What does it take for a business to thrive in an unpredictable world? For Southeast Asia’s most resilient companies, growth goes beyond numbers. It’s about building ecosystems that connect industries, empower communities, and unlock opportunities across borders. This is the story of GB Helios—celebrating 10 years of purposeful growth and accelerating into the future.
Founded in 2015 as part of the Goldbell Group, GB Helios began with a simple mission: to close financing gaps for SMEs. From its first base in Singapore, it expanded quickly across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, building regional expertise and a strong foundation in SME financing. Its 2023 rebrand marked a bold new direction: to change the game in finance by creating an ecosystem of solutions that anticipate tomorrow’s needs.
An ecosystem built for impact
Today, GB Helios offers more than traditional financing. Its integrated ecosystem combines capital, technology, and partnerships to help businesses scale with confidence and resilience. From loans and factoring to venture debt, embedded finance, and revenue-based financing, GB Helios ensures that access to capital becomes a launchpad—not a barrier—for growth.
Founder Alex Chua reflects, “Celebrating 10 years is just the beginning. At GB Helios, we are shaping the future of finance, creating opportunities that empower businesses and communities to grow with purpose and lasting impact.”
Expanding access, empowering resilience
GB Helios’ commitment is tangible. During the pandemic, it partnered with the Singapore Business Federation’s Young Business Leaders Network to launch the S$5 million YBLN HOPE Fund, providing critical relief to SMEs and preserving jobs. More recently, as a Participating Financial Institution under Enterprise Singapore’s Enterprise Financing Scheme, GB Helios continues to expand access to inclusive capital when businesses need it most.
Through its digital platforms, innovative products, and ecosystem ventures, GB Helios ensures that finance is not a barrier, but a launchpad for growth, resilience, and sustainable impact.
Innovating finance and technology for SMEs
At the heart of GB Helios’ next decade is a growing portfolio of ventures, each designed to accelerate SME success and transform industries.
In the realm of finance, Polaris empowers digital-first businesses with venture debt and embedded finance, supporting startups and growth-stage companies in sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and healthcare that are often underserved by traditional lenders.
Pilon complements this by reimagining supply chain financing through a digital platform that provides SMEs with faster access to working capital while enabling corporates to optimise cash flow through transparent, API-driven connections.
Beyond financing, GB Helios extends its ecosystem into technology and assets with GB NXT, which helps businesses stay agile by offering IT and equipment leasing through flexible plans. This not only frees up cash flow and reduces risks of obsolescence but also promotes sustainable growth by extending the lifecycle of tech assets through refurbishment and recycling.
Reimagining how people live, work, and thrive
The ecosystem also reaches into everyday experiences, reflecting GB Helios’ vision of impact that goes beyond business.
First, Aquarius makes quality living more accessible by offering appliances and furniture on a rental basis, lowering financial commitments, giving families flexibility to upgrade, and reducing waste.
Two of a Kind, on the other hand, is Singapore’s first direct-to-consumer contact lens subscription. It brings transparency and affordability to vision care while advancing circular practices through its Project 2×2 recycling program.
Further, Helios Fitness redefines wellness with holistic ecosystems that combine sports performance, recovery, and sustainable design, offering advanced solutions such as cold plunge pools, saunas, and compression therapy to help people achieve balance and resilience.
Finally, AC Concepts, co-founded by Chef José Alonso and Alex Chua, brings together chef-driven dining brands that blend creativity and heritage, delivering memorable culinary experiences rooted in quality and storytelling.
Shaping the next decade
Together, GB Helios’ ventures illustrate how it has transformed finance into an integrated ecosystem. It is one that not only provides capital but also creates the conditions for businesses, communities, and individuals to thrive.
As it celebrates a decade of purpose-driven growth, it is not pausing to reflect, it is accelerating into the future. The next decade will belong to businesses that grow with vision and purpose.
GB Helios is building the ecosystem to make that possible.