Press Releases

• Unlike most peer-to-peer systems, GNum’s technology permits calls from PCs, mobile devices without need for prior software or app downloads by callers
• Singaporean mobile users can access 200 minutes free calls immediately

Singapore, 20 October 2014 – Homegrown GNum Pte Ltd (“GNum”), which has developed the world’s first personalised call URL (“call handle”), announced today that it will receive S$7.0 million seed funding from a leading local private equity firm, believed to be one of the largest first-round investments in a Singapore start-up.

GNum, a subsidiary of GlobalRoam Pte Ltd, said Singapore-based Tembusu Partners Pte. Ltd. (“Tembusu Partners”) – which manages close to S$300 million and has a strong track record investing in high growth enterprises across Asia – is investing in GNum out of its Tembusu Growth Fund II.

GNum has developed a patent-pending technology that allows calls from virtually any electronic device – PC, tablet and other mobile phones – to be routed to a GNum user’s mobile phone, without the need for a prior application download, unlike most hybrid peer-to-peer client-server systems.

Its call handle – a personalised URL for each user – can be shared easily through text or image hyperlinks in email signatures, documents, tweets, blogs and social media profiles.

GNum offers superior voice quality as it utilises the GSM network instead of peer-to-peer services that use traditional VOIP.More importantly, GNum’s call handles allow users to stay contactable without revealing their mobile numbers in the public domain.

GNum will use the funding to acquire related technologies and for working capital as it prepares for a nationwide rollout in Singapore in the coming months before launching in the Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia and Philippines. GNum will launch in United States, China, Hong Kong, India and Australia following the Southeast Asia rollout.

Mr. Alexandre Yokoyama, Chief Executive Officer of GNum, said, “We are grateful for the investment by Tembusu Partners whose principals also act as mentors and facilitators for partnerships we are pursuing. Singapore is our base and all 8.4 million local mobile numbers are eligible for GNum, which will facilitate rapid adoption here before our international launch. Interested users can register on www.gnum.com and immediately benefit from such a service.”

Commenting GNum’s win-win business model of partnering telcos, Alex said, “GNum has been actively engaging several Asian telco companies on partnership opportunities that will involve revenue sharing. We seek to work with incumbent major Telcos even as the operating environment is being rapidly redefined.”

Mr. Chik Wai Chiew, Partner at Tembusu Partners, said, “We are confident that GNum will augment the telecommunications ecosystem and bring tremendous value to users and partners by bridging the Internet and telephony divide, at a time of increasing social networking, mobile connectivity and emphasis on privacy.”

“Combining GNum’s vision and unique capabilities with Tembusu’s strong regional resources and network, we believe GNum will fundamentally enhance how we communicate with one another. Tembusu is prepared to make big bets to back Asian entrepreneurs who have the vision and courage to transform the industry and benefit global users,” he added.

– End of Press Release –

Issued on behalf of GNum Pte Ltd and Tembusu Partners Pte Ltd by WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd:

Media Contact:
WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd
38A Circular Road, Singapore 049394
Tel: (65) 6737 4844
GNum: www.gnum.com/pr
Ian Lau: ianlau@wer1.net and Benjamin Cher: benjamin@wer1.net

About GNum Pte Ltd
A commercial spinoff of GlobalRoamTM Group Limited, GNum was established in 2014. Equipped with a patent-pending Personalized URL calling solution, GNum users can enjoy anonymity and privacy through its service. GNum collaborates with telecommunications companies to provide reliable calls with exceptional quality. The company aims to connect the mobile world and the online world with its innovative international toll-free service, allowing people to receive call anytime, anywhere from GNum.com/GNumhandle.

All Singapore mobile phone numbers have been pre-registered with GNum. Simply key in: GNum.com/65-your mobile phone number. Sign up now for your personalized GNum handle.

For more information, please visit: http://www.gnum.com

About Tembusu Partners Pte Ltd
Tembusu Partners is a private equity investment firm investing in growth-stage companies, with a view to generate optimal returns for both investee companies and investors. Headquartered in Singapore, its primary geographical markets are within Emerging Asia – comprising China, India and Southeast Asia.
For more information, please visit: http://www.tembusupartners.com/

About GlobalRoam Group Limited
Established in 2001, GlobalRoamTM Group Limited is a group of companies that provides innovative info-communication services for leading telcos. With its patented mapping technology, a safe and private mode of international communication can be achieved cost-effectively and conveniently for end-users in over 50 countries. GlobalRoamTM collaborates with telcos and service providers in reaching out to new markets. Its strength lies in the ability to bridge the mobile world to the online world. It was previously quoted in OTC (managed by Phillip Securities Pte Ltd) and is currently headquartered in Singapore with a research and development (“R&D”) supporting office in Chengdu, China.

For more information, please visit: http://www.globalroam.com