Daily Briefing: GoBear bags $24.12m from existing investors; LongHash Ventures reveals fourth cohort of startups

And Ziliqa rolls out social media initiatives to support relief efforts.

From DealStreetAsia:

Fintech firm GoBear snapped up $24.12m (US$17m) funding from its existing Dutch investors Walvis Participaties and Aegon to expand its financial services platform, according to an announcement.

The firm plans to use the latest funding to rev up its online financial marketplace, digital insurance brokerage and digital lending. WIth the additional investment, the total funding raised by GoBear currently stands at $137.64m (US$97m).

In the last three months, its digital insurance brokerage segment saw a 52% increase in average order value. The company has also launched new insurance products in partnership with Chubb and Allianz.

Read more here.

From e27:

Singapore-based blockchain accelerator and venture capital fund LongHash Ventures has launched its fourth batch of startups under LongHash Hatch, according to an announcement.

LongHash Hatch is a 12-week programme that includes modules in strategy formulation, go-to-market execution, and subject matter guidance across technology, marketing, and fundraising designed for blockchain startups.

Some of the industry leaders who will be participating in the programme include Fenbushi Capital, HashKey Capital, Kenetic Capital, and Dragonfly Capital, with Ethereum Foundation, Maker, Synthetix, and InstaDApp.

CredMark, Hashtacs, Pravica, Puma Browser, StaTwig, Viewbase, and Xend are the seven startups included in the programme

The accelerator has raised over $22.7m (US$16m) in funding for its portfolio to date, with projects including AID: Tech, AlphaWallet, Keyless and Xanpool.

Read more here.

From e27:

Crypto startup Zilliqa has launched a social media initiative as a way of giving back to the local community and to support Singapore Red Cross’s COVID-19 relief efforts islandwide, according to an announcement.

Zilliqa will be rewarding users who tweet about its #ZILCovidHeroes campaign with 25 $ZIL, the platform’s native cryptocurrency, using Twitter. For every 25 $ZIL sent to a user, Zilliqa will match this amount with a donation to the Singapore Red Cross.

Users will also be able to donate directly to Singapore Red Cross in Singapore dollars, with local residents and corporates eligible for a 2.5% tax deduction. The campaign will be running from 26 May to 28 May.

Read more here.

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