Only a month in the past, Quest’s founders had been listed below the Forbes 30 Beneath 30 Asia 2025 listing—a significant milestone for the homegrown startup.
Launched in June 2021 by then-SMU undergraduates Craig Choy, Evan Chow, and Matthew Wu, Quest is an AI-powered platform that matches gig staff with freelance jobs, from wedding ceremony hosts to part-time content material creators.
It was born out of a want to revive the failed makes an attempt of earlier startups. A decade in the past, when TaskRabbit was identified to be the go-to platform for hiring people to run errands, the city-state noticed an inflow of comparable companies in Singapore, however these native variations finally fizzled out, tormented by challenges equivalent to restricted market demand, labour shortages, and razor-thin revenue margins.
However 10 years is a very long time, and the panorama appears prefer it has shifted. Quest appears to have landed at simply the correct second, and it’s clearly gaining traction.
In accordance with its web site, the platform has amassed over 450,000 registered customers throughout Singapore, the US, and the Philippines, and collectively they’ve earned greater than US$6 million in gig earnings by way of the app.
The startup has additionally secured over US$500,000 in funding from traders, together with Antler and Oneness Holding.
A platform for every part and something
On Quest’s platform, customers (and companies) can listing nearly something, together with errands and odd jobs. These are picked up by “heroes” who settle for the duty in return for a money reward set by the person.
Posting a job is free, however the platform prices a reserving payment as soon as a hero accepts the job.
Whereas looking the app, we got here throughout some fairly entertaining listings—one person even paid for a boosted put up in a bid to get rapid assist escaping a disastrous date.
In any case, as Quest’s tagline places it, you may “rent a hero for just about something.”
Since customers set their very own costs for duties, we additionally observed a variety of charges for related jobs, however because the saying goes, it’s a case of prepared purchaser, prepared vendor. The screenshot above exhibits completely different costs for the same job, seemingly as a result of one is extra time-sensitive than the opposite.
For these uncertain of how you can worth their job, nevertheless, Quest provides AI-powered instruments that suggest a good price. In accordance with its web site, the system attracts on information from related duties and takes into consideration components equivalent to problem, required ability stage, urgency, location, and present market demand.
To get began on the platform, you may obtain the Quest app from the App Retailer or Play Retailer—however for a good easier possibility, simply WhatsApp Quest straight.
There’s no have to navigate the app and even create an account. Merely message what you want, whether or not it’s operating errands, hiring part-timers, or discovering inventive expertise, and Quest’s AI-powered concierge will handle the remainder. Do notice that there might be an extra S$10 reserving payment, although.
With platforms like Quest, security is unquestionably a key concern. To minimise dangers of crime, particularly for duties involving beneficial items, it has applied measures, together with requiring customers to confirm their identification by way of Singpass.
All chat interactions inside the app are additionally public till a transaction is made. A non-public chat between customers and heroes will solely be opened as soon as the job has been accomplished and fee processed, however even then, Quest’s crew actively displays conversations for security and transparency.
Why Quest works and why now?
With person numbers climbing, Quest appears to be thriving regardless of its predecessors having struggled to outlive in the identical area.
So, what’s completely different this time round?
A lot of it comes right down to timing and shifting wants. At the moment’s financial system is way extra gig-friendly—a pattern accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which essentially reshaped how individuals take into consideration employment.
Extra people have begun turning to gig jobs and versatile employment, and in Singapore, this shift has been notably noticeable. As of 2022, the nation had round 88,400 platform staff, making up 3.6% of the resident labour power, a big improve in comparison with earlier years.
Quest capitalises on this shift by offering a platform that caters to individuals on the lookout for versatile, task-based earnings. It provides one thing conventional job portals don’t: rapid, hassle-free earnings alternatives with minimal pink tape.
Comfort can also be a significant draw. Duties will be listed and picked up inside minutes, and customers can money out their earnings shortly, typically even on the identical day. Most capabilities inside the platform are additionally automated.
With these benefits, Quest has constructed a sturdy bridge between provide and demand within the on-demand labour market.
The place earlier platforms stumbled, it’s proving that with the correct timing, tech, and belief, the gig financial system can lastly ship.
- Discover out extra about Quest right here.
- Learn different articles we’ve written on Singaporean startups right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: Quest
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