Extroverts and introverts have long been at odds in the business world. Networking events are the best place to see that.
Due to this, Mole, a Malaysian startup developing an all-in-one networking platform, has created an event series called “I Hate Networking”.
“We understand that networking can be uncomfortable for anyone, and especially for those who are introverted,” said co-founder and COO Melly Ling. “Mole’s vision is to create a world where professionals network for real connections that go beyond business transactions.”
The event series, however, only represents the very beginning. Additionally, Mole is developing a digital business card that uses near-field communication and QR codes to increase networking efficiency and reduce paper waste. By doing this, the business would be able to compete in the $1 billion traditional business card market, according to Mole co-founder and CEO Au Soung Rong.
Antler, an early-stage VC firm, recently provided the company with pre-seed funding of $110,000 USD.
Before being bootstrapped, Mole was established in June 2022. With this investment, Mole will be able to create a networking app specifically for Malaysian SMEs and launch its digital business card platform.
Next year, the business intends to take its platform for business cards to additional Southeast Asian nations. Additionally, it provides a number of tools like a messaging system, a contact list, and event listings to aid in professional networking.
“We believe that Mole has the potential to reshape the networking landscape and create meaningful change in how professionals connect and collaborate,” said Erik Jonsson, partner at Antler.
