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Mathew Ward

Founder (2 Exits), Angel Investor, Advisor, Sales Leader

Mathew Ward, also known as Mat, is a successful and experienced CEO, Entrepreneur, and investor with a strong track record in building, scaling, and exiting multiple technology companies in the Asia Pacific region.

With over two decades of experience primarily in B2B sales, Mat has specialized in various industries including HR Tech, Marketplaces, SaaS, and AdTech, showcasing his versatility and expertise across different sectors.

One of Mat's notable ventures includes Workmate, an on-demand staffing platform he founded and led as CEO, securing over US$13 million in funding from prominent venture capital firms before the company was acquired by PERSOL Group in 2022, highlighting his ability to drive successful exits.

Before Workmate, Mat spearheaded Lotame's operations in Asia, served as the CEO of Admax Network (later acquired by Komli Media), and provided advisory services to Ardent Capital and Infocomm Investments, showcasing his strategic leadership and industry insights.

Mat's educational background includes studying at Wellington College in New Zealand, where he likely developed the foundation for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.

Throughout his career, Mat has been actively involved in various organizations, such as serving as an Angel Squad Member at Hustle Fund, a Non-Executive Director at All That Jazz Dance Academy Pte Ltd, and holding key roles at renowned companies like Lotame, Admax Network, Elanex, Inc., and systemsGo, illustrating his diverse and impactful contributions to the business world.

Highlights

May 8 · linkedin

My journey with Workmate has come to an end.

After 8+ years of pouring my blood sweat and tears into Workmate, its time to pass the torch. Its been an incredible ride.

The problem we have worked to solve is an incredibly hard one - to change the way the blue collar labour market operates in Southeast Asia. We have not achieved the mission yet, but we have come a long way - employing over 100k workers and paying out close to $100m in wages to workers since we started. And for that I'm incredibly proud.

We almost died three times (less than 2 weeks of cash left on 2 occasions), I personally suffered major burnout in 2019 that almost resulted in full on breakdown... BUT, we stuck at it. We persevered. We kept pushing because we BELIEVED in the vision. This ultimately culminated in Workmate being acquired by PERSOL Group in 2022 in a successful exit, which brought us together with one of the worlds leading HR companies.

Without doubt this has been the hardest thing I have ever done. But also the most rewarding.

As I look back on the journey, what I am most proud of is how the team kept fighting, through thick and thin. That dedication to the cause, the grit and determination to never give up - even when it all seemed hopeless. We have a saying at Workmate "Our battles are what bind us" - and its true. Its the tough times - when your backs are against the wall - when you learn and grow the most, and when you forge long lasting relationships.

Its now time for me to pass the torch, and let the next generation of leaders in Workmate take the helm and continue on the mission. I look forward to seeing Andrew Senduk and Andriano Winatra lead the team on the next stage of the journey.

On a personal note, I need to say a few thank yous. To John Srivorakul Stephens Paul Srivorakul Tom Srivorakul Piers Bennett for being part of the founding team and vision for Workmate. Without your belief in me and the vision we would never have gotten off the ground. To B. Paul Santos Damien Lim Maxim S. Adrian Li Vitavin ITTIPANUVAT and my early angel investors for buying into the vision and funding us through the ups and downs. To Taka Yamazaki Stephen, Francis Koh for taking Workmate under your care for the next stage of the mission. To Martin Toft Sorensen, Andrew Senduk Andriano Winatra Tudor Coman Andrew Alcock Hsu Ken Ooi Peter Goldsworthy, and everyone else who joined the Workmate team along the way and gave their time and energy to join me on this crazy journey.

Whats next for me? Nothing.🙂 Time with my wife and kids - which I have sacrificed over these years. Time back in NZ with my parents and family. Time to recharge and rediscover other parts of life outside of startups. Oh, and getting the golf handicap down of course!! ⛳

Heres to the next chapter....

#Workmate #LeadershipTransition #StartupJourney #ThankYou

Oct 11 · linkedin

The news is finally out. Workmate has been acquired by PERSOL Asia Pacific !

Over the last 6.5 years, the team at Workmate has worked incredibly hard in the pursuit of our mission to improve the lives of blue collar workers in Asia. Its been a real roller-coaster, with some great successes mixed with some really tough times along the way, but the team has never doubted the mission and today is a massive credit to everyone who has worked so hard as part of this journey. This acquisition marks a huge milestone for the business, and I'm excited about the next phase working with PERSOL.

We started working with PERSOL 3 years ago when they invested in our Series A and the synergies were immediately clear. With a shared vision for the future of work, and numerous opportunities to help each other grow, this acquisition was a natural fit.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Workmate journey, in particular the amazing leadership team of Martin Toft Sorensen Andrew Senduk Tudor Coman Andrew Alcock , Ming Yew L. and Vanessa Ng , who work so hard every day to drive this mission forward. Also to my co founder John Srivorakul Stephens , and our incredibly supportive investors Paul Srivorakul Piers Bennett Maxim S. B. Paul Santos Wavemaker Partners Damien Lim Melissa Ong, Adrian Li , SEEDS Capital Beacon VC, Gobi Partners Lendable and others- Thank you for putting your faith in us and backing us. Thanks also to Georgios Markakis and the Venero Capital Advisors team for advising on this deal.

I'm excited to kick off the next phase working with Taka Yamazaki Nic Reiser as a part of PERSOL Group. Onwards and upwards!

Mathew Ward
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Location

Singapore