Booking Platform FunNow Launches IPO! Surpasses 10 Million Users, Expands to 7 Markets — This Strategy Attracts Investments from NEC and Wistron

FunNow Group, a lifestyle and entertainment booking platform operating across seven major markets in Greater Southeast Asia—including Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Hong Kong—announced today (the 5th) that it has signed a stock listing advisory agreement with Taishin Securities, formally initiating its capital market strategy. In recent years, through cross-border mergers and acquisitions, platform integration, and the application of AI technology, FunNow Group has expanded its operations significantly, with overseas market revenue now surpassing 50%. The company aims to leverage its entry into Taiwan’s capital markets to accelerate the development of an internationally competitive new-economy platform enterprise.

The FunNow Group encompasses the instant booking platform FunNow, the Southeast Asian restaurant time-slot booking platform Eatigo, and the family experience booking platform Niceday. By leveraging AI-driven digital services, the group integrates dining, accommodation, entertainment, and leisure experiences to build a cross-market, one-stop lifestyle and entertainment booking ecosystem.

Currently, FunNow operates in seven major markets: Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. It connects over 16,000 partner merchants and serves more than 10 million users. Partnered brands include The Mandarin Oriental Taipei, brands under Taipei Marriott Hotel and Grand Hyatt Taipei, as well as major dining and hospitality groups such as Wattana, FamilyMart International Dining, Hutong BBQ, and Hanchao Cuisine.

Overseas Revenue Exceeds 50%? Cross-Border M&A Drives Scale Economies

Chen Ting-Kuan, Co-Founder and CEO of FunNow Group, stated that the group’s core strength lies in transcending single-market limitations by targeting the Greater Southeast Asian region—home to a large young population and significant consumption potential—and combining Taiwan’s software and AI R&D capabilities to build a high-engagement two-sided platform model.

He noted that post-pandemic, FunNow capitalized on rising restaurant booking demand in Japan and Southeast Asia, completing a strategic partnership and system integration with SAVOR JAPAN, a foreign tourist restaurant reservation platform under USEN & U-NEXT GROUP. Additionally, the acquisition of Southeast Asian dining reservation platform Eatigo boosted cross-market integration benefits.

As brand, merchant, and user scale expands, FunNow’s overseas revenue share has surpassed 50%, with operational scale and economic efficiency becoming increasingly evident.

Is AI Changing Consumer Decision-Making? FunNow Pioneers the B2AI2C Business Model

In response to rapid advancements in AI technology, FunNow is actively developing new consumer service models. Chen Ting-Kuan pointed out that consumers are increasingly accustomed to using AI assistants for searching, comparing, and making decisions. FunNow has become one of the first dining reservation platforms in Taiwan and Southeast Asia to launch on the ChatGPT app store.

He emphasized that the group will continue deepening its 'B2AI2C' (Brand-to-AI-to-Consumer) business model, using AI technology to optimize user experience so that the platform becomes not just a booking service, but a key gateway connecting consumers with lifestyle scenarios.

Leveraging Capital Market Resources? FunNow Aims for Global Expansion of New-Economy Enterprise

FunNow’s signing of the listing advisory agreement with Taishin Securities marks a critical step toward the capital markets. FunNow stated that its shareholder base includes listed enterprises such as NEC Capital, CDIB Capital, Fultek, PChome Online, and Wistron, as well as international venture capital firms including Ascendo, ProFederal, SparkLabs, and Tapei.

Taishin Securities noted that beyond Taiwan’s traditional strengths in semiconductors and biotech, FunNow demonstrates rare cross-border platform operational capability. The firm will assist FunNow in strengthening its capital market connectivity through listing advisory mechanisms and fundraising expertise.

FunNow Group stated it will continue deepening cross-regional and cross-brand synergies, utilizing capital market resources to accelerate the digitization of the Greater Southeast Asian lifestyle and entertainment ecosystem, enabling Taiwan-born software startups to showcase competitiveness in international markets.