Malaysian Startup 3cat Brings Warrantied Secondhand Phones to Philippines

Malaysian refurbished-gadget retailer 3cat has entered the Philippines, its first international market, backed by a US$4 million Series A round led by Foxmont Capital Partners. The company is betting on 56-point device checks and a 12-month warranty to make secondhand smartphones a trusted first choice for Filipino buyers.

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Malaysian startup 3cat has launched in the Philippines, its first market outside Malaysia, aiming to make secondhand smartphones a trusted mainstream option for Filipino buyers. The company raised US$4 million in Series A funding led by Foxmont Capital Partners, with participation from ADB Ventures and Golden Gate Ventures, TechNode Global reported in September 2026.

Loo said the company's core mission is changing mindsets so that secondhand tech becomes the first choice rather than a fallback. "We ensure that every device that we sell undergoes a 56-point check and we back our quality with a 12-month warranty," he told ABS-CBN News. He said 3cat sources devices directly from telecommunications companies and major international retailers to address concerns about authenticity and hidden defects.

The company's model pairs online sales with physical stores, which Loo said was one of the biggest lessons from growing the business in Malaysia. "Offline builds the trust and brings us close to consumers, and online helps us scale," he said, noting that roughly half of transactions involve an online touchpoint, a company-reported estimate.

The Philippines was selected because of its large mobile-first consumer base and demand for more affordable devices as smartphone prices rise, with the company citing third-party market estimates of 18.4 million smartphones sold in the country in 2025. The Asian Development Bank separately approved a US$3.8-million equity investment in Singapore-incorporated 3CAT Holdings Pte. Ltd., covering Malaysia and the Philippines, according to a project data sheet reported by Jiji Press.

For Filipino households weighing a premium phone purchase, a refurbished device can offer a higher-end model at a lower upfront price than a new unit, though actual savings depend on the model, condition and seller. ABS-CBN News noted that buyers should still check a specific device's condition, battery health, warranty coverage and return policy before purchasing.