Qualampur: Catch Digital BHD (east Reve Asia BHD) is banking on bold dealing to score its south -pre -Asian operations – even the market has doubts and macro uncertainty.
CEO Eric Tan said that the catch is pursuing a purchase-and-manufacturing strategy to become a digital digital aggressively aggressively to become a major digital group of Southeast Asia.
“You must have seen that we acquire a lot, which is not very common among public companies in Malaysia,” he said that Sunbiz In a special interview.
“We start a ‘purchase-and-making’ approach-start with a platform acquisition and then combine synergistic businesses to plug into the ecosystem. The idea is that a plus is equal to a three.”
Tan said that the final goal is to become the number one digital group of the region. “Our path is to create two high-development, complementary businesses-media and software.”
He said that the purpose of Catch Digital is to establish his digital media division as the Malaysian market leader before expanding regional within the next two to three years. Meanwhile, its software segment will focus on achieving and developing vertical-specific solutions.
“If a product is designed for banks, it serves banks, not retail vendors or unrelated industries,” they explained. “We want to create a portfolio of the necessary software that goes deep into major areas.”
Addressing concerns over the fiery-paced dealmaking of the catch digital, Tan said: “People are worried because they understand how M&A works on this scale, and this is a good thing. It means that no one else is doing as if we are.”
The group employs a stringent selection process, screening 2,000 companies annually, meets with 300 to 400, and only receives a handful.
“We look for predicted revenue, strong management and long -term stability businesses. We are not under pressure to sell in five years. We want to be a permanent owner like Warren Buffett,” Tan said.
After two years of dealing behind the curtain, Catch Digital has officially entered the execution mode. Between January and March this year, Catch Digital announced six acquisitions. It includes the complete acquisition of 51% Nexible, and for 92.5% thea service partner formally for deal and 51% DS services.
The group also won 60% stake in Drive 2 Digital on 7 May. Other pending deals include 70% stake in delicious Malaysia – with an additional 20% buying option – and 60% stake in Framon Studio.
Despite the fall of 12.5% year-on-year in net profit due to high content costs, Catch Digital posted in RM9.49 million revenue for the first quarter of 2025, operating by 8% from a year ago, its major media unit, media.
On the Outlook, Tan stated that the group is ready to navigate macroeconomic uncertainty. “We worry about how external forces can affect our plans. But as said, in every crisis, there is an opportunity.”
However, he pointed to two structural tailwinds supporting the catch digital strategy: artificial intelligence and acceleration of digital adoption, and a generational change in trade ownership.
“We are focusing on necessary, recurring-revenue businesses. If one product slows down, the other can compensate, that is what we make flexibility.”
Tan admitted that the catch digital model may seem unconventional, but emphasized its track record. “The iProperty was created from 12 companies, from ICAR five. We have people, process and experience. Now, it’s about executing well.”
