5 in 5 minutes - June 16th

WeMine receives funding from Singaporean angel investor

Hong Kong-based startup WeMine has raised approximately HK$1 million of funding from a Singaporean angel investor. It plans to reinforce the core features of its proprietary, WeChat management platform in order to offer better cloud-based customer service, event management, mobile payment and e-commerce solutions.

WeMine is a MarTech startup that focuses on WeChat Official Account marketing and technological innovation. Its service also covers establishment and management of the account, creative strategy, content creation and WeChat app development.

World’s Leaders and Innovators converged at EmTech HK

EmTech Hong Kong returned for its second edition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It showcases emerging technologies with the greatest potential to change our lives and an access point to the most innovative people and companies in the world. 

This year, EmTech Hong Kong drew over 500 participants from more than 20 countries. Some of the world’s most influential leaders and innovators which have been driving the next generation of technological breakthroughs also spoke at the event.

Hong Kong cozies up with Shenzhen to create future tech giants

Hong Kong plans to raise a technology town, 87-hectare park in Lok Ma Chau Loop, next to Shenzhen. It is the largest proposal by Hong Kong and is being pitched as an incubator for future tech giants. 

The idea is to connect tenants with  Shenzhen’s cheaper manufacturing and innovation. Meanwhile, they can still retain Hong Kong’s legal and business framework and internet freedom, with eased border crossings between the two cities.

Singapore blockchain startup Bluzelle awarded Technology Pioneer

Singapore blockchain startup Bluzelle has been awarded by the World Economic Forum as one of the 30 Technology Pioneers for 2017. Technology Pioneers community of The World Economic Forum gathers early-stage companies that are developing innovative solutions which can significantly make an impact on business and society.

Bluzelle is launched in 2015. It offers real-time payments solutions for financial institutions, smart contracts for insurances, and KYC shared ledger solutions, which are all powered by blockchain. The company has partnered with the KPMG Digital Village to extend its blockchain solutions to other insurance and medical firms.

Shopmatic raises $5.7M to expand its business

Singapore-based startup Shopmatic has raised US$5.7M in pre-series from Singapore-based VC firm ACP and Spring, which is an agency of Singapore’s ministry of trade and industry.

Shopmatic is an e-commerce enabler for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs. Apart from building and managing their own stores, sellers are able to access to multiple e-commerce marketplaces and promote their products on their social media sites. 

It first launched in India and also has a presence in Hong Kong. They are now planning to expand its business into new markets, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Middle East.