Installing dream homes

• IKEA shoppers can ‘buy now pay later’ on the IKEA Indonesia website and offline stores, thanks to a partnership struck by 500-backed fintech platform Kredivo with the Swedish furniture company.
• Customers who opt for Kredivo as a payment method can choose to pay in 30 days or 3 months with 0% interest, or take 6- and 12-month installments at 2.6% interest per month.
• Dyah Fitrisally, the Country Marketing Manager of IKEA Indonesia said, “Through this partnership, Kredivo customers can access IKEA’s well-designed and functional home furnishings using a Paylater or installment option that is fast, easy and affordable.”
• “This partnership is an acknowledgment of Kredivo’s leadership in the BNPL (buy now pay later) sector and represents a deep commitment on our part to offer our customers a purchase experience with the best retailers in the country,” Lily Suriani, General Manager of Kredivo Indonesia shared.
• Read the full article on Yahoo! Finance.

Disrupting banking

• 500-backed Singapore-based fintech platform Friz has partnered with MatchMove, another fintech firm, to offer a better financial experience to freelancers.
• According to the article, this tie-up will empower freelancers with financial freedom. Friz is providing a credit line for freelancers, who typically struggle with accessing financial services.
• Friz offers higher approval rates and affordable fees compared to traditional loan providers. Using MatchMove’s virtual Mastercards, users can integrate their cards with Google Pay for a convenient and seamless payment experience.
• With this partnership, Friz plans to expand. “Partnering with MatchMove allowed us to have faster access to the market. We value MatchMove’s commitment to financial inclusion in Southeast Asia,” said Friz’s co-founder, Nirali Zaveri.
• More details here.

Making the list

• A VulcanPost piece has highlighted 13 high-growth Singapore companies to look out for in 2022, and four are 500-backed.
• According to the article, 500-backed Grab is touted as the first ‘decacorn’ in the region (a startup worth US$10 billion or more). The startup made its Nasdaq debut earlier this month.
• Also on the list is 500-backed Homage, an on-demand healthcare platform. The startup claims to have experienced significant growth in 2021, with regional business growing more than 600% year-over-year. It also said it more than tripled its revenue in the past year.
• 500-backed e-motorcycle startup Ion Mobility makes the cut, with its recent launch of the ION Mobius. The bike will hit Indonesian roads in 2022 and the startup plans to expand to Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
• Last but not least is 500-backed recruitment platform Glints, which is on a mission to empower 120 million professionals in Southeast Asia. Its tech-driven recruitment solution counts Gojek, Tokopedia, FWD Insurance, Starbucks, and Mediacorp as clients.
• Get the full list on VulcanPost.