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Today’s top tech news: Grab launches online on-demand motorbike ride in Malaysia, WeWork expands to Vietnam with two new locations

Grab just launched online motorbike ride in Malaysia [Katadata]

Despite being established in 2012, decacorn Grab just announced that it finally kicked off the online motorbike ride operation, or known as ojek. The announcement came with the recent move by Gojek that also applies for operation permits in Malaysia.

Earlier this month, according to Katadata, Malaysian government announces the proof of concept stage for online motorbike ride operation in the country. The program will be done in Lembah Klang, Malaysia for six months before the operation commences in 2020.

The company said that the ride-hailing service will also cover food delivery, known as GrabFood.

Malaysian private investment firm RHL Ventures launches accelerator programme, to identify, scale Malaysian businesses [Press Release]

Malaysia-based private investment firm RHL Ventures announces that it has launched an accelerator programme with the mission to identify and scale Malaysian business.

“Our new accelerator programme underlines our firm’s stronger refocusing of efforts to grow Malaysia’s entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem along more sustainable lines,” said Rachel Lau, Managing Partner of RHL Ventures.

Also Read: Insurtech NTUC Income joins hand with Chinese insurer ZhongAn for Singapore scaleup

“With Malaysia’s innovation landscape now being more vibrant and dynamic than ever before, we are looking forward to identifying and work with the country’s best and most forward-thinking businesses – helping them to scale their innovations and grow them to become local and global champions.” Lau continued.

RHL Ventures earlier this year announced that it would raise a US$24 million fund to support the growth of local SMEs. The company also has several homegrown technology firms in its investment portfolio; including healthcare software company HealthMetrics, healthy snacks e-commerce platform Signature Market, and online interior design marketplace Atap.co.

WeWork expands to Vietnam, opening two new locations in Ho Chi Minh City [Press Release]

Global co-working space and startup community network WeWork announces the upcoming opening of its second and third locations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, respectively at Sonatus, opening in November 2019, and Lim Tower 3, opening in February 2020.

Branching out from E.Town Central, WeWork’s first location in District 4, the two new WeWork locations are located in District 1, HCMC’s central district. Sonatus is situated downtown at 15 Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé Ward, while Lim Tower 3 is at 29A Nguyễn Đình Chiểu in the hip Da Kao Ward.

WeWork has established a strong presence in Southeast Asia over the past two years, since opening its first location in Singapore in 2017. It now boasts footprints in Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Carro partners NTUC Income, launching on-demand driving insurance [Press Release]

Carro, Southeast Asia’s automotive marketplace, partners with NTUC Income to enhance the company’s car subscription service. The new usage-based car insurance between Carro and NTUC Income is via a ‘pay-as-you-drive’ model that is based on how much the user drives the car; the less they drive, the less they pay.

From November 28 this year, all Carro car subscription customers will benefit from insurance savings via subscription credits based on how much they drive. Carro’s subscription packages include 1,500 kilometres of mileage per month for every standard subscriber. With this usage-based insurance scheme, subscribers will get charged only for the kilometres driven each month, and the rebates for the un-driven distance will be used to offset the subscription fees for the next month. Rebates for un-driven distance can be as high as over US$800 per annum.

Also Read: Automotive marketplace Carro adds US$30M to Series B round; acquires Indonesia’s Jualo.com

The new insurance service uses Vehicular Telematics to assess how much each of their cars is driven in a single month. This data accurately determines the exact premiums, down to the kilometres driven and charges the customers accordingly for the month.

Carro’s subscription model offers all-in flat monthly charges starting at US$1,024 that covers insurance, road tax, regular maintenance, and 24-hour assistance.

The post Today’s top tech news: Grab launches online on-demand motorbike ride in Malaysia, WeWork expands to Vietnam with two new locations appeared first on e27.