Credit: Neuron Mobility

Greasing the wheels

• 500-backed e-scooter startup Neuron Mobility has raised at least US$30 million from returning investors GSR Ventures and Square Peg Capital.
• The startup last raised US$12 million in September 2020, closing its Series A funding round at US$30.5 million.
• “Neuron has experienced significant international growth over the last 12 months, expanding into new cities in Australia and New Zealand, while also launching in Korea, the United Kingdom, and Canada,” a representative from Neuron Mobility said.’
• Earlier this month, the startup announced it will be trialing 1,500 e-scooters upgraded to detect dangerous and inconsiderate driving such as aggressive swerving, curb jumping, and sidewalk riding. The e-scooter will ‘speak’ to the rider, guiding them to correct their behavior.
• Read the full article on DealStreetAsia. A subscription may be required.

Credit: OhmniLabs

Creating safe spaces

• Co-founder and CEO Thuc Vu of 500-backed OhmniLabs discussed how its telepresence robots are playing a role in the return to the office.
• “Robots will enable people to have similar interactions and communication like before,” he said, adding it can bring back spontaneous ‘water cooler’ conversations with co-workers.
• He also shared that the startup launched OhmniClean, a robot that uses UV light for disinfection. This method has been proven by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective and chemical-free way to kill COVID and other pathogens.
• According to the startup, the robot takes less than 15 minutes to disinfect a 3,000 sq ft space, significantly reducing labor and capital costs compared to manual cleaning or stationary UV units.
• Watch the full interview here.

Credit: Forbes Asia

• “Stop thinking it’s business as usual,” co-founder and group CEO of 500-backed Grab Anthony Tan said to Forbes Asia on the startup’s successful pivot over the pandemic.
• He shared that Grab converted over 140,000 drivers into food delivery partners in a short period of time. He credits this flexibility to its super app strategy.
• Grab has also found traction in various other verticals. In 2020, in partnership with Singtel, it was granted a digital banking license in Singapore. According to the startup, its Singapore digibank is expected to roll out in the second quarter of 2022.
• In 2018, Grab launched GrabAds, its marketing and advertising unit. The unit grew over sixfold from last year’s quarter.
• Read the full interview on Forbes.