Daily Markup #21: Covid-19 is causing telemedicine in Indonesia to surge

In other news, IKEA’s meatball recipe has been revealed.

Exponential growth

  • Telemedicine platforms like 500-backed Alodokter are experiencing exponential growth as Indonesians are quarantined at homes, with limited physical access to medical resources.
  • The Jakarta Post, citing a report on shifting consumer behavior during the pandemic, points out that the social distancing phenomenon provides opportunities for telemedicine market leaders to achieve unicorn status.
Credit: Alodokter
  • Per a New York Times article, Alodokter recorded 32 million website visitors in March and over 500,000 free coronavirus consultations since Indonesia’s first confirmed case on March 2.
  • “In contrast to last month, people are now asking about non-coronavirus-related health issues, such as what medicine to take if you feel unwell at home and so forth,” said Alodokter partnership vice president Agustine Gunawan.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
  • Founded in 2014, Alodokter is widely recognized as one of Indonesia’s leading medical portals, working with a trusted network of 20,000 doctors and 1,000 hospitals and clinics.

Online Ramadan bazaar

  • Together with Unilever Food Solutions, 500-backed marketplace giant Carousell has launched #TetapBuka Online Ramadan Bazaar, allowing local business owners to sell their food items during the fasting month.
Credit: Carousell
  • Through the Carousell app, Malaysians can support smaller F&B establishments nearest to their location within a 10km radius.
  • “In these uncertain times, we at Carousell stand together with our community of Carousellers to lend a hand to help small F&B businesses sell their food items during Ramadan,” said Carousell Malaysia’s country head, Tang Siew Wai.
  • Visit the #TetapBuka page to support your local heroes, Malaysia!

Nintendo Switch giveaway and medical frontliner support

  • Help continues to pour in for medical frontliners in Singapore. 500-backed PolicyPal has joined forces with Revolut and Stashaway for launch “Medical Energizer” to support medical professionals who are fighting tirelessly on the frontlines against the coronavirus.
  • On PolicyPal’s part, the insurtech startup is offering Personal Accident Covid-19 insurance with a diagnosis benefit of SG$3,000 and up to SG$2,000 outpatient medical expenses reimbursement.
Credit: PolicyPal
  • Meanwhile, PolicyPal is also running a Nintendo Switch giveaway on its Facebook page. If you’ve been wanting to get on the Animal Crossing craze, now’s the chance.

Legit IKEA meatball recipe

  • Make yourself something tasty this weekend. IKEA finally shared the secret to its world-famous Swedish meatballs and it seems that the secret is in the sauce.
  • Soy sauce and dijon mustard. The unlikely pairing is what makes the sauce so creamy.
Credit: IKEA UK
  • It seems straightforward enough. No Allen keys required for assembling.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Remember to stay safe and stay healthy.

Stay tuned to the next Daily Markup on Monday. If you want a recap of this week’s Daily Markup, go 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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