Prep on an app

• 500-backed digital health startup mClinica partnered with several organizations to mobilize pharmacies to contribute to national pandemic responses in Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
• The goal? To equip pharmacy professionals with improved awareness and education needed to optimize their contributions to national Covid-19 responses.
• Leveraging on the startup’s app, SwipeRx, digital surveys, awareness campaigns, and continuing professional development (CPD) modules were deployed.
• According to the startup, SwipeRx is the largest platform in Southeast Asia, connecting over 190,000 pharmacy professionals and students across seven countries. The app’s solutions empowers more than 45,000 pharmacies to operate more efficiently and effectively.

• For the pandemic preparedness campaign, digital surveys were circulated to understand gaps in pharmacy professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Covid-19.
• From the survey, 374 digital awareness posters were designed to promote Covid-19 safe practices for pharmacy staff and clients.
• Pharmacy professionals were equipped with updated professional skills and knowledge through digital awareness campaigns and four continuing professional development modules.
• The campaign reached out to 455,000 SwipeRx app and social media accounts as well as 9,000 pharmacy professionals.
• Read the full case study here.

Conscious consumerism

• 500-backed food review platform abillion released a consumer report based on an analysis of close to 400,000 reviews on its app.
• Why is the report relevant? According to a study, 73% of global consumers are likely to change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment. 57% would boycott a brand that doesn’t share their social and ethical values. Also, the sustainable fast-moving consumer goods market is forecasted to reach up to US$150 billion by 2021.

• In the Singapore market, abillion’s analysis revealed that consumer satisfaction has weakened in the alternative eggs, meat, and seafood as well as the body and skincare categories since 2019.
• The startup recommends that leading plant-based brands not yet present in Singapore can take the opportunity to fill this gap. Brands should also focus on the business-to-consumer (B2C) segment to make their products more accessible to consumers. As for incumbent brands, the report advises them to enhance their products’ quality to improve consumer satisfaction.
• At the same time, the perceived cost of plant-based products has decreased. This downward trend validates brands’ ongoing efforts to double up on scale, reduce cost, and compete with their non-vegan competitors.
• As for restaurant dining, data showed a lack of vegan dishes at affordable dining places, according to the startup. As such, there are opportunities for brands to target the low- and mid-priced segments.
• The startup’s analysis also showed that globally, consumers demand less meat and packaging and are willing to spend more on socially conscious purchases, with Singaporeans being one of the most vocal markets. More than half of Singapore consumers feel strongly about the role of businesses in preventing harm to the environment, and 80% of them are willing to pay higher prices for socially conscious products.
• Read the full report here.

Speeding up startups

• 500-backed artificial intelligence startup Seventh Sense™ is to benefit from Singapore’s new accelerator, PlanetSpark Innovation Center.
• The center aims to aid technology startups in developing a proof-of-concept of their artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) products and solutions within six months, instead of taking possibly two to three years.
• The center will also have a panel of mentors from the private and public sectors to share expertise and experience with the startups.
• One such startup to benefit is AI tech firm Seventh Sense, which is developing a product involving a body-worn camera linked to an AI module carried by security personnel.

• The AI module can process videos captured and generate alerts for both the wearer and for a central monitoring location when suspects are detected.
• The module cuts the need to send video feeds elsewhere to be processed, which can cost ten times more.
• Varun Chatterji, co-founder and Chief Software Architect of Seventh Sense, shared that one of the challenges he faces is getting hardware components. Thanks to the center, the startup gains early access to manufacturers producing the hardware it needs.
• Watch the full video 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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