The HeyJom app aims to make it easy for sports enthusiasts to participate in events
MANY people today use apps for fitness routines.
But with multiple sports apps running for different purposes, from browsing through sports events to tracking their routine, getting into action can be a bit taxing.
This is why HeyJom has it all for sports enthusiasts.
HOW IT STARTED
HeyJom's founder and chief executive officer Patricia Tan's fitness venture goes way back to when she founded an ad agency, Azalea, in 2000 and established Score Sports Management, a sport and event management company that organised Malaysia's sport and fitness expo in 2013.
In 2016, HeyJom was set up by Score Sports Management founders, including Tan, but it was merely a fitness event registration platform.
The mother of three from Melaka, who majored in business administration from Universiti Malaya, says she tried to live a healthy and active life by being a fitness enthusiast and an avid runner.
She reminisces about packing her running gear whenever she travels. In her words, it was "fun" to be able to tour around in foreign lands, ones where tourists wouldn't often have the pleasure of seeing.
"As a sports enthusiast and runner, there are a lot of things needed to accommodate my journey. Like all runners, I'd register for running events on sports platforms while using running apps to train and track my progress. I also need my energy gel, running shoes from retail stores or online and get recipes for my daily meals. All of which operate in separate apps and platforms," says Tan.
She notes that other athletes have similar issues when preparing for their races. "So instead of contemplating, why not have all of those in a single app?" she muses.
That's when she decided to transform HeyJom into a fitness and health app.
Currently, HeyJom consists of herself and several co-founders, including the chief financial officer and co-founder Lok Foong Peng, with two advisers, Tham Lih Chung and T.S. Wong.
HOW IT WORKS
"Before, HeyJom was only a fitness event registration platform. We only launched the mobile app last December. Now, participants get to register for events and get their entitlement and rewards.
"We'll be launching our affiliate marketing programme for users to earn money too," Tan explains.
Users can register and participate in sports events, purchase fitness gear, use fitness trackers, train with experts, and connect with fellow enthusiasts in a single app.
There is also an NFT feature where they can collect NFT medals for their achievement and get extra benefits on the platform by signing up for Score Marathon. Plus, trainers, event organisers or brands can reach a wider market thanks to HeyJom's growing number of users.
"Featuring sports events like running, cycling, team sports, treasure hunt, relay and obstacles, participants get to buy and send event vouchers as gifts to friends. And that's currently for Phase 1.
"Phase 2 will consist of buying goods and providing service training sessions from our trainers and gym," Tan adds.
CHALLENGES
Covid-19 was a big challenge to Tan and her team.
"We were forced to opt for virtual events and it took a toll on the system. But the brands and organisers were 'cheeky' as they managed to creatively construct ideas and formats to stand out.
"Unfortunately, those methods have become so common nowadays. We are running out of fresh ideas," she laments.
"They need to keep track of the latest trends to create new features for their stakeholders," she says.
HeyJom is currently on an Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) campaign and plans to raise RM2 billion to accelerate the platform development, marketing, regional expansion and acquisition.
"We are also looking at an initial public offering or trade sale in 2025," says Tan.
HeyJom has collected about RM400,000 so far, which continues till the end of January. It has secured Fidelity Funding as a cornerstone investor.
Tan believes that the world will turn out for the better if everyone participates in sport or fitness activities. She implores all enthusiasts to support the ECF and help them change the world.
FUTURE PLANS
Thanks to the app, HeyJom has upgraded from a tool for registration to a one-stop app for all sports enthusiasts.
By connecting fitness enthusiasts, trainers, organisers and brands, the sports community will grow. Tan hopes that HeyJom can subsequently spread across Southeast Asia.
"Through the enhanced ecosystem and collaboration with reputable partners, it will benefit our members in many ways, including growing their numbers by 45 per cent. We're targeting 440,000 members by 2025.
"Plus, we'll be getting RM10.2 million from the marketplace, events support services, apparel and merchandise, and commission from the event fee by then too,'" says Tan.