People usually respond better to such visuals that tell a story

“Clutter and confusion are not attributes of data – they are shortcomings of design.” – Edward Tufte

So, what is data visualisation?

Well, data visualisation is a coherent way to communicate quantitative content visually. Depending on its attributes, the data can be represented in various ways, such as pie charts, bar charts, line graphs, scatter plot, or map. 

The image below is an excellent example of great data visualisation.

Source: graphics.wsj.com

Data visualisations should be visually appealing, useful, and never misleading.

Hence, web designers must adhere to the best practices in data visualisation and come up with the best way to present the data set visually. Today, most of the web design companies in NYC are implementing the data visualisation best practices to deliver user-engaging designs for their clients. 

Why do you need to use data visualisation?

As per IBM, every day, 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are being created.

As the world is becoming more and more connected with a large number of electronic devices, this data volume will continuously grow exponentially. Our human brain is not capable of comprehending all these data without drawing some abstract analogy. 

Image Source: Toptal

Big data becomes useless if it cannot be consumed and comprehended in a meaningful and useful way. This is why data visualisation has become so important not only in web design techniques but also in economics, science, services related to healthcare, and many more. 

Here is a list of 5 data visualisation best practices in web design:

 

1. Know your audience

The first and foremost step to create an impressive data visualisation is to have a clear idea of what you want to say and who your target audience is. 

You need to have a clear idea of what kind of questions your target audience cares about and what kind of answers your data visualisation is delivering to them. Not everyone processes data in the same way. Hence, defining a clear purpose through data visualisation is crucial.

For instance, a sales manager and a chief financial officer have different perspectives to understand profitability on a probability dashboard.

Hence, to create the perfect data visualisation, you need to make sure that you know your target audience well and accordingly design data visualization to which your audience can relate the most.

2. Show data using visual features

A variety of charts like line charts, bar charts, pie charts, scatter plots, etc. are available to present data in the best way. 

Here’s an example of using bar charts.

Source: Our World in Data

Now, which chart to use where entirely depends on the expertise of the designer’s artistic and creative mind! The right chart will not only make the data easy-to-understand but also present it in the most accurate light.

Well, to make the right choice of visual feature, you need to consider what type of data you are conveying and who your target audience is.

3. Use visual hierarchy and messaging and create a narrative flow

The best-in-class data visualisations can tell intriguing stories. These stories can turn raw data into useful information. Now, these stories can emerge from outliners, correlations, or trends in the data. 

If you are thinking that data visualisation is all about showing numbers only then you are wrong! How can you tell a great story without words? Here comes the utilisation of messaging. With the right visual hierarchy, you can guide the reader step by step through the data. 

Also Read: The big data heroes of today: citizen data scientists

4. Label data points directly

To make it easily understandable what an optical element is representing, it is essential to label it. 

Many designers use labels to tell the readers which colours or which symbols are representing what in the charts. However, it puts an unnecessary strain on the readers’ eyes and minds as they are forced to look back and forth between the data and the labels.

As a better alternative, you can label the data points directly on the chart.

Yes, sometimes it is a bit challenging for the designer, but being able to overcome the challenge is the key to success for a skilled and creative designer! You can’t let your readers go through the pain just because you want to skip some extra work. 

5. Design iteratively

Data visualisation should be done in such a way that it is not only easily understandable to customers but also can deliver the best results.

To do so, once you get the list of requirements, start with designing the concept proofs along with the prototypes.

Then, evoke feedback in an interactive setting and accordingly, revise it. It is better to avoid analysis paralysis. 

Wrapping up

The best data visualisations communicate a data set effectively and clearly by using graphics. It creates an engaged, data-driven business culture.

To encourage this encouragement further, you can send scheduled email reports and metric-driven notifications.

Also Read: 10 data security predictions by Gartner for the year 2020

Understanding your corporate culture, your audience, along with human nature as a whole, is the key to proper data visualisation. 

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Image Credit: Luke Chesser

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In yet another development, Chinese microblogging website Weibo has taken down an Instagram-like app just three days after its launch

gojek on track to raise US$2B before 2019 end, says chief [DealStreetAsia]

gojek is on track to raise US$2 billion in its ongoing funding round before the end of the year, accelerating capital-raising to drive an expansion into mobile payments and food delivery.

