Gobi Partners

'Azarol Faizi is the Founder & CEO of Bateriku Group of Companies, Malaysia’s leading Vehicle Ownership Experience Service Provider' Azarol Faizi is a Malaysian entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO for Bateriku Group of Companies – a Vehicle Ownership Experience platform that provides breakdown and maintenance solutions directly to vehicle owners via technology and gig economy. Today, there are 3 companies under Bateriku Group of Companies namely Bateriku (M) Sdn. Bhd., Akademi Bateriku Sdn. Bhd. and BPlaz (M) Sdn. Bhd. Azarol previously founded Astra Manufacturing, a battery manufacturing factory that primarily supplies automotive and industrial batteries to OEM and REM companies such as Proton, Perodua, Mitsubishi, Petronas and Telekom. Azarol’s vision was to ultimately make it easy and seamless for vehicle owners to receive solutions and support to anything and everything that is related to their vehicle. He wanted to create a sustainable ecosystem of automotive product and service providers that prioritize awesome customer experience, every time, all the time. Inspired by the tech disruption created by MyTaxi and Uber in Malaysia, Azarol saw the gap in the market for battery replacement for vehicle owners. In 2014, he pivoted his 7-person team to establish Bateriku.com – an online platform that enable vehicle owners to find on-demand solution to that dreadful #battkong experience via its well trained and equipped crowdsourced technicians or BHero. In 2015, Bateriku.com started to build a network of Dealers under the ‘BPreneur’ Program to establish its unique selling proposition of Nationwide Warranty Assistance. The BPreneur program has enabled the opening of more than 150 Bateriku retail outlets or Pitstops nationwide including in Sabah and Sarawak. In 2017, Bateriku launched its Bateriku Customer App for a seamless after-sales customer experience that complements existing touchpoints of 24/7 hotline number, web booking, whatsapp and social media enquiries. In 2019, the group expanded its on-demand battery solution by offering full-fledged Roadside Assistance to vehicle owners under BPlaz. The solutions offered include towing, tyre replacement, fuel top-up and car lock-out services. The services are fulfilled by either its BHero network or workshop partners under the ‘BBuddy’ program. In the same year, Bateriku was appointed as Etiqa Insurance’s service provider to serve Etiqa’s 2.5Million insurance subscribers. To date, Bateriku has served close to 1.2 Million vehicle owners and has shared more than RM12 Million in commission payouts within its ecosystem partners. The group reached multiple milestones in 2022 when it was appointed by Allianz Malaysia to serve Allianz’s 3.5 Million subscribers. In the same year, Persatuan Insurans Malaysia (PIAM) also appointed Bateriku as a licensed insurance agent. The biggest milestone for the group happened on May 22 with the launching of Bateriku’s very own automotive product range under the Astra brand by Bateriku.com. Since the introduction of Astra batteries, Bateriku has managed to sell more than 200,000 units of batteries nationwide. More recently, the Astra brand has also introduced exclusive Astra wiper blades to the Malaysian market since April 2023. Azarol is determined to bring in more fast-moving products under the Astra brand for the benefit of not just vehicle owners, but also to its ecosystem partners. Today, the group has built an ecosystem comprising close to 1,000 BHeros, 100 BPreneurs and approximately 3,000 BBuddys to fulfil the growing demand for battery and roadside assistance solutions. Bateriku today collaborates with prominent brands including Allianz, Etiqa, Socar, Gocar, Touch & Go, Setel and Grab by providing multiple value-added offerings to respective partner’s ecosystem. In January 2023, Bateriku established Akademi Bateriku – a training centre that primarily aims to streamline on-the-ground deliverables to its growing ecosystem. Akademi Bateriku received endorsement from HRDF for its multi-level certification programs that includes vehicles systems troubleshooting as well as EV and Hybrid systems. Concurrently, Bateriku also established its first BGarage – a workshop model designed and operated by Bateriku to accommodate customers with non-related battery issues such as alternator and starter issues. The establishment of BGarage value-adds to the overall customer experience for Bateriku’s existing and potential customers. Recently, Bateriku signed a Memorandum of Contract with TowMe Asia – a roadside assistance company based in Singapore to provide cross-border solutions to travellers to/from Malaysia and Singapore respectively. In its pipeline, the group is looking to solidify its position by digitizing the 3 verticals of Battery, Breakdown and Bengkel into an inclusive automotive digital platform called ‘Bazaar.’ Enabled by its priority on customer experience and the advancement of technology, the group has evolved from a brick-and-mortar battery reseller to providing real solutions very much needed by vehicle owners, not just in Malaysia and Singapore but soon to other ASEAN countries.

