Category: PE, VC & Alternatives

Society Pass (SoPa) Completes Acquisition of Pushkart.ph Expanding Southeast Asia Footprint

  • Society Pass (SoPa) endeavors to revolutionize the online grocery shopping market in Philippines through this strategic acquisition
  • E-commerce industry in the Philippines is witnessing exponential growth and is expected to be at US$40 billion in 2025
  • SoPa is now poised to bring amplified value to consumers by allowing them to experience hassle-free shopping anytime, anywhere they want through Pushkart.ph
  • The company aims to empower more existing and new merchants in Philippines to reach the online market by allowing them to transform their shops digitally

Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA), a leading Southeast Asian data-driven loyalty platform today announced that it has acquired Pushkart.ph, a leading online grocery delivery service in Philippines. As a result of the acquisition, Pushkart.ph becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of SoPa. The move kicks-off SoPa’s expansion into the Philippines market. Leveraging on SoPa’s capital, Pushkart.ph will focus on dramatically increasing on-demand grocery shopping services to more consumers and more retailers initially to Metro Manila and then to all of Philippines, while empowering grocery stores and restaurants to transform business models and further tap into online markets.

The announcement comes at a time of accelerated rapid growth for delivery services in Philippines, with the internet economy expected to increase 24% from US$17 billion in 2021 to US$40 billion in 2025. Pushkart.ph is one of Philippines’ fastest growing e-commerce platforms, with a customer base of over 125,000 registered users, over 35,000 social media followers, and more than 20,000 mobile app downloads.

Commenting on this strategic step, Dennis Nguyen, Society Pass Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are excited to combine the robust technology, retail and operational prowess of a high-performance brand like Pushkart.ph with our brand building experience. As the Phillipine consumer faces tremendous challenges with traditional brick and mortar shopping due to a plethora of hurdles including excessive wait times in traffic/public transport, SoPa aims to provide viable solutions by providing impetus to the growing e-commerce industry in the country. Given the immense potential of the Philippines market, we are very excited about the opportunities that this acquisition will bring in the upcoming months. In addition, as Philippines is a cornerstone of SoPa’s VIP (Vietnam, Indonesia, and Philippines) acquisition strategy, I expect to acquire a number of market leading companies in Philippines over the next few months.”

“We are very excited to announce our acquisition by Society Pass, this partnership provides us the opportunity to not only grow our presence in Philippines but further our lead in the grocery delivery business. We are excited to join the larger SoPa ecosystem which will enable us to harness its integrated marketing and technology proposition while also strengthening our collective senior management resources. We foresee that this will lead to immediate returns in terms of cost optimisation and increased revenue generation. With the capital provided by SoPa, Pushkart.ph will now be empowered to provide enhanced end to end solutions to our customers and ensure an amplified market presence,” said Michael Lim, CEO of Pushkart.ph.

Society Pass is leveraging technology to provide a more personalized experience for customers in the purchase journey, to help transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. Through the acquisition of market-leading companies and partnership with visionary entrepreneurs in five distinct verticals: loyalty, lifestyle, travel, food & beverage and merchant software, the company expects to meet the region’s growing demand for better and more convenient services. The acquisition is in line with SoPa’s core vertical focus and facilitates proliferation of its growth in Philippines while increasing consumer opportunities and delivering enhanced value. This move will also help tap the increasing digital penetration in the online grocery shopping space in the Philippines market.

The offering of this acquisition is of immense consequence to the end user with SoPa’s aggressive new plans for Pushkart.ph which include adding more hubs in key cities and regions and increasing its manpower. SoPa aims to expand Pushkart.ph’s technology offering, phenomenally increasing registered users to more than double to over 300,000 and driving app downloads to over 150,000 in 2022. Philippine consumers will be able to use Pushkart.ph app across 19 cities in Metro Manila with a guaranteed next day delivery service.

About Society Pass
Society Pass’ customer loyalty and analytics platform has onboarded hundreds of thousands of registered consumers. Society Pass provides merchants with SoPa.asia – an online commerce platform for users, alongside with #HOTTAB Biz – a convenient order management app for business partners on SoPa.asia, and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user’s profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises. All tools offered above will allow businesses to attract and retain customers through personalized interaction based on analytics with a high profit margin. In addition, SoPa operates Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform.

