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Founders of OpenGov acquire digital assets of defunct FutureGov as legal saga rumbles on

Sagar

Sagar

OpenGov Asia, a technology sector content provider, has acquired all digital assets of FutureGov which shut down earlier this year amid the financial turmoil at its parent company Alphabet Media.

OpenGov said the deal will enable it to focus on delivering “high quality content with an array of analytics”.

OpenGov was launched in January and is run by Mohit Sagar and Ellen Quek who left FutureGov in acrimonious circumstances at the end of last year.

Both were among several staff who took legal action against Alphabet Media over outstanding payment amounting to more than S$1 million (US$743,000).

FutureGov was forced to shut its doors in May “due to legacy debts which became too great to manage”.

At its launch, OpenGov described itself as offering “customised, sponsorable events ranging from small training seminars to large conferences”.

It said a specific focus would be on government, healthcare and education IT, a space FutureGov has “operated in virtually unopposed since 2003″.

Sagar, who spent five years at Alphabet Media, said of the acquisition: “We are very excited to work with our new and existing partners, using their proprietary software.

“Our platform will enhance the user experience to deliver current information about the use of technology within government. Our platform is dynamic, it keeps up with the modern and progressive environment, where as we know, technology is changing at a rapid rate.”

He said it will leverage its digital assets to provide an “upgraded interface to its audience”.

“We are working to combine our events and digital arm, with the sole focus on improving user experience to all parties involved,” he said.

Along with Sagar and Quek, several other individuals who spoke at FutureGov conferences were seeking money they say they are owed.

Debt collectors moved in on Alphabet Media’s Singapore headquarters earlier this year, only to be told by company founder, James Smith, there were no funds left.

Sagar told Mumbrella that while he was pressing on with legal proceedings the action was currently “on hold” due to the inability to find anyone to answer or contest the case.

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