Empowering teachers

• 500-backed Nas Academy has raised US$11 million to develop its digital learning platform in a funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.
• Founder Nuseir Yassin, the influencer behind Nas Daily, hopes to build a trustworthy brand for high-quality online courses.
• Creators can build MasterClass-like on-demand or live courses on the platform. It aims to reach those looking to monetize their knowledge by giving them the tools to create their own classes and academies that fans can attend online.
• There are courses already live on the platform. According to Nuseir, users can pay for a bundle of courses, and he plans to offer subscriptions in the future.
• Read the full story on TechCrunch here.

No place like Speedhome

• 500-backed SPEEDHOME, a property rental platform, has raised ~US$1.7 million in a Series A funding round backed by insurance company Allianz Malaysia Berhad and Gobi Partners.
• The startup plans to further develop the platform’s tech and app, along with a regional expansion starting with Bangkok.
• SPEEDHOME launched its Virtual Viewing and Homerunners services during the pandemic, resulting in a 160% year-on-year growth in Gross Written Premium (GWP) contribution to Allianz in 2020.
• According to the startup, the platform’s features have helped tenants save close to US$9 million in deposits. At the same time, property owners can rent out their units 5 times quicker.
• Read the full article on Vulcan Post here.

Safe houses

• 500-backed second-hand marketplace Carousell has launched the Carousell Property Online Expo in the Philippines. According to the Manila Bulletin, it is one of the biggest online property events in the country, which will run until 18 July.
• Raffy Montemayor, Carousell Philippines general manager said, “We’re bringing together property buyers and sellers in one virtual event to make purchasing property even simpler and safer especially during the pandemic.”
• Participants can go on a virtual tour of the expo, allowing prospective buyers to check complete details of properties they want to buy. Those who reserve property at the expo will also enjoy great deals.
• Raffy sees some pockets of growth in the real estate sector within Metro Manila. He also shared that developers, brokers, and agents are becoming active again.
• Read the full article on Manila Bulletin 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.

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