● Siam Validus offers a new option for Thai SMEs for the first time by raising funds through a crowdfunding platform up to 30 million baht without requiring collateral.

● The crowdfunding bond business model of Siam Validus also allows general investors to diversify their investment risks in their portfolios with this new investment format, investing in promising growth companies and supporting Thai SMEs, which are crucial to the economy.

● Siam Validus is part of the Validus group, a leader in providing fundraising platforms for SMEs in the ASEAN region, having successfully raised over 30 billion baht for SMEs in ASEAN, with a goal to double its growth within the next 12 months.

Siam Validus collaborates with SCG to assist SMEs that still lack access to funding sources, presenting a new fundraising option for business use without collateral through the crowdfunding platform.

Ms. Wareeman Niymthai, CEO of Siam Validus Capital Co., Ltd. stated, "SMEs are a vital cog in the Thai economy. However, SMEs often face challenges in accessing funding sources to enhance liquidity or expand their businesses. The crowdfunding platform of Siam Validus will help SMEs raise funds from retail investors in the capital market, starting from 200,000 baht up to 30 million baht.

Siam Validus aims to disburse 3 billion baht to SMEs in Thailand by the end of 2022, having already raised 1 billion baht. They have partnered with SCG Distribution Co., Ltd., which has a network of SMEs as partners with significant growth potential. Through this collaboration, Siam Validus will help alleviate the burden of accessing funds and address liquidity issues for these SMEs, especially during the economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic."

To date, Siam Validus has successfully raised over 30 billion baht in ASEAN, with a goal to double that to approximately 60 billion baht within the next 12 months.

Ms. Wareeman added, "At the same time, we are making investments in bond assets more accessible for retail investors. Traditionally, this type of investment has primarily been available to high net worth individuals and institutional investors. In a time of reduced deposit protection and high market volatility, Siam Validus has researched and found that retail investors are seeking new investment formats that meet their needs. Therefore, we are selecting high-potential SMEs as investment options in the form of crowdfunding bonds, with varying bond terms and returns according to the risk tolerance of investors.

Investors can receive returns of 4-15% in the form of interest on their investments, representing a great opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios with returns higher than deposit interest. The crowdfunding platform of Siam Validus, which is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), allows investors to invest with confidence."

"The Validus group has expertise and experience in fundraising through digital channels for over six years. Being the number one fundraising platform for SMEs in ASEAN is a testament to the success of our strategy using data-driven technology to enhance fundraising effectively. We utilize alternative credit data to develop a credit scoring model to identify reliable SMEs with growth potential that may struggle to access necessary funding from banks without collateral or financial documentation. Our business model has enabled over 50,000 SMEs across the ASEAN region to access funding sources, creating value for SMEs, investors, and business partners," Ms. Wareeman stated.

Mr. Bhan Kasemsap, Chief Strategy & Investment Officer of SCG Cement & Building Materials said, "SCG places great importance on sustainable business operations that aim to grow alongside all stakeholders, especially medium and small enterprises, where access to funding is a crucial factor for effective growth. The company believes that this new fundraising model through the crowdfunding platform of Siam Validus will benefit SMEs in the network, including distributors, retailers, and business partners, making it easier to access funding and strengthening businesses, which will positively impact the overall economy of Thailand."

SMEs are a key component of the Thai economy, accounting for 95% of all businesses in the country and employing 80% of the workforce. However, currently, SMEs have access to funding sources amounting to only 1.289 trillion baht, which is just 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Since its launch in 2015, Validus has successfully raised over 30 billion baht through crowdfunding for SMEs in four countries: Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. The Validus group has shareholders that are leading venture capital firms in ASEAN, including FMO, Vertex Growth, Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, AddVentures by SCG, K3 Ventures, Openspace Ventures, and VinaCapital Ventures.