The ride-hailing giant has now handled about US$1.5 billion of transactions outside of Indonesia, thanks to a budding expansion into the rest of Southeast Asia, President Andre Soelistyo told Haslinda Amin on Bloomberg Television.

Backed by Google and Tencent Holdings, gojek has rapidly grown an international business from scratch after setting up shop in countries like Singapore and Vietnam just nine months prior, he said.

Lyft faces sexual assault lawsuit [TechCrunch]

Fourteen women today filed a lawsuit against Lyft alleging the company has not addressed complaints pertaining to sexual assault, including rape. The suit, filed today in the Superior Court of San Francisco, seeks special, general and punitive damages, among other types of relief.

Also Read: Startups should adopt the glocalisation mode of design and thinking: Reefknot Investments’s Marc Dragon

In one case, a woman describes a Lyft driver who ended the ride more than one mile away from her house, locked the doors, told her, “I love you” and took her phone, the suit claims. It goes on to describe how he eventually pulled over the car so he could climb into the back seat, the suit alleges. That’s when he “grabbed her face to forcefully kiss her, at which time she slapped him, breaking a finger; then eventually driving her to a beach – where he raped her.”

China’s Weibo takes down Instagram-like app after logo plagiarism spat [Reuters]

Chinese microblogging website Weibo Corp has taken down an Instagram-like app just three days after its launch and apologised following accusations of plagiarism about the app’s logo, a stumble in efforts to find new sources of growth.

Weibo, launched by Sina Corp in 2009, is one of China’s most established social networking companies, alongside the likes of Tencent Holdings. But it has been seeking new ways to grow in the face of competition from startups, including short video apps Douyin and Kuaishou.

The company, backed by Alibaba Group Holdings, launched image-sharing app Oasis on Monday. Media likened it to Facebook Inc’s Instagram app as it had a similar interface and allowed users to browse, share and edit photos and videos through the app. Instagram is blocked in China.

FPL Tech raises $4.5 million from Matrix, Sequoia [The Economic Times]

First Principles Labs Technologies has raised US$4.5 million from Matrix Partners India and Sequoia India, in its first round of funding. The startup, which has already launched OneScore App for credit tracking, will also look to offer credit cards to consumers in partnership with banks.

“We believe there are another 60-65 million customers who have a good credit score who have taken loans and repaid in the past, but do not have a credit card; we can cater to that market,” said Anurag Sinha, CEO, FPL Tech, who earlier co-founded digital lending platform Walnut, which was acquired by Capital Float last year.

TIW Private Equity acquires majority stake in Digital Refresh Networks [press release]

Indian buyout firm TIW Private Equity has acquired a majority stake in Mumbai-based digital platform management firm, Digital Refresh Networks.

“The deal size is approx. US$6 million, giving Digital Refresh bandwidth to strengthen its core services and for acquisitions.

Digital Refresh Networks (formerly Digital F5) was founded in 2011 in Mumbai by Ravi Dubey and Barin Mukherjee. It enables delivery of brand objectives on the web, mobile and social media through communication and commerce applications, audio-video elements and customized digital solutions. The company plans to utilise the proceeds from the investment to strengthen its expertise in content creation.

 

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UCommune and TechNode will complement each other by forming an O2O technology ecosystem to connect China and the international community

TechNode, an online technology and entrepreneurship news platform in China, has closed pre-Series B funding round of “tens of millions of RMB”.

Leading co-working operator UCommune and investment firm XCGT Holding Group participated in the round.

With this funding, TechNode aims to increase its global outreach with international technology innovation as its core strategy, as well as accelerate the expansion of its international influence through media, branding, and data-sourcing.

The company also aims to become an innovation platform connecting global companies with Chinese innovation.

Also Read: The raging Amazon forest fires: Why businesses need to step up for climate change

Started in 2007 by Lu Gang, TechNode is an online platform that provided information on China’s tech and startup ecosystems. TechNode’s media is available in four languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian. Approximately 40 per cent of its millions of monthly readers resides in 160 countries and regions worldwide.

