The Venture

MARQETR was founded in 2020 by Mawarni Adam, after two decades of building brands. The startup company, the fulfillment of an ambition for Mawarni to work on building an internet marketplace platform, has allowed her to work with innovative technological tools and amazing talents from all over the world.

Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the company raised its first external capital in October 2021 through an equity crowdfunding (ECF) platform, attracting both experienced and novice investors to her fledgling startup, and giving it the boost to continue to grow and scale.

In September 2023, as part of the lean startup methodology's "build-measure-learn" model, the company naturally evolved and pivoted its business strategy, while maintaining some consistency in the market and target audience strategy as when it first started.

After almost three years since its inception and a shift of focus to the North American market for fundraising initiatives and basic operations, MARQETR is now a content production and marketing company that puts Asian and Asian-American women who are innovators, changemakers and brand builders, at the heart of every story that it creates, celebrates, and discovers. The company tells stories that they love, by giving a nod to the past and present, whilst shining a light on the path forward for these trailblazing women.

In December 2023, a US-based firm invested and simultaneously acquired MARQETR for more than 50% of shares. This was when Mawarni's role within the company began to change to more of an advisory role, and where she eventually exited in February 2024. She has since returned to a corporate role, currently based in Asia.

MARQETR 2021 Video

This was the venture's first video, introducing the concept and benefits of the platform. It was used as a marketing tool for users, as well as an informative tool for fundraising pitches to investors and presentations to partners.

More videos were developed afterwards, as more features were added to the platform.

MARQETR Pitch Deck

This was the venture's first investor pitch deck from 2021 which introduced the concept and benefits of the platform. It went through several iterations since then, which led to the latest investment and the eventual acquisition in Q4 2023.

To help and inspire future entrepreneurs, Mawarni chose to share some parts of the deck here.

Pitch Deck

MARQETR was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to be a force for good. Just like any other startup, it has its growing pains and will shift and pivot with industry and consumer preferences. I believe no matter the changes and challenges, it will stay true to its purpose and strive to make a difference.

- Mawarni Adam

Past Ventures

From 2008 to 2012, Mawarni was focused on building and growing Magnoliya Gifts (fka Marvelous Gifts), a gift-creation service and marketplace, and Geboo, an organic-based baby cloth diapers and clothing brand.

Magnoliya's corporate clients include Hilton Kuala Lumpur, PNB Darby Park, MEPS, Crown Plaza Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Nomura Asset Management, and BNP Paribas.

Whereas Geboo was retailed at five of Parkson's elite stores and Zalora in Malaysia, and included boutique retailers such as Little Green Planet and a collaboration with Sereni & Shentel.