[Profile] Quek Siu Rui: The Architect of Carousell's Regional Ambition

The Profile Snapshot

In the bustling ecosystem of Southeast Asian tech, few founders have managed to weave a narrative of community and commerce as enduringly as Quek Siu Rui. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Carousell Group, he has steered the platform from a simple idea to a regional classifieds powerhouse, all while maintaining a distinctly approachable and user-centric ethos.

• 👨‍💼 Name: Quek Siu Rui
• 🏷️ Role: Co-Founder & CEO, Carousell Group
• 🔑 Key Superpower: Community-Centric Tech Visionary

The Catalyst: Why It Matters

Quek Siu Rui is back in the headlines as Carousell Group makes a strategic leap into the high-value automotive market. The acquisition of Singapore-based automotive marketplace Caarly marks a pivotal expansion for the company. For the Malaysian market, where Carousell is a dominant force in recommerce, this move signals a direct and formidable entry into the lucrative car classifieds space, challenging established players and redefining what a modern, mobile-first marketplace can be.

The Leadership Dialogue: Inside The Mindset

Reflecting on the acquisition, Quek speaks with the calm conviction of a leader who has seen multiple market cycles. He doesn't frame the Caarly deal as merely buying a competitor or adding a category; he describes it as "welcoming a team that shares our DNA of solving real-world problems with technology." For him, the booming car market represents the next frontier of trust-building—a challenge he relishes.

When discussing Carousell's philosophy, his focus is unwavering on the human element behind every transaction. He emphasizes that whether it's a pre-loved textbook or a high-value car, the core challenge remains the same: fostering trust and streamlining a historically fragmented process. "Our vision has always been to make selling as simple as taking a photo," he states, "but simplicity on the surface must be powered by sophisticated trust and verification systems underneath, especially for big-ticket items." He candidly admits that entering the automotive vertical is a deliberate step to deepen Carousell's relevance and utility in users' lives, a strategic necessity for a platform aiming to be the region's go-to for all things second-hand.

Career Milestones & Achievements

• Co-founded Carousell in 2012 with two classmates, transforming a simple mobile app idea into Southeast Asia's leading recommerce platform.
• Led Carousell through multiple high-profile funding rounds, raising over US$300 million from investors including Telenor Group, Naver, and STIC Investments.
• Orchestrated the landmark merger with 701Search, the parent company of Mudah.my, in 2019, solidifying Carousell's dominance in the Malaysian market and creating a regional classifieds leader.
• Successfully navigated the company through the pandemic, which saw a surge in digital adoption for buying and selling, further entrenching Carousell's position in daily life.
• Spearheaded the strategic acquisition of Caarly in 2024, marking Carousell's decisive expansion into the automotive vertical.

The Editor's Take

Quek Siu Rui represents a new breed of ASEAN tech leaders: ambitious yet pragmatic, globally-minded yet deeply attuned to local nuances. His leadership is less about disruptive bravado and more about steady, community-focused ecosystem building. He understands that in markets like Malaysia, trust is the ultimate currency, and his strategy revolves around earning and scaling it.

• 👁️ Visionary Thinking: 8/10 – Consistently ahead of the curve in identifying how mobile marketplaces evolve.
• ⚡ Execution Capability: 9/10 – Proven ability to integrate large acquisitions (Mudah) and execute on complex, multi-market strategies.
• 🌟 Industry Influence: 8/10 – A respected figure who has shaped the recommerce landscape across Southeast Asia.

"The future of commerce isn't just about new items; it's about unlocking the value and stories in everything that already exists."