In 2018, TechNode expanded its core offerings to include six business units — TN Media, TN Inno (corporate innovation services), TN Global, TN Events (branding and event services), TN Data (startup ecosystem database), and TN VC (venture capital and financing services). Through these initiatives, it supports and connects the startup ecosystem between China and the rest of the world.

TechNode has worked closely with many key players in various industries, including CITIC Group, Fung Group, BMW China, Merck Group, andUnilever.

Synergy with UCommune

TechNode’s services, including industry consulting, entrepreneurship training, business incubation, and venture capital financing, are consistent with the needs of the UCommune customer base, according to a press release. Through this investment, the strategic cooperation between UCommune and TechNode will be strengthened. TechNode will help enhance UCommune’s dynamic and entrepreneurial innovation environment.

For international collaboration, UCommune and TechNode will complement each other by forming an O2O (online-offline) technology ecosystem to connect China and the international community.

Mao Daqing, Founder and Chairman of UCommune, said: “The strategic partnership between UCommune and TechNode will diversify our space offerings and accelerate the interconnectedness and innovation between domestic and international entrepreneurs.”

“TechNode’s strategy has always been global. Over the years, we have built a great reputation in the global technology industry. This partnership with UCommune will be built upon an online-offline global strategy to benefit the global innovation and tech ecosystem for both parties,” said Lu Gang, Founder and CEO of TechNode.

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Also, Singapore-based Pand.AI launches AI engine TE01, and Singapore-founded doctor network Docquity enters Japan, South Korea

Google announces Android 10’s official release [Press Release]

Google just announced the arrival of Android 10 that it says focus on everyday life-friendly
features powered by on-device machine learning and new technologies like Foldables and 5G.

Android 10 is said to have almost 50 changes related to privacy and security. Some of the highlights are:

Smart Reply that now suggests actions that allows integration with required apps such as maps for text that contains an address or YouTube for messages that have a YouTube video link shared

Single tap Live Caption that automatically caption videos, podcasts, and audio messages across any app, to be available in Pixel first before other Android devices

A new Privacy section under Settings that has all important controls like Web & App Activity and Ad Settings in one place.

Also Read: GOPAY becomes payment option in Google Play in Indonesia, reaching underserved market

New Digital Wellbeing settings, aimed at parents that can use these tools to set digital ground rules like daily screen time limits, device bedtime, time limits on specific apps, and more. They can also review the apps children install on their devices, as well as their usage.

Digital Wellbeing also brings a Focus mode that allows users to select the apps they find distracting—such as email or the news—and silence them until they come out of Focus mode.

Android 10 has begun rolling out to Pixel phones and can be accessed starting today.

Singapore-based NLP chatbots startup Pand.ai launches AI engine TE01 [TechGenyz]

Singapore-grown AI startup Pand.ai Pte. Ltd. announces the official launch of its AI engine, TE01. TE01 has the ability to generate Natural Language Processing (NLP) models that promise to cut error rate for intent classification by up to 25% while also significantly slow down NLP decay.

Pand.ai is deemed as one of the pioneers in the region when it comes to making Transfer-Learning based NLP chatbots commercial. After winning an open tender to build an AI chatbot for Great Eastern Life Singapore (GELS) with the prototype of TE01, there have been models generated using TE01 put into production ever since.

GELS also becomes one of the firsts to use TE01 engine in the form of an integrated AI chatbot GERICA, which can perform inquiries like claim status check and policy details.

The new TE01 engine is built based on Transfer-Learning, a specific NLP method, which was first published by the research community in mid-2018 and is believed to be a more elegant solutions compared to existing NLP methods.

Doctors’ network startup Docquity to expand operations into Japan, South Korea [Nikkei Asian Review]

Docquity, a social network for doctors based in Singapore, announces that it seeks to raise up to US$35M by last year to be able to penetrate North Asian market, including Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Also Read: Medical professionals social network Docquity secures US$11M Series B funding

After closing US$11 million Series B round back in March, Docquity is now valued at US$50 million.

Docquity claims to have a user base of 110,000 registered professionals across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The company operates a private network, so that doctors can exchange medical notes and patient information more freely.

Next in the pipeline for the company is the launch search engine called “Dx” to analyse conversations and data on its platform to produce insights that are more relevant for its Asia-focused network and partners.

