Ficus Capital, an ESG-compliant Islamic venture capital firm, has announced a strategic investment of US$430,000 (RM1.9 million) in Morpheus Labs, a Singapore-based AI-powered Web3 implementation platform, as part of its Pre-A funding round.

This investment, made through Ficus’s flagship Ficus SEA Fund, aims to support Morpheus Labs in simplifying blockchain implementation, enabling businesses and developers to build, deploy, and manage decentralised applications more efficiently. By reducing time-to-market and streamlining workflows, Morpheus Labs is driving innovation in the Web3 space.

According to Custom Market Insights, the global Web3 market is projected to grow from US$4.8 billion (RM21 billion) in 2021 to US$69 billion (RM30 billion) by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 68%, underscoring the rapid expansion and opportunities in this sector.

Rina Neoh, managing partner of Ficus Capital, said: “Our investment in Morpheus Labs reflects our belief in the transformative potential of Web3 and our confidence in the company’s ability to lead this revolution. Their comprehensive platform and ecosystem-first approach align with our vision of fostering sustainable, scalable, and impactful technological solutions.”

Morpheus Labs is an award-winning leader in the Web3 space, offering an AI-powered platform that simplifies Web3 adoption for businesses and developers. Its key features include:

• Smart Contract Studio, which enables easy deployment of smart contracts using AI.
• Workflow Studio, a drag-and-drop tool for integrating Web3 features into existing systems.
• Web Studio (UI/UX), which provides customisable templates to streamline the development of decentralised applications (dApps).

Pei-Han Chuang (pic), founder and CEO of Morpheus Labs, said: “Ficus’s investment is pivotal in fuelling our growth and expanding our capabilities in the Web3 space. With their support, we are also expanding into key markets like Malaysia and Indonesia, where a young, tech-savvy population is driving digital adoption.

“Ficus Capital’s commitment as an ESG-i VC aligns perfectly with our mission to promote decentralisation and inclusivity. Their focus on Shariah-compliant ESG investing strongly resonates with our values, as we strive to provide accessible and sustainable blockchain solutions. Additionally, Ficus’s involvement in this round enhances our access to the Malaysian market and its growing tech ecosystem,” he added.

In addition to Ficus Capital’s investment, Startup Five Investment, a boutique fund and member of AVA Angels specialising in digital transformation, ESG, and Web3 investments, has also joined the Pre-A round as an early investor, following Ficus’s lead. Chuang is investing alongside both firms, reinforcing confidence—both internal and external—in Morpheus Labs’ potential to transform Web3 development.

Jeffery Yang, managing partner at Startup Five Investment, said: “We are excited to support Morpheus Labs as they shape the future of Web3 technology. Their platform’s cutting-edge features and seamless integration align perfectly with our investment strategy, and we believe this partnership will drive significant innovation in the Web3 ecosystem.

“We are also pleased to invest alongside Ficus Capital, a respected VC in the ESG and Shariah-compliant space, strengthening our shared commitment to supporting sustainable and impactful technologies.”

With this strategic investment, Morpheus Labs is poised to accelerate its growth and innovation. It has already secured a key collaboration with Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, to pioneer new Web3 experiences for users and content creators. By leveraging blockchain technology, this partnership aims to enhance content monetisation, digital rights management, and user engagement across media platforms.

Chuang added: “With the inaugural investment from Ficus and Startup Five Investment, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we can unlock new potentials in the Web3 space, expanding our platform’s scope and accelerating blockchain adoption in the entertainment industry.

“With our AI-powered platform, we are empowering businesses to build and scale blockchain solutions more efficiently. This collaboration marks a significant step towards redefining digital experiences for users and creators worldwide.”

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