Supernewsroom turns to crowdfunding for expansion plan

Supernewsroom, a digital media relations platform, will be listed on equity-based crowdfunding site CrowdPlus.asia next month, in an effort to raise RM1 million.

Founder, Manminder Kaur Dhillon said the money would be used to fuel an expansion plan to "conquer" Asia by 2018.

"We will spread our wings to Southeast Asia by 2017 before expanding outside it. We already have a presence in Vietnam and will be expanding to Singapore by year-end," she told Bernama.

Manminder said 50 percent of the fund raised will be utilised for marketing and operations, 30 per cent for technology development and 20 percent for advertising and promotion expenses, including roadshows, conferences and exhibitions.

She is optimistic of meeting the RM1 million target, given that Supernewsroom is now stronger in terms of technology and database, alongside the introduction of two new products, NewStream Asia and Zeus.

NewStream Asia is a news website, which highlights news from Supernewsroom subscribers. Zeus is a social media monitoring and analysis platform, offered to Supernewsroom subscribers.

"The products will enable Supernewsroom to provide comprehensive solutions for media relations, from media invitation to monitoring viewers' feedback, once Zeus is in place.

"Zeus is expected to start operations within the next four months and NewStream Asia has been up and running since July this year," Manminder said.

Moving forward, she said the company is targeting startups and small-medium enterprises to drive its customer base.

"They are hungry for marketing and media relations.Thus, Supernewsroom is the perfect solution for them at an affordable RM500 monthly.

"We have received encouraging feedback from businesses in Vietnam and Singapore.

"For the Malaysian market, we are already in discussions with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), to work with startups under them," she added.

Supernewsroom also allows subscribers to connect with related media through its updated media directory. Businesses can send press releases and media invites, as well as pitch their story to the media, through it. -- BERNAMA