[Founder Feature@TC] Nov 2020
Name: Damian Sia, CEO / Founder, 33yo, Singaporean
Technopreneur Circle member: Since Oct 2020
Company: Motorist Pte Ltd (SaaS (Automotive)
Website: https://www.motorist.sg
Fun facts about me:
I enjoy playing the piano and tasting different types of beer. I’m also a phone addict and secretly enjoy watching Korean dramas in my spare time.
The company under 20 words:
Motorist is a Singapore-based automotive start-up that provides drivers with smart solutions to simplify their vehicle ownership.
What my company name means:
I picked the name ‘Motorist’ because it was our intended target audience. Our vision is to serve every Motorist in Singapore.
Why I started the company & my journey so far:
The idea for Motorist was first planted in 2012, after I tried selling my car on my own. Because it was my first time, I encountered many unethical buyers and dealers who tried to take advantage of my inexperience.
Besides trying to lowball me, they used different shady tactics to get me to quickly transfer my vehicle to them, even before the transaction was complete.
Back then I was also trying to set up a new business, and as a busy entrepreneur, I simply didn’t have time for lengthy and troublesome procedures.
That was when I decided a more hands-off approach would be a better solution to consumers such as myself.
Motorist was eventually founded in 2015. Our mission is to simplify vehicle ownership for the masses by creating an ecosystem of smart tools and services that allow car owners to better manage their vehicles.
- In January 2019, the company successfully raised its first round of seed funding from JobsCentral’s co-founders Der Shing Lim and Shao-Ning Huang, and Zopim’s co-founder Royston Tay.
- When Motorist was founded, we focused primary on selling cars. Since then we have opened other verticals such scrapping/export, motor insurance, and COE renewal. Our latest ventures include roadside assistance, valet assistance, and car rental. We hope to capture a wider audience with our vehicle management app.
- Initially, it was just me. I had to develop the website, be a salesman, an accountant, and market my business on my own. Today, we have over 50 employees in three different countries.
- We have served over 332,000 customers to date. On the Motorist App, we have close to 70,000 users.
My lightbulb advice:
I believe humility, and the willingness to accept all forms of advice and criticism, is the most important. Invest in yourself by acquiring as much knowledge as you can. Read books, attend workshops, talk to people.
Don’t be afraid to fail.
I am looking for:
Investors, Mentors / Advisors, Partners, Talents (team members)
You can reach me @
Technopreneur Circle is a member-based community platform funded by Vertex Ventures for tech startups to connect, communicate, and collaborate. More information available at www.technopreneurcircle.com.
Contact us: techcircle@vertexholdings.com