Traveltech platform Traveloka launches insurtech services [Kr-Asia]

Indonesian online travel platform unicorn Traveloka has expanded into digital insurance segment with Traveloka Protect.

In an official statement, the company said that it will offer “convenient insurance products at affordable prices”, which is a result of the partnership with insurance company Astra Life.

Users will be able to choose between six months or one year coverage period of premium and sum insured. Its lowest premium is IDR70.000 (US$ 5) for six-month coverage with the sum insured of IDR25 million (US$1,800).

Before tapping into digital insurance, Traveloka has already introduced a home protection insurance for users away for the holidays. It also launched a Schengen visa insurance aimed at Indonesian pilgrims planning to visit Europe.

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Rever plans to open 30 additional large experience centres within the next 18 months and expand into Hanoi and other coastal cities

GEC-KIP Technology and Innovation Fund (GEC-KIP Fund), a S$120 million (US$87M) venture fund launched last year by Singapore-based Golden Equator Capital and Korea Investment Partners, has invested US$2.3 million in Vietnam’s proptech platform, Rever.

The investment will help the Ho Chi Minh City-based startup to deepen its presence in the home country, where over 200,000 real estate transactions take place each year.

The proptech company plans to open 30 additional large experience centres within the next 18 months to better serve its clients and start expanding beyond Ho Chi Minh City into key markets such as Hanoi and other coastal cities, it said in a press statement.

The fund-raise will also further enable Rever’s continuous efforts in building on its technology, valuation engine, recruitment drive, and operations to improve customer experience and operational excellence.

This marks GEC-KIP Fund’s second investment into a proptech company in the region. In September 2018, it led a S$4 million (US$2.9 million) round in Singapore’s Ohmyhome.

Also Read: Temasek teams up with Swiss firm to launch a US$50M logistics fund in Singapore

Founded in 2016 by Manh Phan, former Marketing Director of Zalo, Vietnam’s #1 messaging and social platform, Rever has nearly 7,000 agencies and more than 100,000 hobbyist agents.

Rever works with real estate agents to provide tailored services to clients both for living and for investment, from the discovery process to the purchase. The company claims to have generated over US$1.5 million in revenues in 2018 and expects to triple it in 2019, having done almost 1,000 transactions year-to-date.

Minh Phan, Co-founder and CFO of Rever, said: “Real estate markets globally are seeing major shifts from the traditional way of transacting to more tech-enabled ways. Technology has enabled agents to serve more clients and more efficiently, helping buyers make the property selection and purchase process safer and helping sellers make the valuation and asset transfer process more expedient. With our investors’ support and network, we are well-poised for a more accelerated growth this year and become the market leader in Vietnam.”

Rever operates in both the primary and secondary real estate markets, allowing it to have a healthy revenue model and a 360-degrees view of the domestic real estate market. The company works with established real estate developers in Vietnam such as Keppel Land and Khang Dien and has helped support the sales of recently launched high-profile projects such as Empire City and Diamond Island.

Daren Tan, Managing Partner for Venture Investments at Golden Equator Capital, said, “We are bullish on tech-based next-generation service platforms that help bring efficiencies to traditional service industries, yet having offline touchpoints for better customer service and gaining trust. Existing case studies such as the decacorn Lianjia in China show that this hybrid offline-and-online proptech model can succeed in a very fragmented market like Vietnam. Alongside existing investors, we will provide Rever with the support to become the leading digital hybrid agency in Vietnam that offers an efficient and transparent experience to home buyers and sellers.”

Synclare Kim, Executive Director at Korea Investment Partners, will be joining Rever’s Board of Directors.

“The diverse background of the founding team at Rever and their extensive experience at some of the country’s largest tech players such as VNG and Grab, gives us confidence that the management is well-positioned to continue ramping up growth rapidly. We are looking forward to an exciting journey ahead with the team,” Kim said.

Rever’s investors for the previous rounds included Le Hong Minh, Founder and Chairman of VNG, Vietnam’s only unicorn; Phan Minh Tam, Founder and Chairman of 24h Group, the country’s leading news portal; and investment management firm VinaCapital Ventures.

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Reefknot looks to invest in Series A- and B-stage startups in AI/deeptech, digital logistics, and trade finance

Reefknot Investments, a joint venture between Temasek Holdings and Kuehne + Nagel International (a Swiss transport and logistics company), has announced a US$50 million global fund, based in Singapore.

