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The online beauty and wellness marketplace was founded by former foodpanda Managing Director Pawel Netreba

(L to R) Bfab Founders Pawel Netreba, Raeesa Sya and Sergey Gaydar

Bfab, a Malaysia-based online beauty and wellness marketplace started by former foodpanda Managing Director Pawel Netreba, has secured an undisclosed amount in seed investment, led by Singapore-based VC firm KK Fund.

Silicon Valley-based early-stage fund 500 Startups and Southeast Asia-focussed multi-stage investor Captii Ventures also joined the round.

Kuala Lumpur-headquartered Bfab will use the funds to build the platform, launch the product and build traction.

Also Read: 500 Startups leads US$500K seed round in Malaysian health marketplace

Bfab (which stands for Be fabulous) was started last year by Netreba, Co-founder and former Managing Director (Russia & CIS) at foodpanda, along with Raeesa Sya and Sergey Gaydar.

It is an online marketplace for beauty and wellness, where users can book for hair, massage, spa, nail, waxing and makeup services with various salons listed on the platform. In addition, the portal also allows users to compare prices, and comment and rate the services.

The instant booking CRM system gives the ability for users to view available slots at the salons in real time, book the service and receive confirmation instantly, claims the startup.

“The online beauty industry in Malaysia has been practically absent. Apart from Groupon, which has been pushing for beauty promotions/deals through its online channel, no beauty provider (with some exceptions) provides online appointments. At the moment, there’re several marketplace players similar to ours evolving in the country, but all lack in funding, relevant background and the technology,” Netreba told e27.

The startup said that it has already signed up around 250 salons in Klang Valley, including A Cut Above, Amante, Mandara Spa, The Soloist Salon, Kimarie and Makeover Hair Salon.

Bfab is now planning to launch a mobile app in the next six weeks.

“By bringing customers and salons together onto one marketplace, we help salons to push their online presence/exposure, bringing them new customers and hence increased revenues and profitability. This can make the difference,” said Gaydar.

Other prominent players operating in the segment in Malaysia include beaupass and Clique Guide.

KK Fund is a Singapore and Japan-based VC firm investing in seed-stage Internet and mobile startups in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Started in February 2015, the fund has invested in 10 companies till date, including Kaodim, The Lorry and Febelio.

A subsidiary of SGX-listed Captii Limited, Captii Ventures invests in marketplace enablers that deliver mobile and e-commerce innovation and ventures that build mobile-first media platforms.

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