Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) has appointed WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd as a service provider for both programmes under its S$30 million Value Unlock initiative, designed to strengthen foundations and drive value creation among SGX-listed companies. The initiative, backed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), aims to help smaller listed companies enhance corporate strategies, sharpen investment narratives, and deepen investor and media engagement.
WeR1, founded in 1999, has been approved for the Equip and Elevate programmes. Under the Equip Grant, participating companies can claim 50% co-funding support of up to S$15,000 each. WeR1 is launching three training programmes: Lining Your IR Calendar Effectively, Turning Crisis into Opportunity, and Specialist Writing for Financial Markets. For the Elevate Grant, WeR1 offers investor relations (IR) services, with 50% co-funding support capped at S$200,000 per listed company, aimed at undervalued companies seeking to bridge the valuation gap.
The firm's appointment reflects its 27-year track record of helping small- to mid-cap listed companies, which often struggle with weak market visibility, in their financial communications. Led by former Reuters correspondent and Merrill Lynch equity analyst Lai Kwok Kin (KK Lai), WeR1 has supported dozens of listed companies in the region for corporate strategy, IPO and crisis communications, and IR.
A core approach for the Elevate programme is WeR1's Corporate & Business Update (CBU) methodology, a disclosure-based narrative refresh designed for companies with limited analyst coverage, uneven trading liquidity, and low investor engagement. WeR1 has helped more than 30 companies articulate their corporate transformation, including Fu Yu Corporation and Zico Holdings.
KK Lai, WeR1's Founder and Managing Director, said: "We are deeply honoured to have been approved for both programmes under the MAS-SGX Value Unlock Initiative. Many smaller listcos remain undervalued because they do not communicate with clarity and consistency. WeR1 intends to bring its experience and approaches to help these companies overcome the valuation gap and increase trading liquidity."
The Value Unlock initiative is particularly significant for smaller Mainboard and Catalist issuers, which often face valuation discounts due to limited analyst coverage and investor awareness. By offering co-funding for professional services, SGX aims to encourage these companies to invest in strategic communications and investor relations, potentially improving their market standing and access to capital.
WeR1 is inviting SGX-listed companies to explore their eligibility under the Equip and Elevate programmes. The firm's appointment underscores the growing recognition that effective corporate communication is a critical driver of shareholder value, especially for smaller companies in competitive markets.