Headed by Managing Director Marc Dragon, Reefknot will seek opportunities in domains at the forefront of the supply chain and logistics industry, including Artificial Intelligence/deeptech, digital logistics, and trade finance. It looks to support the growth of Series A- and Series B-stage startups.

The first fund looks to invest in six to eight high-growth startups, globally.

Reefknot claims its portfolio companies will be able to leverage the business insights of Temasek, and the logistics and supply chain expertise of Kuehne + Nagel.

Also Read: 5 reasons to be bullish on logistics tech in Asia

“Driven by the combination of explosive global technology developments and growth especially in the emerging economies in Asia Pacific, companies across global value chains are increasingly re-evaluating business models as well as investing in technology to optimise capture of demand as well as improve cost and operational efficiencies. Reefknot is committed to shaping this development not just by investing in high-potential startups, but also creating a community of industry experts to support and sustain this growth,” said Dragon.

A Gartner report forecasts that at least 50 per cent of large global companies will be using AI, advanced analytics and IoT in supply chain operations by 2023. This alludes to growing investments in transformational technologies that will be critical to the competitiveness and success of organisations in the dynamic supply chain and logistics space.

Temasek and Kuehne + Nagel had earlier announced that they will accelerate the development of innovative businesses in the supply chain and logistics industry through a focused and long-term oriented investment strategy.

A blueprint for this vision includes the establishment of a Think Tank, which aims to synergise new business models and technologies. It will act as a launchpad for startups seeking to positively create value and impact for the supply chain and logistics industry.

Also Read: 5 reasons to be bullish on logistics tech in Asia

Reefknot is working leading venture ecosystem partners, including EDBI, SGInnovate, Atlantic Bridge, Vertex Ventures, PSA unBoXed, Unilever Foundry and NUS Enterprise.

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Providing an avenue for people to connect may be the edge that helps your business stand out

Whether it is the ease and convenience of Singapore, the vibrancy of Bangkok or the fun and sun of Manila, Southeast Asia is growing into one of the most important events regions in the world.

To prove this point, Cvent, an events-focused SaaS company, announced their top-25 Asian events destinations and the list is dominated by Southeast Asian cities.

Plus, it did not just include major hubs like Jakarta or Hanoi, it also included smaller places like Phuket (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia) and Pasay City (the Philippines).

Also Read: If you’re going to attend one event next month, let it be Echelon Roadshow 2019 Kuala Lumpur

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fasting growing economic regions, so the events industry is certain to ride positive macroeconomic trends. While trade wars have created some headwinds, Focus-Economics predicts external economics will only provide a slight drag on growth.

This means that an already dynamic events industry should continue to see robust growth in the coming decade.

Global companies are also taking note, highlighted by Eventbrite’s launch in Singapore on February 2019.

The company justified the move by pointing to a “rich and growing events industry”, a “passionate community of events creators” and a consumer base that enjoys the diversity of events.

The region has a variety of service providers; making it easy to find traditional companies or startups that can help with vendor procurement, operations management and even filling a dope swag bag.

Plus — and this is important! — Southeast Asia boasts fantastic food that is sure to make guests salivate. An event is nothing without good food, and Southeast Asia is one of the best food regions in the world.

Why invest in events?

 Events are not simply a morale booster or a complicated networking activity, there is a lot of evidence that suggests they can make a direct, and positive, impact on a business.

According to Bizzabo, a software company, 41 per cent of respondents said offline events are the most important driver of business and 85 per cent said it is essential to their marketing strategy.

Furthermore, the study suggests the most lucrative strategy is to host events — rather than either attending or sponsoring. Yes, hosting an event takes more time and money, but the return is often much more valuable.

95 per cent of people from the Bizzabo survey said its a crucial opportunity to make deeper connections with their customers and 80 per cent of high-performing respondents plan to increase their events budget.

Somewhat ironically, it may be the increasingly digitalised nature of our work that makes events more attractive.

As people spend more and more time on their computers, they increasingly seek avenues for personal and professional connections. This means spending time attending conferences, corporate parties and educational seminars.

