From ICOs to regional expansion to local achievements, here’s a look at the latest from finalists at last year’s TOP100 Vietnam Qualifiers
More than a pitching event, the Echelon TOP100 Qualifiers are a platform that fosters insights, connections, talent, and funding opportunities for early-stage startups across Southeast Asia. e27 kicked off TOP100 with a bang this year, and we’re all set to visit 17 countries around the region in search for the most promising early-stage startups out there.
Let’s take some time to revisit some of the TOP100 startup participants from 2018 and see where they are and what they have achieved so far since then. In particular, let’s take a look at Vietnam, which is unique for its two startup hubs and which is currently experiencing an influx of foreign-born, ethnically Vietnamese people returning to the country. The country’s startup ecosystem is also doing well as 2019 kicked off, with Vietnam ranking well in terms of deal flow and size, at least in January.
Also read: Vietnam stars in January as e27 data tracks US$1.5B in deals
Eleven startups vied for TOP100 in Vietnam in 2018, and here’s what’s up with them lately:
689Cloud
Selected as the Judges’ Choice in last year’s Vietnam Qualifier, 689Cloud is a private cloud platform that simplifies secure file-sharing and collaboration for enterprises. The company has since gained recognition for its contribution to Ho Chi Minh City’s smart city initiatives.
Also read: 689Cloud secures your files on cloud and beyond
Aversafe
Aversafe is a blockchain-backed credential issuance and verification network. Aversafe’s verifiable digital credentials protect individuals, employers and certificate issuers from credential fraud. Prior to its participation in TOP100 Vietnam Qualifiers in 2018, Aversafe was part of Cofound.it’s initial group of blockchain startups provided with seed funding prior to their initial coin offerings.
CyFeer
CyFeer is a technology solutions provider that focuses in improving the rental ecosystem in its target markets. With seed funding from VIISA, CyFeer’s primary product is CyHome, which provides a platform for property and rental management. In October 2018, CyFeer participated as a finalist in Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks’ annual elevator pitch competition. In December, the company also pitched at VIISA Investment Day #4 as an alumni of the accelerator’s 2nd cohort.
Contractium
Contractium is a platform that helps users deploy smart contract and issue tokens on blockchains easily without technical knowledge and skills. The blockchain company’s ICO is currently live and has raised 860,220,371 “CTU” tokens, which at the ICO price is equivalent to around 57,348 ETH or US$5.93 million.
FINIZZ
FINIZZ aims to address the basic problems in healthcare delivery, including lack of information and access to healthcare profesionnals. The company provides a booking system, database of doctors, and community reviews.
Hand Free
Hand Free is a marketplace for local services, which include household service providers such as plumbers and electricians, as well as other professionals or creatives.
HiKaMi Digital
HiKaMi Digital specializes in designing, developing and producing IoT devices that interact directly with consumers and their favorite products, with a key focus on the packaged goods industries. Its first product is BOx, a connected bottle opener that automatically updates friends when one opens a beer bottle — with the hopes of bringing friends together for drinks. The product raised CHF 19,630 on Kickstarter (around US$19,500). Its next product is the WeCheer, which is a connected bottle opener that provides a gamified experience for the bar culture and bartending business.
Also read: 15 more awesome startups that will be apart of TOP100 APAC 2019
International Alumni Job Network (IAJN)
IAJN is a job market network for the international education sector that is student data-driven and student employment outcome-focused. The platform connects students, alumni, educators and employers, with the aim of enriching the world through shared educational experiences, greater understanding between people and cultures and meaningful careers. In November, IAJN launched its IAJN Connections Professional Network Event, an exclusive event for international student gradautes and alumni to meet one another and develop their professional networks in Vietnam.
Meete
Meete is a platform that allows diners to get discounts with partner F&B outlets with successful campaigns such as “Happy Day” under its belt.
WinCorp
WinMe by WinCorp offers e-commerce users an opportunity to win products they desire but are too expensive for their reach. The company partners with brands in getting more visibility for their products by entering these in as prizes.
WisePass
WisePass WisePass is a lifestyle subscription service platform that allows its members to redeem a set meal, bottle service, Starbucks coffee, VIP access to special events in town and more every single day, all for around $250 subscription per month. The service currently has expanded its offering to over 200 venues in HCMC, Hanoi, Bangkok, Manila and soon Jakarta.
Be part of TOP100
Want to be part of TOP100? Here’s everything you need to know to take your first step toward accelerating your company across Southeast Asia.
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Photo by Lukasz Saczek on Unsplash
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