8 Accomplishments in 2021
8 minute read
Aaand… that’s a wrap! 2021 marked yet another phenomenal year for us at Sleek as we continue to navigate through these unprecedented times.
From a brand new look, new products and offerings to conquering new countries, here are some key highlights from the year that make us proud to be Sleek!
Overview:
#1. A fresh coat of paint
2021 marked the year for a new look. That’s right! We underwent a makeover as we revamped key elements in our branding from color schemes, fonts, to even the Sleek logo.
So why the rebrand, you might ask? We believe in continuous excellence and enhancing your experience with us. Thus, we updated our signature blue for a new (dare we say, Sleeker) shade that now makes it more friendly for the visually impaired. It’s a minimum change for a maximum win as we embrace inclusivity into the fabric of our company.
On top of that, we elevated the user experience of our website, incorporating more accessible colors and navigation for our users. It was the natural next step in our vision of becoming the all-in-one business platform for you.
#2. New products, services, and offerings!
What’s better than one new product? How about two. Introducing the new kids on the block – Sleek Business Account and Sleek Insurance.
You spoke, and we listened. Developing these two offerings was a direct response to your growing business needs.
With the launch of Sleek Insurance, we noted your concerns about wanting to protect your business. What better way to simplify the process than to provide it on the same platform you manage your business. With a multitude of business insurance plans, you can now rest assured that your business is in good hands.
Meanwhile, the Sleek Business Account was our modern solution to the pains of opening a business account. With no setup fee, minimum deposit, or minimum balance, the Sleek Business Account truly is the next evolution in digital business banking.
#3. Securing the (money) bag
Money talks.. and it sure did in 2021. We had a great year of funding, achieving a grand total of US$25M in our Series A funding.
Backed by Jungle Ventures, White Star Capital, and EDBI, we are extremely humbled by the support of our new investors and are even more dedicated to using these funds to bolster tech and product development, hire new talent, and expand our presence in new and existing markets.
#4. Sleek breaks new ground
It only seems like yesterday that we expanded our offices to Hong Kong (fun fact: it was in 2019). In 2021, we’ve done it again – not once, but twice. Say hello to our colleagues down under in Australia and across the globe in the United Kingdom!
With these expansions, we hope to bring the same great Sleek experience of enabling smarter work through technology to these new markets as well as helping to launch the business ventures of local entrepreneurs. This brings about exciting opportunities for us at Sleek and we’re thrilled to see what the future holds for us in these new countries.
#5. Team Sleek continues to grow
At our rate of expansion in 2021, it is fitting that we welcomed a number of new hires from all across the globe to the Sleek family – all talented, brilliant, and valuable additions in their own ways.
It is rewarding to see the development that Team Sleek has undergone since 2017 and is a true testament to the amazing growth that we’ve achieved over the years. We’re proud to see the strengths that each member brings to their respective team and appreciate the hard work that everyone has put in.
And that’s not all. We’re constantly on the lookout for more great people to be a part of our team. If you believe in creating great solutions to shake up convention, take a look at our careers and join us at Sleek.
#6. Our road to carbon neutrality
This year also saw the continuation of something very close to our hearts – our sustainability efforts. At the end of 2020, we began our journey of being the first carbon-neutral corporate service provider in Asia-Pacific by 2030. We achieved this through our partnership with Handprint and Yagasu to plant mangrove trees to absorb our carbon footprint.
In 2021, we’re grateful to see the fruits of our labor. As of present, we’ve planted over 13,264 trees planted this year, resulting in up to 1,470 tons of carbon absorbed from trees by 2030. We’ve also saved 2.69 tons of paper from our clients going paperless with SleekSign.
#7. Giving back to the community
2021 also marked a new venture in our Corporate Social Responsibility – being a tech for a good. We worked closely with charities and organizations such as the Rainbow Centre–a social service organization that empowers people with disabilities–to raise funds, host informative lunch and learn sessions, and volunteer our services to help build these communities.
Through it all, we’re happy to announce that Team Sleek raised over S$7K towards Rainbow Centre and committed to over 50 hours of skills-based community.
#8. And the winner is…
Sleek! We’re so honored to be named the Singapore Partner of the Year at the Xero Asia Awards 2021. What an extremely humbling experience for us as we become the only Xero partner to achieve this award twice after having previously won it back in 2019.
And that’s not all. Sleek is also a finalist for the Most Promising Innovation in Techblazer Awards 2021. Organized by IMDA and SGTech, the Techblazer Awards host Singapore’s highest accolades that recognize excellence in the development or adoption of tech solutions. Fingers crossed for Team Sleek for the announcement ceremony in January 2022!
What’s next?
2021 truly marked another milestone in our Sleek journey. We’re thankful to every member of Team Sleek and our valued clients, as we close this chapter to yet another phenomenal year.
Here’s to what 2022 has in store for us!
