Success in the cards

• Out of hundreds of applicants, 500-backed fintech platform Curlec has been selected as one of five startups to be part of Visa’s first-ever Accelerator Program in Asia Pacific.
• Curlec is a Malaysian startup that helps small businesses automate the direct debit application and approval process with banks.
• The program seeks to find innovations in digital payments. The five startups will be given the opportunity to work with Visa’s network of bank and merchant partners to see if their existing solutions are ready for growth.
• Read the full announcement on Curlec here.

A handy way to pay

• 500-backed fintech startup Wallex has partnered with ipaymy, a credit card payment platform, to offer an international payment service for individuals and business users.
• Tapping into Wallex’s connection to a global network of payment capabilities partners, users can now transfer money to more than 30 countries safely and securely.
• Users can pay rent for overseas properties and offices, settle invoices from suppliers abroad, and furnish salaries to remote employees and freelancers — all with their credit cards.
• This service is currently available to Visa or Mastercard users in Singapore. Wallex and ipaymy will be actively working to extend this functionality to all regions.
• Read the full announcement on Wallex here.

Life’s a picnic

• 500-backed e-scooter startup Neuron Mobility has partnered with Studio Dummy, a local design studio in Seoul, in a pilot project to showcase how e-scooters can enrich the lifestyles of consumers.
• Titled “Micromobility Safety and Innovation”, the collaboration brings together the world’s first app-controlled helmet lock by Neuron and Studio Dummy’s eco-friendly console box, a multi-purpose storage container custom-fitted for Neuron’s e-scooters.
• They will be displayed in Sangsu-dong until 25 April as part of an exhibition that shines a spotlight on innovations brought to life by mobility products.
• 20 visitors will be provided with Neuron e-scooters with console boxes fully stocked with food for a picnic in Seoul Forest.
• Read the full story on BusinessKorea 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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