/Companies

AWST

500 Global '22Antler

3 known investors

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AWST is a Singapore-based company building infrastructure for non-fungible tokens aimed at lowering the barrier to entry for Web3. Its platform walks users through the basics of holding and interacting with NFTs and connects to interoperable marketplaces including OpenSea, serving both first-time users and more experienced ones.

Also known as AWST Pte Ltd

Founders & leadership

AS
Aleksandar Samra
AS
Arun Sugumaran
TM
Taryn Mook

Investors · 3

500 Globallisted by 500 GlobalPalo Alto · $150K

How we know: funding news · open dataset · Top 3000 Accelerator Startups (no YC) 2026-08 · open dataset · 500 Global portfolio 2026-08 · research · technode.global · Not right? Tell us

Antlerlisted by AntlerSingapore · $125K

How we know: funding news · open dataset · Top 3000 Accelerator Startups (no YC) 2026-08 · research · technode.global · Not right? Tell us

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$1.7M disclosed across 1 round · 2022

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

Company profile

researched Sep 2026

AWST is a Singapore-based Web3 company that builds platforms allowing brands and creators to launch NFT collections across different blockchain protocols, with each deployment optimised for the requirements of the individual project. The company positions its products as infrastructure that can be integrated into clients' existing technology frameworks, and it focuses on attaching practical utility to NFTs — memberships, tickets and extended experiences — rather than treating them purely as collectibles.

The company publicly launched on 25 October 2022. At launch it described itself as the first Web3 company in Asia to work closely with Stripe to support mainstream NFT transactions, an arrangement aimed at making NFT purchases commercially viable for businesses. Its stated forward plan is to build tools and platforms that connect organisations with NFT projects in order to facilitate the exchange of value in the real world.

The awst.io domain currently hosts WorkRamen, a productivity platform offering scheduling and booking links, routing forms, payment collection at booking, visitor management with QR code check-ins, trackable document sharing and e-signatures, with integrations including Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, Google Meet, Zoom, Zapier and Stripe, and a 14-day free trial.

Founding story

AWST was founded in October 2020 by Arun Sugumaran, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, and Aleksandar Abu Samra. The founders' stated aim was to make Web3 and NFTs accessible to everyone, a vision cited by investors as the basis of their interest in the company.

Business model

AWST works with brands and organisations, building NFT launch platforms and Web3 infrastructure that integrate into clients' existing technology stacks and add utility such as memberships, tickets and experiences. The WorkRamen product hosted on the awst.io domain is offered as a subscription productivity platform with published pricing plans and a 14-day free trial requiring no credit card.

Traction

Prior to its October 2022 launch, AWST deployed an NFT vending machine at the National Gallery, which the company cited as evidence of public reception to Web3. At SWITCH 2022 it created 30 QR-code locations across the event space distributing POAP NFTs that unlocked rewards for attendees.

Latest developments

On 25 October 2022 AWST officially launched, disclosing up to US$1.7 million in funding led by East Ventures with participation from 500 Global and Antler, announcing its Stripe collaboration, and running a POAP NFT activation as community partner of SWITCH 2022.

▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography

Market position

AWST describes itself as the first Web3 company in Asia to work closely with Stripe on facilitating mainstream NFT transactions, and is backed by East Ventures, 500 Global and Antler.

Technology

AWST's platforms support launching NFT collections across multiple blockchain protocols, selecting the configuration suited to each project, and integrate with existing client systems. The company works with Stripe to enable payment for NFT transactions, and has deployed Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) NFTs distributed via QR codes as well as a physical NFT vending machine. The WorkRamen product provides calendar-synced scheduling, routing forms, Stripe-based payments, QR code visitor check-in, trackable document links with engagement insights, and legally binding e-signatures with reminders and multi-party signing.

Go-to-market

AWST pursues partnerships with payment and event platforms and acts as a community partner at industry events to demonstrate its products; it served as a community partner for Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH), held 25-28 October 2022, where its POAP NFT activation covered 30 locations across the event space.

Brands, creators and organisations seeking to launch NFT collections or engage customers and NFT communities through Web3, including event organisers. The WorkRamen product on the same domain targets small and medium-sized businesses, startups, marketing and sales teams, and professional services such as life coaches, tutors, schools, agencies and freelancers.

Geography

Headquartered in Singapore, with activities including partnerships and events in the Singapore market.

Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.

Key figures

latest reported
SWITCH 2022 POAP NFT QR code locationsOct 202230 locations

Company-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.

Timeline · 4

launches, deals, and filings
Oct 2022
AWST announces up to US$1.7M in funding led by East Ventures

AWST disclosed it had raised up to US$1.7 million led by East Ventures, with participation from 500 Global and Antler, announced alongside its official launch.

$1.7M source ↗

Oct 2022
Collaboration with Stripe for NFT transactions

AWST said it is the first Web3 company in Asia to work closely with Stripe to facilitate mainstream NFT transactions, aimed at making NFT purchases commercially viable for businesses.

source ↗

Oct 2022
AWST officially launches

The Singapore-based Web3 company officially launched on 25 October 2022, offering platforms for brands to launch NFT collections across multiple blockchain protocols.

source ↗

Oct 2022
Community partner for SWITCH 2022 with POAP NFT activation

AWST served as a community partner for the Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (SWITCH), 25-28 October 2022, creating 30 QR-code locations across the event space where attendees could claim Proof of Attendance Protocol NFTs unlocking rewards.

source ↗

Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.

▸Research sources · 8

primary sources listed

8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

What does AWST do?
Singapore-based Web3 company building NFT platforms and infrastructure that let brands launch collections across blockchain protocols.
Who founded AWST?
AWST was founded by Aleksandar Samra, Arun Sugumaran, Taryn Mook.
Who are AWST's investors?
AWST's investors include 500 Global, Antler, East Ventures.
How much funding has AWST raised?
AWST has disclosed $1.7M raised across 1 round.