By RAHIMI YUNUS / Pic By TMR File

CELCOM Axiata Bhd has partnered Koble Inc to become the first operator in Asia that provides digital business-to-business (B2B) matching solutions.

Celcom via Axiata Group Bhd’s enterprise services arm, Xpand, will market the platform together with Koble in the Asian market — particularly across Axiata’s footprints.

“Our focus has been increasingly shifted to the enterprise segment. We have done well, but we want to do better and gain more traction.

“Koble is the right platform for us to get into the segment where it has not been addressed before,” Axiata Business Services Sdn Bhd CEO Asri Hassan Sabri said at the launch of Koble in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Koble, is powered by artificial intelligence that enables professionals to discover, connect and facilitate business deals with buyers and suppliers around the world, particularly for a B2B matchmaking between small and medium enterprises and bigger corporations.

Koble founder and CEO Fabrice Saporito said the total number of users in Malaysia has grown to 200 companies since the exclusive licensing agreement was inked last month.

The company has also set up its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Kuala Lumpur following its partnership with Celcom.

Launched in 2016, the Bostonbased firm now has over 50,000 companies using the platform in the US including 50% of the Fortunes 500 companies.

Saporito said the company plans to expand its customer base to 1.7 million users in Asia by 2021.

Koble and Axiata are planning to launch Koble in Indonesia and Thailand by yearend, and the platform will eventually be made available across Axiata’s footprints such as in Nepal and Bangladesh, as well as through the Qorus Alliance, a consortium of mobile operators managed by Xpand.

In Malaysia, Koble is offered in three plans, namely Basic which is free-of-charge, Starter (at RM50 monthly per user) and Pro (RM80 monthly per user).

Celcom customers will enjoy a 50% discount for the Koble Starter and Pro plans. Those who sign up for the Pro version by Nov 6 this year will get a free subscription for the first three months.

Saporito also said a Google survey commissioned by the company in July 2018 revealed that Koble offers good value following its cheaper price, compared to the cost of between RM300 and RM900 that Malaysian business operators are paying for a qualified lead.

Koble is available on the web and via its mobile application.