The Brunei royal family is the latest to be bit by the startup bug. BookDoc, a Malaysia-based healthcare tech startup, has raised an undisclosed amount in a seed round of funding led by Prince Abdul Qawi, a member of the Brunei royal family, besides other unnamed investors.
The startup will use the money raised to expand its workforce, fund the second phase of its technological development and strengthen the infrastructure to support regional growth. It has reportedly received the highest seed funding valuation as well as pre-seed funding valuation in the technology start-up history of Asia, a statement from BookDoc said.
“The record valuation of the seed round is a resounding endorsement of the execution track record of the team. Moreover, we have greater financial flexibility now to seek out long-term strategic investors which could complement our future business growth," said Dato’ Chevy Beh, founder of Book Doc.
The startup, run by Health4U Solutions Sdn Bhd, is said to have received a seven-digit sum, although it refused to divulge the figures. Queries sent by Techcircle.in in this regard did not elicit a response till the time of filing this report.
Founded in July 2015 by Dato' Chevy Beh and Joel Neoh, BookDoc is an online healthcare platform that connects patients and healthcare professionals. The platform links up those in need with those who can assist, anytime and anywhere, in which precious time is optimised for all parties, and the benefits of early access to care are realised. Currently present in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, BookDoc is planning to roll out its services in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines over the next few months.
Dato Chevy Beh is the former managing director of BP Healthcare Group and Joel Neoh is the founder of Groupon Malaysia and former CEO - Asia Pacific for Groupon.
In November 2015, dealstreetasia had reported that BookDoc was in advanced talks to close its seed round funding from a prominent investor and is likely to have the highest valuation for an Asia technology company.
In September 2015, BookDoc had raised an undisclosed amount in pre-seed round of funding. Although the company did not reveal the amount, it said that it was a seven-digit figure in US dollar, which valued the company at close to an eight-digit figure.
