Committing to community service

• 500-backed biotech startup Prenetics has teamed up with property conglomerate New World Development to donate 200,000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to low-income families amid a surge in coronavirus cases in Hong Kong.
• The two companies hope to ease the financial burden of underprivileged Hong Kongers and cut long waiting times at community testing centers.
• According to a statement, the test kits will be sent to six local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who will distribute them to low-income families. Priority will be given to those in healthcare, cleaning, security, and catering, as well as the underprivileged single elderly and those who are chronically ill.
• “We are delighted to partner with New World Development to provide these kits to individuals who can truly benefit from them. We continue to ramp up our manufacturing supply chain to millions of rapid test kits, including Circle HealthPod, in the coming months to serve the local community,” said Prenetics CEO Danny Yeung.
• Read the full article in South China Morning Post.

Providing equal access to healthcare

• 500-backed on-demand healthcare platform Homage announced its most significant expansion in Malaysia to date – extending its presence in cities across three new states. It hopes to ensure that Malaysians from all walks of life can receive proper care in the comfort and safety of their own homes.
• The startup also aims to grow its pool of caregivers, nurses, and therapists nationwide to 11,000 by the end of 2022.
• In its mission to elevate home care in Malaysia, it is actively welcoming partnerships and healthcare institutions. PC Gan, Country Manager of Homage Malaysia said, “Homage is committed to answering the call for more equalized access to good healthcare.”
• “We know that it is a joint effort to create true ecosystem impact, which is why Homage is also eager to work with other like-minded organizations and institutions within the community to help more seniors and family members across Malaysia enjoy a better quality of life,” she added.
• Read the full story in Business Today.

Uplifting entrepreneurs with education

• Entrepreneurs in Quezon City are set to receive support in financial assistance and financial literacy from a partnership between the city government and 500-backed fintech firm First Circle.
• The program is targeted at over 75,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the city. According to the mayor, this program is the first of its kind in the city, which aims to achieve economic recovery after the financial hardship brought about by the pandemic.
• The program includes free quarterly webinars on money management and loans, and topics intended to help business owners recover and grow their enterprises.
• First Circle chief executive officer Patrick Lynch said the partnership was founded on the “strong desire to grow small businesses.”
• Read the full article in The Manila Times.