Ho Chi Minh-based Homebase has raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-Series A round to develop new alternative financial solutions to serve homeowners in Vietnam. Meanwhile, ride-hailing giant Grab and NAS Academy, the training and development arm of content creator NAS Daily, are rolling out a programme to identify and groom 100 budding content creators across Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Vietnam’s Homebase raises funding from VinaCapital Ventures, 1982 Ventures, others
Ho Chi Minh-based Homebase has raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-Series A round to develop new alternative financial solutions to serve homeowners in Vietnam.
According to a statement, the size of the round was a “7-figure sum” and joined by a list of venture capital investors in Vietnam, Silicon Valley and Singapore. They include Vietnam’s VinaCapital Ventures, Silicon Valley-based Class 5 Global and Pegasus Technology Ventures, and Singapore-based investors 1982 Ventures and Antler.
A number of prominent ex-founders also joined the round, including Troy Steckenrider III, ex-COO of US real estate technology firm Zerodown, and Darius Cheng, founder and CEO of 99.co.
Homebase last raised another undisclosed amount in its pre-seed round in February this year, which was backed by Antler and Brian Ma, co-founder of Divvy Homes. Divvy Homes is an Andressen Horowitz and GIC-backed alternative home ownership startup based in the US.
Grab ties up with NAS Academy to train SEA’s content creators
Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Grab and NAS Academy, the training and development arm of content creator NAS Daily, will roll out a programme to identify and groom 100 budding content creators across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The programme, “GrabForGood x NAS Academy Creator Course”, aims to uncover stories of Southeast Asia and provide a platform for micro and small business owners, including Grab driver- and delivery-partners, to share their experiences in adapting to the new normal, Grab said in a statement on Monday.
“This year, we were inspired by stories of so many individuals and businesses in our community, who have shown grace, grit and ingenuity as they come together to help one another and fight to adapt to the new normal. Through this partnership with NAS Academy, we’d like to shine a light on these amazing people and innovative small businesses, while sharing their stories to spread more positivity and hope,” said Grab group vice president of marketing Cheryl Goh.
Under the course designed and conducted by NAS Academy instructors, 100 select participants will get to hone their skills in scriptwriting, video filming and editing, as well as publishing. During the course, they will get personal feedback on their content from trainers, and access to a virtual digital lab where they can get live feedback and tech support. As many as 200 videos will be produced by the participants, with a focus on how Grab’s partners have demonstrated resilience, and adjusted during this challenging period.