If someone is going out of their way to attend, for example, a coding event hosted by a local tech company, it is almost guaranteed they will spend a fairly significant amount of time researching the host company.

Also Read: This events startup takes team building up a notch with adventurous and thrilling activities

Assuming the event is a success, that business may suddenly find itself with a few more loyal customers and it will certainly keep old customers coming back.

These means Asia is a fantastic region for events

 Another important characteristic of doing business in Asia is that people place a lot of value on human-to-human interaction.

Often, a typical Asian consumer might choose a company because they know the team or had the opportunity to chat with the CEO.

Furthermore, if we also include the fact that small business has always been the backbone of Southeast Asian economics — and startups are making their name in the region — event management firms are becoming an absolutely essential part of running a company in the region.

No matter the motivation, event management is an incredibly important service operating in a high growth industry.

It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

Don’t get left behind, make sure your business is, at the very least, making sure to invest time and energy investigating Asia’s event management industry.

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Editor’s note: e27 publishes relevant guest contributions from the community. Share your honest opinions and expert knowledge by submitting your content here.

Join our e27 Telegram group here, or our e27 contributor Facebook page here.

Image Credit: Jakob Dalbjörn

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In addition to ZAO, we also have updates from Eden Farm, Facebook, and Indonesia’s BRI

New viral Chinese face-swapping app raises security concern – Reuters

ZAO, a new viral Chinese app that enables users to swap faces with celebrities or any other person in a video clip, secures millions of downloads over the weekend as it raises security concerns, Reuters wrote.

The app was produced by NYSE-listed live streaming service Momo Inc.

ZAO was uploaded to China’s iOS App Store on Friday and became the most-downloaded free app in China’s iOS App Store as of September 1, according to App Annie.

Its user agreement stated that consumers who upload their images to ZAO agree to surrender the intellectual property rights to their face, and permit ZAO to use their images for marketing purposes.

“We thoroughly understand the anxiety people have toward privacy concerns,” the company said.

“We have received the questions you have sent us. We will correct the areas we have not considered and require some time.”

Momo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Indonesian agritech startup Eden Farm raises US$1.7M seed funding round – Dealstreet Asia

Indonesian agritech startup Eden Farm has raised a US$1.7 million seed funding round led by Global Founders Capital, Dealstreet Asia reported.

The startup has previously raised an investment from Silicon Valley-based accelerator Y Combinator.

Founded in 2017, the West Jakarta-based startup works with local farmers to deliver fresh vegetables produces to restaurants in Indonesia.

Also Read: Chinese apps to let you grow, trade and eat your own sheep

Indonesia’s BRI to acquire a fintech startup – Tempo

Following the appointment of its new managing director Sunarso, Indonesian state-owned bank Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) is considering to expand its fintech offerings, particularly in the micro lending segment, Tempo wrote.

However, the company is still considering how to best provide these services: Through its subsidiary, by acquiring a new company, or by collaborating with a potential partner.

“We aim to go ‘smaller and shorter’ [in terms of the loan we provide]. This is why BRI needs to have its own fintech business unit, in addition to having the capacity and capability of a fintech company,” Sunarso said.

Facebook might also hide its Like counter feature – TechCrunch

Social media giant Facebook might soon start hiding the Like counter feature on its News Feed posts, following the implementation of similar mechanism on Instagram, TechCrunch reported.

The prototype of the feature was first spotted by reverse engineering master Jane Manchun Wong on the platform’s Android app.

Facebook itself has confirmed that it is considering testing removal of Like counts, though the testing is not live yet.

The company also declined to share results from the Instagram Like count hiding tests, its exact motives, and any schedule for starting testing.

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Image Credit: Shahadat Shemul on Unsplash

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Oyo says this deal will help Oyo to be more accurate with pricing, leading to higher efficiencies and yield for its real estate owners

Oyo Hotels & Homes, a leading budget hotels aggregator in Asia, has acquired Danamica, a Copenhagen-based data science company, specialied in dynamic pricing.

While the transaction details remain undisclosed, a TechCrunch report has pegged the amount at US$10 million.  

This acquisition is in line with Oyo’s plans to grow its global vacation rentals business through strategic investments in technology products, processes, and people. 

