The Daily Markup will be taking a break for Lunar New Year on 1st and 2nd February. See you on 3rd February for edition #431, and Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Riding into more countries

• 500-backed bicycle insurtech startup Laka has raised US$12 million in a Series A funding round, led by US mobility investor Autotech Ventures with participation from sustainable mobility and energy fund Ponooc, a Dutch sustainable mobility investor.
• According to the London-based startup, the fresh funds will be used to expand across Europe. It plans to launch in Belgium, France, and Germany in the first half of 2022.
• Laka also aims to serve e-scooters, e-mopeds, and eventually, e-cars.
• The startup currently provides its services through partnerships with global brands such as sports retailer Decathlon. It also insures many of the UK’s last-mile delivery companies and now aims to cover commercial fleets in Europe.
• Read the full announcement here.

Staying fashionable for new consumers

• 500-backed fashion retail startup HelloMida has been selected for the sixth cohort of Surge, Sequoia Capital India’s accelerator program.
• The group of 20 startups has received a total funding of US$60 million from Surge and its co-investors.
• Founded by Grace Yun Xia, HelloMida is based in Vietnam and uses a real-time retail model to reach Gen Z consumers in Southeast Asia. Its direct-from-factory infrastructure and data-driven approach on designing and merchandising enables it to offer over 200 new designs daily.
• At Surge, founders will go through a 16-week virtual program. One of the key names participating as a speaker and mentor is co-founder of recommerce startup Carousell, Siu Rui Quek.
• Get the full list on Tech in Asia.

Creating quality content

• 500-backed Nas Academy has partnered with India short video app, MX TakaTak, for the second edition of the Creator Training Program.
• 50 influencers across multiple categories and regions will be handpicked to participate. The month-long upskilling program will tap into international experts from Nas Academy to create high-quality content.
• Participants will go through interactive learning activities such as fellow meetings, contests, feedback sessions, and one-on-one sessions with Nas Academy mentors.
• Upon successful completion of the program, participants will earn a Nas Academy Alumni Certificate.
• Read the full article here.