Daily Briefing: Hotels roll out staycation packages; Automation startup Novocall raises $700,000 seed funding

And Credence Partners has launched its first venture capital fund.

From Channel News Asia:

With more Singaporeans unsure about travelling overseas due to the spike in COVID-19 cases across the world, hotels here are gearing up to entice people to take staycations instead.
Several hotels CNA spoke to have launched new staycation packages.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Singapore which runs hotels including Studio M, M Social and Grand Copthorne Waterfront in Singapore, said they have rolled out staycation promotions because customers are looking to avoid overseas holidays and are looking for alternatives here due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, Far East Hospitality which runs the Village, Quincy, Oasia and Rendezvous brands of has rolled out different staycation packages for different segments of staycationers, said Arthur Kiong, CEO of Far East Hospitality

Yotel Singapore Orchard Road, on the other hand, launched a new two-night staycation package tailored for families.

Read more here. 

From DealStreetAsia:

Conversational sales automation startup Novocall has raised $700,000 in a seed investment. The round was led by Silicon Valley-based venture firm 500 Startups’ Southeast Asia-focused 500 Durians fund.

The funds are said to be allotted for the startup's upcoming expansion plans.

Earlier, the company had received grant funding of $30,000 from Enterprise Singapore’s SG Founder Grant in partnership with SMU’s Business Innovation Generator (BIG).

Read more here.

From DealStreetAsia:

Singapore-based Credence Partners has launched its first venture capital fund and has made the first close at US$50m.

The VC firm targets the final close at US$100m.

Credence is said to mainly invest in Series A and B companies in Southeast Asia. It looks to invest in defensible businesses solving real problems, led by robust and thoughtful founders leading high-performing teams.

Read more here.