Earlier in August, Oyo committed to investing €300M (US$328M) in the vacation homes business in Europe, with a particular focus on strengthening the relationship with homeowners and enabling them with the resources, including technology investments, required to deliver chic hospitality experiences. 

With the acquisition of Danamica, Oyo will be able to drive top-line growth by leveraging dynamic pricing across all its brands — Oyo Home, Belvilla and DanCenter. Additionally, Oyo and its real estate partners will benefit using data sciences for improved yield. 

Also Read: Disrupting venture capital in Southeast Asia and the competition around it

Maninder Gulati, Global Head, Oyo Vacation and Urban Homes, and Chief Strategy Officer, Oyo Hotels & Homes, said: “This will help us to be more accurate with pricing, leading to higher efficiencies and yield for its real estate owners and value for money for our millions of global guests.”

“Data sciences across pricing, AI, and Imaging Sciences have been a cornerstone of Oyo’s proprietary revenue enhancement technology. It is also a huge missing piece in the way traditional vacation rentals industry is run. We are glad to have found Danamica, which has built expertise in these areas,” he added.

Danamica is a Machine Learning and business intelligence company specialising in pricing time-expiring inventory such as rental of vacation homes. Its technology makes it possible to dynamically set optimal prices for vacation home stays as supply/demand changes – to the benefit of both guests and owners. 

With the implementation of ML-enabled pricing and revenue management, Oyo’s customers will be able to book a vacation home at the best price.

Headquartered in Noida, Oyo has a significant presence in Southeast Asia. It entered the region in 2016 with Malaysia and has grown its presence to over 125 cities across Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The company said it aims to add 2 million rooms under management in Southeast Asia by 2025. 

Recently, Oyo announced its plan to expand its presence in 100 cities in Indonesia by the end of this year. As part of this, the company also committed US$100 million over the next five years.

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The second instalment of TechLaw.Fest will happen on September 5-6 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

TechLaw.Fest, a two-day conference highlighting the law industry and its trends, will come back this year for its second edition from September 5-6 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.

This year, TechLaw.Fest will mainly focus on the state of Asia legal innovation, in particular, on issues surrounding data such as responsible data use, its access and control, security and 5G, and the role of data in commerce.

In its official statement, it is said that the event will be opened by Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam. The opening keynote will be from Sir Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the World Wide Web (WWW).

TechLaw.Fest is organised by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), Singapore’s Ministry of Law and MP Singapore. It is expected to attract a crowd of 1,500 international delegates and visitors, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists, lawyers, and policymakers from about 18 countries.

There will be 60 speakers in a series of panel discussions and seminars covering Law of Technology such as Blockchain & Smart Contracts, and AI & Robotics. Participating law firms and legal departments will also share practical steps to transform old ways of doing, encourage new ways of thinking, and implement new ways of the legal industry.

Also Read: Singaporean law firm Rajah & Tann acquires AI-powered startup LegalComet

Moreover, the event will also present Tech Talks on data visualisation, legal design, venture capital for legal tech, and innovation in legal education featuring 40 partners, exhibitors, and startups. Names such as DXC Technology (USA), Thomson Reuters (USA), Luminance (UK), Pravoved (Russia), Sorbonne-Assas International Law School (France), and Clifford Chance (Singapore), are all confirmed participants.

“Digital innovation is helping law firms and in-house law departments become more efficient, relevant and client-centric, especially for the lawtech scene in Asia,” said William Deckelman, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, DXC Technology.

Some highlights for the event is the experiential space at TechLaw.Fest called The SAL Lounge. It will host networking sessions alongside tech demos and interactive tech consultations.

One of these demos will debut LawNetPLUS, a portal that will integrate the legal industry’s services, including those offered by SAL.

“We expect LawNetPLUS to become the platform … to bring together technology and services for the entire profession, so it will increase accessibility to the ever-expanding pool of services targeting the legal community,” said Serene Wee, Chief Executive of SAL.

Also Read: Download these free legal templates for SEA tech startups

Thomson Reuters, the official partner of the event, will host TR Ignite, a pitching competition that seeks to give a platform to early-stage startups in Asia Pacific’s legal and regulatory space.

This competition will give 10 startups a chance to secure up to US$250,000 in funding and offer a place on GLIDE, SAL’s legaltech accelerator.

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