were also joined together with the rest of team across Malaysia and Vietnam

The 10 year journey since 2016 wasn’t easy for Gil. Leaning into lessons learned while helping build powerhouse brands like Lazada and ShopBack, he emphasized that raw persistence, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace risk are what truly keep a company standing over the long haul. 

From Early Struggles to Building a Business

Reminiscing about iMotorbike’s early hustle, Gil recalled working with bare-bones resources, starting with a far-from-perfect Weebly site. Yet, that basic setup, paired with a globally targeted Facebook page, was enough to spark early interest and gain investor traction. 

Securing funding, however, was a relentless grind. After months of networking and cold outreach, Gil also endured continuous rejections from Shark Tank before finally snagging a last-minute call for an audition.

That 16-month grind finally paid off in a big way, resulting in a US$2.6 million funding round that gave iMotorbike the path it needed to scale. This milestone captured the reality of the company’s journey: true growth demands grit, particularly during slow periods filled with uncertainty. 

Beyond this, Gil points to peer mentorship as a key driver, highlighting discussions with tech leaders like Carousell CEO Quek Siu Rui that provided valuable perspective on steering a high-growth startup.

Over the years, iMotorbike’s business model continued to adapt. What started as a service platform evolved into a classifieds portal, before shifting toward a tech-driven retail model, and now, a strong focus on AI. Along the way, changing market dynamics and new opportunities helped drive its expansion across the region.

Building a Stronger Team and Company Culture

Alongside its business growth, iMotorbike focused heavily on building a solid organizational foundation and culture. The early days were defined by trial, error, rapid pivots, and constant shift. 

As the company matured, structured guidelines and clearer processes were introduced, providing stability without sacrificing the agile, adaptable spirit required in a fast-moving market. Open communication and employee well-being remain core priorities, fostering a supportive environment where team members feel heard, connected, and driven.

iMotorbike’s impressive trajectory hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, the company earned a spot on the prestigious Forbes ‘Asia 100 To Watch’ list, alongside standout startups like Applecrumby, LiveIn, and Paywatch, and secured backing from a firm tied to tech mogul Reid Hoffman. 

That same year, iMotorbike partnered with the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC), backed by Selangor MB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, to empower youth technical education across the state. 

Adding even greater weight to its state-level backing, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) joined iMotorbike’s Series A funding round, making iMotorbike the very first startup to receive direct investment from PNSB.

Beyond business, the platform actively gives back through its ‘$1forall’ CSR campaign, annual community events like the annual Merdeka Ride, and trade-in collaborations with Boon Siew Honda and Royal Enfield. 

The Next Decade for iMotorbike

Today, iMotorbike continues to expand its regional presence across Malaysia and Vietnam. From its headquarters in Glenmarie, Selangor, the company has broadened its local footprint with showrooms in Penang and Johor.

Furthermore, a strategic partnership with a leading oil and gas company has enabled the brand to establish multiple inspection centers nationwide, bringing its services directly to riders well beyond major urban hubs.

This expansion has been guided by operational needs, with physical hubs helping to improve turnaround times, maintain refurbishment quality and better connect motorcycle supply with local demand.

Over the past decade, iMotorbike has worked to make buying and selling pre-owned motorcycles more accessible while strengthening its presence in the regional market. As the company enters its next chapter, the focus remains on building on its existing foundation, improving its operations and pursuing further opportunities across Southeast Asia.

Reflecting on the milestone, Gil said: “Ten years down and done with a solid foundation. The next ten are ours to build & conquer. Let’s ride!”

Meanwhile, Sharmeen also shared: “Crossing the ten-year mark is a true testament to the dedication of every single team member at iMotorbike, as well as the constant trust of our customers and partners. We look forward to powering through many more decades ahead.”

For iMotorbike, reaching this ten-year milestone is far more than a celebration of past wins, it marks the official starting line for an ambitious new chapter. Powered by a decade of hard-earned grit, technology shifts, and regional expansion, the team stands ready to keep accelerating into the future of two-wheeler mobility.