Techstars, Aussie real-estate fund manager EG to drive more investment into APAC

Techstars, a global platform for innovation and investment, and EG, an Australian real estate fund manager, have partnered to drive more investment and startup connections in the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on the proptech and fintech sectors.

Through this partnership, EG joins the global network as part of the Techstars Pathfinder membership programme.

Will Robinson, Vice President for Asia-Pacific, Techstars, said: “With this partnership, Techstars will be able to support EG with their investment and innovation agenda tapping into more than 2,100 portfolio companies from all over the world, (with 500+ added each year), to provide up-to-date and detailed views across a wide range of interest areas, tailored introductions to interesting startups, and data-driver reports and analysis.”

Ryde to allow users to pay for rides using bitcoin

Singapore’s social carpooling app Ryde has launched a cryptocurrency wallet that allows users to pay for rides using bitcoin.

Customers can now convert their bitcoin into Ryde coins to top up their RydePay wallet and pay for their travel.

This feature will be available for all users in Singapore.

At present, one RydeCoin is valued at one Singapore dollar.

Over the next nine months, the firm plans to introduce Ethereum as an additional payment option.

CompareAsiaGroup’s CCO Prashant Aggarwal to become interim Country Manager at SingSaver

SingSaver has appointed Prashant Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at its parent company CompareAsiaGroup (CAG), as interim Country Manager of the personal finance platform.

He replaces Rohith Murthy, who is leaving SingSaver after a 5-year stint.

In his new role, Aggarwal will oversee SingSaver’s overall business strategy, manage relationships with investors and partners, and supervise all core business functions, which will report to him.

At CAG, Aggarwal was responsible for overseeing revenue and client relationships as well as managing the board and investors.

Also Read: Financial comparison platform SingSaver launches instant digital comparisons, with a nod from MAS

Having previously held senior positions at financial institutions Visa and American Express, Aggarwal has strong credentials in financial products and functions.

“Our focus remains on enhancing our digital services, especially in banking and insurance, to help our customers make better choices about personal finance in this new normal,” Aggarwal added.

InstaReM launches BizPay to help Singaporean SMEs improve cash flow

InstaReM, the consumer and SME-focussed operation under fintech platform Nium, has launched a new service to help Singaporean SMEs maximise their cash flow.

Called BizPay, it utilises credit limits in the corporate cards and converts them into working capital to help businesses make payments, including commercial rent or utilities or other supplier payments.

With BizPay, businesses can get commercial benefits such as membership rewards or cash rebates.

Leveraging InstaReM’s existing remittance platform, businesses would only need to type the name of the beneficiary, the amount and currency of payment, and charge the whole payment to their corporate card for funding.

—

The post Roundup: Ryde launches cryptocurrency wallet; Techstars-EG partnership to drive more investment into APAC appeared first on e27.