Asiola is an online crowdfunding platform built to support creative and community-driven ideas in Thailand. It was launched in 2015 in Bangkok by a group of founders comprising technology experts, music industry experts and artists in response to Thailand’s burgeoning startup scene. Their aim was to provide a way to for fledgling ideas to gather attention and get funded.
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Asiola’s vision is to provide a platform for ideas worth supporting and connect creators of ideas with an audience. Supporters receive rewards in return for their contribution towards a campaign’s funding goal and if a campaign is successful, rewards are delivered and the campaign is executed. Asiola welcomes ideas that are innovative and have potential to make a positive impact on communities in Thailand.
Founders
Asiola was founded by an international team including: marketing specialist Jon Lor (CEO), Sanji Tandan - former managing director of Warner Music UK, IT specialist Chris Hwang (CTO) , social entrepreneur Pranitan “Pete” Phornprapha, Thai musician Montonn “Jay” Jira and Khanngoen “Khan” Nuanual of Thai rap group, Thaitanium.
Model
Currently, Asiola operates on a rewards-based crowdfunding model. Funds are raised for a project by supporters who invest in an idea that inspires them by pledging a contribution. If the campaign reaches its funding goal within the campaign deadline, the payments are processed, the creator can execute the project and in return, the supporters receive rewards. These can be tangible products or items, or intangible rewards like services or, in the case of community-driven campaigns, a sense of being part of something worthwhile. The founders cite plans to expand the model to incorporate equity-based crowdfunding in the future.
Launch
The official launch of Asiola.com took place on 24 November, 2015 and featured panel discussions from the team of founders, Khun Teeranun Srihong, President of Kasikorn Bank.
Campaigns
Notable successful campaigns include Thaitay Rap Boot Camp - a hip hop workshop with Thai rap group Thaitanium. The group raised 104% of the funding goal and the event took place at Rockademy Thailand in April 2016. Street Strength - an urban dance and fitness event, was conceived by WeGotTheSpot. They raised 134% of the funding goal and the event, which brought together dancers, fitness and martial arts enthusiasts for workshops, competitions and performances, took place in April 2016. Street artist Alex Face crowdfunded Peace for Bangkok - a public art project. The campaign reached 132% of its funding goal and the artist completed the large-scale mural in central Bangkok in May 2016. Thai musician Montonn Jira raised 1033% of his funding goal to throw Bangkok’s first ever “Techno Pizza Party”. Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) successfully raised 101% of their funding goal for Right to Breathe, a campaign to tackle northern Thailand’s haze problem through education programmes among young Thai farmers.