Carousell CEO, ex-Facebook exec join $260k round of Gen Z-focused social network

Singapore-based uWave, a social networking app aimed at Gen Z users, has raised US$260,000 in a pre-seed fundraise.

The round was joined by angel investors like Carousell CEO Quek Siu Rui, Carro CEO Aaron Tan, Rainforest CEO JJ Chai, GetGo CEO Ting Feng Toh, and ex-Facebook director Andy Hwang.

UWave co-founders (from left to right): Ding Ren Quek, Cedrik Lim, Kevin Yu, Chen YongWei / Photo credit: uWave

Launched in 2020, uWave is a student-focused app that centralizes campus information and services on a single platform that also has social networking features. Users can place academic reminders and food orders through the app, for example, using resources on campus-specific transportation and landmarks. Students can also engage in various discussions around school, their careers, and personal concerns.

The company was founded by Nanyang Technological University graduates Ding Ren Quek, Cedrik Lim, Kevin Yu, Chen YongWei.

The app is currently used by 29,000 students across eight schools in Singapore. The fresh funds will go into improving the platform’s user experience and adding new community features.

“uWave aims to not only be the go-to social networking app for Gen Zs, we are also committed to addressing pain points not tackled by existing solutions,” said Ding Ren Quek, co-founder of uWave, noting the rise of anonymous online posts on mental health issues. The platform, he adds, is a “safe haven” for students’ to express their opinions without fear of judgement.