SoPa is a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem that operates multiple e-commerce and lifestyle platforms across its key markets. Its business model focuses on collecting user data through the expected circulation of its universal loyalty points. It seamlessly connects consumers and merchants across multiple product and service categories fostering organic loyalty. From its launch in 2019, SoPa has amassed over 1.5 million registered users and over 3,500 registered merchants and brands. It has since invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its Platform’s consumers, merchants, and acquisitions. For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/

Media contact
PRecious Communications for SoPa
sopa@preciouscomms.com

Wikisoft Corp. Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Disruptive Blockchain Tech Company — Etheralabs LLC

Wikisoft Corp. (the “Company,” “we,” and “our”) (OTCQB: WSFT) today announced that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire a majority stake in Etheralabs LLC, a New York City based venture lab and ecosystem that invests in, builds, and deploys disruptive technologies across the Blockchain space.

The proposed transaction would include full global access to Etheralabs LLC’s disruptive technologies across the Blockchain and global funding landscape. With the majority stake, Wikisoft plans to ensure that Etheralabs future product and technology roadmap supports Wikisoft’s platform strategy. The parties intend to enter into a binding agreement after consultation with their respective legal counsel. Wikisoft Corp. plan to fund the acquisition with equity, thus providing the Company the optimum financial flexibility in the future. Wikisoft’s Board of Directors has given a commitment to approve the transaction.

Carsten Kjems Falk, Chief Executive Officer of Wikisoft Corp. said, “Etheralabs LLC’s disruptive technology and products are expected to provide an outstanding opportunity to expand Wikisoft’s global reach with superior technology and high value-add products. This includes but is not limited to the blockchain technology for the upcoming wikifunding platform enabling startups to connect to the blockchain community, investors and venture capital. Furthermore, the AmpliFi press release distribution service is expected to be accessible to the 90 million businesses now held in the Wikisoft database, providing global reach to any of those companies. Our greater scale, broader product offering and geographic exposure should accelerate our growth and provide greater earnings diversity.” The Company expects the proposed transaction to be accretive to earnings realized over the two years following the acquisition.

Bryan Feinberg, CEO and Founder of Etheralabs said, “Wikisoft’s capabilities coupled with our background in transforming large data ecosystems into vibrant communities creates a definitive way to leverage our background to accelerate Wikisoft’s entry into the global blockchain market and look forward to our ability to leverage Wikisoft’s unique architecture and data environment into an active and vibrant venture community.”

About Etheralabs LLC

Etheralabs is New York City based venture lab and ecosystem that invests in, builds, and deploys disruptive technologies across the Blockchain landscape. Etheralabs fast-tracks ideas into solutions that help high-growth companies with a focus on capital appreciation and scale via early-stage identification and accelerated resource deployment. The acceleration model lays the foundation for taking promising IP from both concept to company and from revenue to profitability, culminating in a fully functioning portfolio venture that is ready to attract follow-on funding, an acquisition partner, or to operate as a standalone company.
More information can be found at: https://etheralabs.io

About Wikisoft Corporation

In today’s fast-moving business world of increasing globalization, Wikisoft leverages big data and associated insights from business datasets to improve performance.

In line with this new phase of globalization, Wikisoft believes that there is a growing demand for access to credible and reliable business data. Data is essential to creating the complete view of customers, prospects, investors, suppliers, and partners necessary to power the right decisions.
Our vision is to create opportunity globally by collecting precise data, curating it, verifying it and putting it in the hands of professionals and businesses as consumable business intelligence. We believe in the power of Wikisoft to collect massive amounts of data and deliver it to businesses curated, credible and reliable.

