Carousell Singapore

Carousell is a Singapore-based mobile-first classifieds marketplace platform founded in 2012 by Quek Siu Rui, Marcus Tan, and Lucas Ngoo. The platform originated as a simple mobile app for selling secondhand goods and quickly gained traction in Singapore's growing e-commerce landscape. By leveraging a user-friendly interface and focusing on the preloved goods market, Carousell differentiated itself from traditional e-commerce giants. The company expanded across Southeast Asia, launching in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other markets. In 2016, it acquired the peer-to-peer payments platform OMG! and later integrated with Carousell Protect, a buyer protection service. The platform supports categories including fashion, electronics, cars, property, and services. Carousell's business model is primarily free listing with optional promoted listings and feature upgrades. It has raised over $100 million in funding from investors such as Sequoia Capital India, Rakuten, and 500 Startups. The company has also ventured into automotive with its acquisition of the used car marketplace AyosDito in the Philippines. Carousell faces competition from established players like Shopee and Lazada, but remains a strong player in the preloved segment. The platform emphasizes community and trust, with user ratings and verification. In 2020, Carousell launched a ‘Buy for Me’ service to facilitate cross-border purchases. The company's mission is to make secondhand the first choice. The mobile app has millions of downloads and the web platform serves as a primary hub for Singapore users. Carousell.sg, the Singapore-specific domain, is tightly integrated with the main Carousell.com site, offering localised features. The domain was registered on November 2, 2013, and is hosted on Cloudflare CDN. Carousell continues to innovate, with AI-powered listing suggestions and chat features. The platform's impact on the circular economy and sustainable shopping is notable in the region. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Carousell saw increased user engagement as people turned to selling unused items. The company has also been recognized for its workplace culture and diversity initiatives. Overall, Carousell.sg represents a key digital marketplace in Singapore, embodying the growth of the region's e-commerce ecosystem.