Everyone’s a KOL.

Influencer marketing for all

For years, influencer marketing was reserved for celebrities or KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) with strong followings. But the perception is changing. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram are giving everyone a fair chance to create engaging content.
500-backed InvolveAsia’s new venture, productlink.io, is championing that front in Southeast Asia.
Over the three months since their soft launch in January this year, the platform acquired over 10,000 users. The top 20 users are earning an average of $500 per month, the team tells TallyPress.

The concept is simple. A user reviews a product, which can range from cosmetics to electronics. The options are endless since InvolveAsia partners with hundreds of global brands and major e-commerce sites like Lazada and Shopee.
Before posting the video, users create a dedicated link and include it in the video. Every time a viewer clicks on the link, the user earns a commission. That’s it!
More details here.

Save money-win money

Secure the Money Bag! That’s the nifty game 500-backed PolicyPal has created which rewards users for achieving their saving goals.
Aiming to educate Singaporeans on good saving habits, the interactive game comes with a S$1,000 cash prize and S$50,000 worth of vouchers from fellow 500-backed startup Grain, Shopee, and foodpanda.

To start, become a PolicyPay member, download the app, and choose a virtual savings plan. Complete challenges and daily tasks to earn P$, the in-app currency that can be converted to cash. Once you hit P$1,000, you can choose to cash out your Money Bag for S$1,000.
More details, including a handy “cheat sheet” here.

Data analytics to improve outbreak response

500-backed Zenysis’ work on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and last year’s cholera outbreak in Mozambique has proved that efficient data analysis is key to helping governments make informed decisions during a crisis.
After a feature on the Financial Times, CEO and co-founder Jonathan Stambolis speaks to ABC Radio, where he details how Zenysis pools data from different sources and streamlines it into one unified dashboard for effective next-steps.

Check the full interview here!

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500 Startups is a venture capital firm on a mission to discover and back the world’s most talented entrepreneurs, help them create successful companies at scale, and build thriving global ecosystems. In Southeast Asia, 500 Startups invests through the pioneering 500 Southeast Asia family of funds. The 500 Southeast Asia funds have backed over 240 companies across multiple sectors from internet to consumer to deep technology. It continues to connect founders with capital, expertise and powerful regional and global networks to help them succeed.

This post is intended solely for general informational or educational purposes only. 500 Startups Management Company, L.L.C. and its affiliates (collectively “500 Startups”) makes no representation as to the accuracy or information in this post and while reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information herein is accurate and up-to-date, no liability can be accepted for any error or omissions. All third party links in this post have not been independently verified by 500 Startups and the inclusion of such links should not be interpreted as an endorsement or confirmation of the content within. Under no circumstances should any content in this post be construed as investment, legal, tax or accounting advice by 500 Startups, or an offer to sell or solicitation of interest to purchase any securities advised by 500 Startups. Prospective investors considering an investment into any 500 Startups fund should not consider or construe this content as fund marketing material. The views expressed herein are as at the date of this post and are subject to change without notice. A 500 Startups fund may have a financial interest in one or more of the companies discussed.

Involve Asia (fka ShopStylers)

Daily Markup #42: Influencer marketing changed, startup acquires over 10K users in three months