Deliveree Logistics is a technology platform based in Bangkok, Thailand, that offers a mobile and web application for booking and managing road cargo transport across Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Founded in 2015, the platform connects clients with a network of approximately 100,000 active commercial trucks and vehicles, facilitating both full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) deliveries. Deliveree aims to optimize logistics by reducing costs and minimizing cargo capacity waste by efficiently matching excess cargo capacity with customer demand on a real-time basis. The company positions itself as a leader in the on-demand logistics market, striving to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cargo transport services in the region.

Deliveree Logistics is a technology platform based in Bangkok, Thailand, that offers a mobile and web application for booking and managing road cargo transport across Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Founded in 2015, the platform connects clients with a network of approximately 100,000 active commercial trucks and vehicles, facilitating both full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) deliveries. Deliveree aims to optimize logistics by reducing costs and minimizing cargo capacity waste by efficiently matching excess cargo capacity with customer demand on a real-time basis. The company positions itself as a leader in the on-demand logistics market, striving to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cargo transport services in the region.

Airlift Technologies, established in 2019 and headquartered in Lahore, Pakistan, operates a mobile application that facilitates passenger transportation by connecting them with bus-owners. The platform enables commuters to travel between residential and commercial hubs within the city. In 2020, Airlift expanded its services to include last-mile delivery, offering swift (within 30 minutes) delivery of essential items such as food, household supplies, and electronics across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. Backed by First Round Capital, Airlift aims to promote self-empowerment through technology-driven logistics solutions that ensure safe, reliable, and affordable access to necessities, thereby encouraging shared mobility and affordable mass transport.

Hangzhou Xunyi Network Technology Co., Ltd. is a technology company founded in 2015 and based in Hangzhou, China. It specializes in drone logistics, offering on-demand delivery services for mail, packages, food, and medicine. Xunyi operates the first drone delivery network in China, positioning itself as a leader in the rapidly evolving field of drone delivery solutions.

Deliveree Logistics is a technology platform based in Bangkok, Thailand, that offers a mobile and web application for booking and managing road cargo transport across Southeast Asia, specifically in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Founded in 2015, the platform connects clients with a network of approximately 100,000 active commercial trucks and vehicles, facilitating both full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) deliveries. Deliveree aims to optimize logistics by reducing costs and minimizing cargo capacity waste by efficiently matching excess cargo capacity with customer demand on a real-time basis. The company positions itself as a leader in the on-demand logistics market, striving to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cargo transport services in the region.

Dianwoda is a logistics company that specializes in distribution and short-distance delivery services, catering to both commercial and individual customers. Founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of the online-to-offline service provider Dianwoba, the company later integrated its operations with its parent organization. Dianwoda offers on-demand delivery solutions that utilize a network of crowdsource delivery contractors, ensuring a one-hour same-day delivery service. This capability enables businesses to address unexpected demand efficiently while allowing users to receive their preferred products from restaurants and retailers in major cities across China.

Dianwoda is a logistics company that specializes in distribution and short-distance delivery services, catering to both commercial and individual customers. Founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of the online-to-offline service provider Dianwoba, the company later integrated its operations with its parent organization. Dianwoda offers on-demand delivery solutions that utilize a network of crowdsource delivery contractors, ensuring a one-hour same-day delivery service. This capability enables businesses to address unexpected demand efficiently while allowing users to receive their preferred products from restaurants and retailers in major cities across China.

Tuniu Corporation is a China-based online leisure travel company that offers a wide selection of packaged tours, including organized and self-guided itineraries, along with travel-related services for leisure travelers. Its offerings cover tickets to attractions, visa applications, accommodations, insurance, car rental, and hotel bookings, plus air, train, and bus tickets and advertising services to tourism boards and bureaus. The company serves customers through its online platform and mobile apps, a primary call center in Nanjing and regional centers in Suqian, and various offline retail locations in China. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Nanjing, it positions itself as a one-stop platform for Chinese consumers seeking leisure travel products and services, combining digital channels with an offline service network.

Tuniu Corporation is a China-based online leisure travel company that offers a wide selection of packaged tours, including organized and self-guided itineraries, along with travel-related services for leisure travelers. Its offerings cover tickets to attractions, visa applications, accommodations, insurance, car rental, and hotel bookings, plus air, train, and bus tickets and advertising services to tourism boards and bureaus. The company serves customers through its online platform and mobile apps, a primary call center in Nanjing and regional centers in Suqian, and various offline retail locations in China. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Nanjing, it positions itself as a one-stop platform for Chinese consumers seeking leisure travel products and services, combining digital channels with an offline service network.