CONTACT:
WikiSoft Corp.
315 Montgomery Street, San Francisco,
CA 94104, USA
Phone: +1-800-706-0806
Email: investor@wikisoft.com
Investor site: www.wikisoft.com

SOURCE: WikiSoft Corp.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature about the Company. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “future” or other similar expressions. The Company has based these forward-looking statements primarily on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect Company’s financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. There is no assurance that the Company’s current expectations and projections are accurate. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on the Company’s information on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, nor any solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company. The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited’s offshore arm appoints Sarath Sathkumara to head investments for its international business

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited’s(ABSLAMC) offshore subsidiary has appointed Mr. Sarath Sathkumara to lead investments for its international business.

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited is the fourth largest asset manager in India with total assets under management of close to $42 billion. The publicly listed company has its presence in over 280 locations pan-India and present in international markets such as Dubai, Singapore, and Mauritius. It also operates via UCIT to cater to European markets. The company recently received approval from International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to carry out Portfolio Management Services from GIFT City in India that will help to expand its reach and service to global clients. Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited’s offshore subsidiaries manage money to the extent of USD 1.32 billion. ABSLAMC is a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (a non-bank financial services conglomerate), and investment manager to Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund (ABSLMF).

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. A. Balasubramanian, MD & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited said, “We are delighted to have Sarath Sathkumara come on board. He is a seasoned global emerging markets investor with over 30 years of experience in international capital markets and investing. His rich experience, illustrious background and in-depth knowledge of global markets will be an instrument in capitalizing overseas opportunities and launching investment solutions that cater to the needs of international investors. This further strengthens our overseas presence and aligns with our strategy of expanding our offshore business. Sarath will initially focus on launching ESG centered products, along with relevant solutions to cater to GIFT City and overseas clients”.

In his current role with ABSLAMC’s offshore arm, Sarath has joined as CIO International. Most recently, Sarath was the Managing Director/Portfolio Manager for Taiyo Pacific Partner’s India engagement investing business, starting the business 10 years ago and building it ground up. Prior to that, he has worked as a Chief Investment Officer of SBI Venture Capital in Singapore. From 2002 to 2008, Sarath was a Senior Portfolio Manager with the State Street Global Advisors’ Active Emerging Markets Group (AUM $12bn), focusing on Asia and MENA regions. Before that Sarath spent 7 years with Capital International in Singapore as part of Capital International’s Emerging Markets team (AUM $24bn). He was instrumental in building and running Capital’s India business from 1993, the year India opened for foreign investment and witnessed India’s capital market transformation. Before that he was with HSBC Group for 10 years in investment and corporate banking in Dubai, San Francisco and New York.

About Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited
Established in 1994, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC) is a joint venture between the Aditya Birla Capital Limited and Sun Life (India) AMC Investments Inc. ABSLAMC is primarily the investment manager of Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, a registered trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. ABSLAMC also operates multiple alternate strategies including Portfolio Management Services, Real Estate Investments and Alternative Investment Funds. ABSLAMC is one of the leading asset managers in India, with a pan India presence across 280 plus locations and a total AUM of over Rs. 3,109 billion under its suite of mutual fund (excluding our domestic FoFs), portfolio management services, offshore and real estate offerings and 7.6 million investor folios for the quarter ending December 31, 2021.

For any media queries, please contact:
Amrita Panja
Email: Amrita.Panja@adityabirlacapital.com

Society Pass (SoPa) Announces Pricing of US$10 Million Underwritten Public Offering

Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) (SoPa or the Company), a leading Southeast Asian data-driven loyalty platform, today announced the pricing of its underwritten public offering of 3,030,300 shares of common stock and accompanying warrants to purchase up to 3,030,300 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock is being sold together with one warrant at a combined purchase price of US$3.30. The warrants will be immediately exercisable at a price of US$3.30 per share and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock and accompanying warrants can only be purchased together in the offering, but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance. The warrants will not be listed on any exchange. Gross proceeds, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately US$10 million.

The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 454,545 additional shares of common stock and/or additional warrants to purchase up to an additional 454,545 shares of common stock at the public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is expected to close on February 11, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions.

Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.
A registration statement relating to the Shares was declared effective by the SEC on February 8, 2022. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022. Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Society Pass
SoPa’s customer loyalty and analytics platform has onboarded hundreds of thousands of registered consumers. SoPa provides merchants with SoPa.asia – an online commerce platform for users, alongside with #HOTTAB Biz – a convenient order management app for business partners on SoPa.asia, and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user’s profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises. All tools offered above will allow businesses to attract and retain customers through personalized interaction based on analytics with a high profit margin. SoPa also operates www.leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform. For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/

Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained herein may contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect the current view about future events. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained in this press release relating to the view of management of the Company concerning its business strategy, future operating results and liquidity and capital resources outlook. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

Verofax partners Twin Science and LikeToBe to Sponsor Antarctic Research on Sustainability

Verofax, a Smart serialization and traceability solution provider, has joined forces with children’s STEM app Twin Science and LikeToBe in sponsoring a scientific expedition to Antarctica to research the effects of microplastics on life, the environment and the melting of ice caps.

Verofax, Twin & LikeToBe sponsored an expedition to Antarctica in December. Led by Antony Jinman, the team spent 2 months gathering data on microplastics and the effect on environment and wildlife, while talking to children via the Twin Science app.
The aim of the expedition is encouraging children to act responsibly through education, with responsible consumption in line with the UNSDG #12, and through Gamification, turning children into advocates of sustainability for influencing older generations.

Verofax, Twin Science and LikeToBe share the common aim of providing “Tech for humanity”, and partnered in support of the scientific expedition to Antarctica. Polar Explorer Antony Jinman, the twelfth Briton to have skied to the geographic North Pole and skied solo to the geographic South Pole, led the expedition in December 2021, and spent 2 months in Antarctica gathering data on how microplastics are affecting the environment and wildlife.

The aim of this partnership’s collaboration is to inspire young children to act responsibly by re-educating them on responsible consumption in line with UNSDG goal #12, through gamification and turning children into advocates of sustainability for influencing older generations.

Antony documented the expedition and answered children’s questions in a series of interactive videos via the Twin Science app for children aged 7-12, hoping to encourage them to seek answers to questions such as “What are Microplastics, where do they come from and how does it affect life and the environment?”, “What would happen to the Antarctic habitat if all the ice caps melted?” and “What can we all do as responsible individuals?”

“This expedition to Antarctica is really promising and aims to provide insights on microplastics impact on life and the environment,” stated Antony. “We are happy to be partnering with Twin Science and Verofax to engage children on the expedition and the many challenges we faced to collect scientific evidence. Twin Science’ in-app education and Verofax’ sustainable lifestyle tracker are great vehicles to drive awareness on how to act responsibly and opt for greener choices.”

Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, explained, “Our solution enables transparency and auditability on consumer goods’ sustainable credentials. Sustainable brands can now engage with consumers and retailers and upsell their certified “Green” range of products, while retailers and consumers are empowered to check and validate product lifecycle assessment before purchasing, interact with the product and advocate sustainable brands among peers. We believe this process begins naturally with sustainable education for youth, and as gamification which is a very powerful medium.”

Asude Altintas, CEO and co-founder of Twin Science, says “This is a new approach to education. First, it excites us immensely to bring young ‘Twinners’ through our Twin Science app, along for this incredible journey to Antarctica and have them overcome challenges with Antony in real-time. Secondly, with Verofax, we want to not just tell, but show children how real climate change is, and that they themselves can take action to combat this.

“In the Twin app, all our content aims to show children how to use STEM for good, and we believe this is a great opportunity to do so. To date, we have had over 500,000 children use our STEM kits and STEM apps or attend our STEM workshops, and we have seen them use their know-how to invent earthquake detectors, reforestation robots, or ocean cleaning ships. We hope that what they experience on this journey will inspire them to revert the effects of climate change one day.”

Prof Dr Ger Graus OBE, the Project and Education Advisor to this partnership, explained, “As someone who is a firm believer in introducing children to the wonderful role models who provide inspiration and aspiration, I am confident in this partnership’s ability to have true social, environmental, and sustainable impact.”

Expedition to Antarctica at https://twitter.com/twin_science/status/1475195508738170884.

