Catcha Digital Doubles Down On WeirdKaya With 80% Stake

Catcha Digital Berhad has deepened its presence in Malaysia’s digital media landscape, with its wholly-owned subsidiary, iMedia Asia, increasing its stake in Headline Media from 30% to 80%. The additional 50% equity was acquired for RM4 million, funded entirely through internally generated funds, following the execution of a supplemental agreement on 22 December 2025.

The move comes less than two years after Catcha Digital first invested in Headline Media, and underscores the group’s conviction in the company’s operational performance and growth trajectory. Since the initial investment in December 2023, Headline Media’s annual net profit after tax has surged more than six-fold, from RM139,000 in 2023 to RM897,000 in 2024. Catcha Digital expects profitability to continue scaling in the coming years, supported by audience growth, monetisation initiatives, and deeper integration within iMedia’s digital media ecosystem.

Headline Media, co-founded by Rydah Tan, Chan Jin Wen, Dylan Tan, Esther Lee, and Sarah Yeoh, owns and operates a portfolio of leading digital media brands, anchored by WeirdKaya, one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing English-language social news platforms. Its other brands, including LokLokWords and EzLokal Food, collectively reach some 17 million users across social media and web platforms monthly, with a total follower base of approximately 1.2 million.

Patrick Grove, Chairman of Catcha Digital, said: “The decision to exercise the call option and increase our stake to 80% underscores our strong confidence in the quality of the business and the execution capabilities of the team. Headline Media has delivered exceptional profit growth in just one year, reflecting our conviction-led capital allocation approach as we continue building a permanent home for market-leading technology and media companies in Malaysia.”

Rydah Tan, CEO and co-founder of Headline Media, added: “Our partnership with Catcha Digital has significantly accelerated our growth. Increasing iMedia’s stake is a strong vote of confidence in our team and our long-term vision. We’re excited to continue building the business together as part of a larger digital media platform.”

The transaction forms part of Catcha Digital’s broader expansion strategy. Over the past 12 months, the group has completed seven strategic acquisitions, targeting growth and diversification in Malaysia’s digital economy. Collectively, these acquisitions are projected to generate approximately RM19.4 million in profit over their respective post-completion periods.