In the bustling landscape of digital innovations, few platforms have sought to transform an age-old sport like golf into a seamlessly connected experience comparable to modern conveniences such as ride-hailing or food delivery. One such pioneer is Deemples, a burgeoning platform dedicated to linking golfers worldwide, city by city. Co-founded by David Wong, Deemples has simplified booking a round of golf and fostered a more engaged and united golfing community.
“We envision a future where booking a golf game is as easy as ordering food or requesting a ride. Whether you’re looking for someone to play with or need to book a tee time, Deemples aims to make the process seamless,” said David Wong, CEO and co-founder of Deemples, sharing the inspiration behind the platform.
Since its inception, Deemples has evolved significantly. David highlights their growth by saying, “We’ve seen substantial and consistent growth, with revenue doubling annually over the last four years. Achieving our first net profit in 2023 was a significant milestone, reaffirming our mission to connect golfers globally.”
The surge in youth interest in golf in Malaysia has significantly bolstered Deemples’ growth trajectory. This trend is evident in increased sales of golf equipment and apparel, higher rounds played at courses, occupancy at driving ranges, and bookings for golf coaches. Moreover, since its last fundraising round in 2020, Deemples has seen a 200% rise in active users, driven by digital transformation in booking habits and an intuitive user interface that resonates with golfers.
The recent infusion of US$2 million from V Ventures marks a pivotal moment for Deemples, which will empower Deemples to expand its reach and enhance connections among golfers globally. With these resources, Deemples aims to streamline operations, improve user experience, and intensify its market presence, solidifying its position as a leader in the golfing community.
“This funding will accelerate our initiatives to enhance user experience and expand our market presence. It’s a transformative step that will allow us to reach a broader audience of golfers worldwide,” said David.
Deemples plans to leverage the new funds to deepen its integration with golf course operations, simplifying booking, check-in processes, and gameplay for golfers. By collaborating closely with golf courses, Deemples is able to create a seamless end-to-end experience, akin to the convenience found in airline and hospitality sectors, thereby setting a new standard in golfing convenience and efficiency.
Navigating rapid growth posed challenges for Deemples, particularly in product enhancement and user acquisition strategies tailored to the discerning golfing community. By prioritising user feedback and strategic partnerships with golf courses, Deemples continues to innovate and refine its platform, ensuring sustained growth and relevance in a competitive landscape.
David told The Exchange Asia, “Building a product that truly serves golfers’ needs and expanding our user base are ongoing challenges. Continuous improvement and close collaboration with our community and partners are key to overcoming these.”
Technology lies at the heart of Deemples’ strategy, enabling scalable solutions that cater to global golfing communities. By leveraging robust technological infrastructure, Deemples enhances accessibility, reliability, and efficiency, ensuring seamless experiences for both golfers and golf courses worldwide.
Deemples has significantly boosted transactions and engagement for its Malaysian golf course partners, with bookings occurring every nine minutes on average. By facilitating up to 40% of total sales for some partners, the company continues to drive innovative marketing campaigns that maximise revenue without compromising margins.
With the platform, David envisions a future where golfers seamlessly connect, play, and explore courses worldwide, akin to the ease of services like Uber and Airbnb. By simplifying cross-border bookings and fostering global connections, Deemples empowers golfers to indulge their passion effortlessly, regardless of location or time zone.
Through its two-sided marketplace model, the company enhances revenue opportunities for golf courses while providing golfers with convenient booking options and streamlined experiences. By minimising last-minute cancellations and optimising capacity utilisation, the platform ensures mutual benefits for all stakeholders involved.
David envisions Deemples to be borderless, to which he said, “We aim to simplify golf booking globally, enabling golfers to connect and play effortlessly worldwide, akin to services like Uber or Airbnb.”
With promising early feedback and market interest, Deemples plans to expand strategically into new Southeast Asian markets and replicate its success by fostering robust partnerships and meeting the diverse needs of golfers across the region.
Moving forward, David hints at future product offerings and market expansions.
“We’re committed to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring Deemples remains at the forefront of revolutionising golfing experiences worldwide,” he added.