About Verofax
Founded in 2018, Verofax blockchain-powered ‘Traceability as a Service’ solution enables brands to validate their sustainability claims with a repository of credentials, while bringing their products to life with unique digital IDs offering immersive customer experiences. Verofax helps brands to upsell their sustainable product range based on sustainable rating metrics, which includes 6 data points in line with UNSDG Goal No.12.

Verofax Limited has received investment from global investors such as Benson Oak Ventures, Wami Capital and 500 Startups, totalling $3.0M. Verofax is a Microsoft Gold partner, co-selling on enterprise solution platforms such as Microsoft AppSource, Amazon AWS and Alibaba’s AntChain. For more information, visit https://www.verofax.com/industries/sustainability/ or Email info@verofax.com.

About Twin
Twin Science & Robotics is a new-generation edtech startup that empowers children with 21st century skills and provides STEM education with a humanitarian perspective through its physical and digital products. The company started within the scope of YGA’s World Science Movement, a social responsibility project that organized science workshops throughout Anatolia. Twin was incorporated in October 2017 and has raised $2.5M seed-round to date. Staying loyal to its NGO roots, Twin donates part of its revenue to social responsibility projects. For more information, visit https://www.twinscience.com/en/what-is-climate-change-for-kids/.

MoU Between Verofax Asia and Distichain to Enable Empowered Digital Global Trade

Under the patronage of YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Annuar Bin Musa, Malaysian Minister of Communications and Multimedia, and with the participation of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on January 12th, 2022, between Capt. Koh Chen Tien, Chairman of Verofax Asia, and Mr. Haisam Jamal, CEO of Distichain. The event took place at the Address Dubai Marina, where attendees from around the world were present for the opening of Malaysia Digital Week, taking place at Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE.

The aim of the MoU is to create the first digital ASEAN B2B cross-border trade platform to facilitate a potential of RM 50 Billion Malaysian trade internationally with seamless digital transactions over the next 5 to 10 years. The collaboration between Distichain and Verofax Asia will offer a platform that delivers Digital B2B marketplaces as a service (MAAS) to enterprises by offering full marketplaces or through API integration.

Using blockchain and AI as core technologies, the platform digitizes global trade with end-to-end transactions through its ecosystem of supply-chain, verification, and trade finance providers. The solution enables suppliers to readily plug their catalogs, update product data, manage routes and orders, verify documentation and access aggregate financing and logistics all in one place. This unique platform that simplifies, secures, and empowers every participant in a trade.

“The signing of this MoU is an important step for Distichain’s ambition to continue the further development and expansion of its solution. We are especially pleased to be taking this step alongside our partner Verofax Asia, and impact the ASEAN trading industry with rapid digital transformation through our one-day marketplace activation approach,” said Mr Haisam Jamal.

Captain Koh added, “This platform will instantly digitalize the entire export and import process in governmental, non-governmental enterprises as well as SMEs. It will generate low-cost opportunity to digitize processes, introduce trade finance and automate supply-chain across all industries, accelerating economic growth in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. Through this partnership agreement signed today, we will further develop our technologies to meet the ongoing digitalization of international trade. Verofax Asia will have a massive impact on the performances of exports and imports with rapid digitalization, all the while building a resilient digital infrastructure and foster innovation for the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Participation (RCEP) Trade Agreement, which came into effect on 1st January 2022.”

About Verofax:
Verofax utilizes patented technology incorporating Blockchain, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to provide ‘Traceability as a Service’, enabling brands to turn their offline products interactive, and manage their entire supply chain to trace goods, fend off counterfeit activities, and improve manufacturers’ productivity. Brands can extend their reach directly to end-consumers, thereby increasing consumer intimacy with direct engagement, and leveraging the boom in NFTs and metaverse experiences. Visit: www.verofax.com, or Email: info@verofax.com.

About Distichain:
Distichain delivers B2B marketplaces as a service (MAAS) to customers using blockchain and AI, digitizing global trade with end-to-end transactions through its ecosystem of supply-chain, verification, and trade finance providers. SMEs and enterprises alike benefit from automated transactions governed by the system to deliver door-to-door border agnostic trading, with on-platform trade compliance present rules. Using smart contracts, Distichain ensures the highest levels of data privacy, and by connecting to innovative solutions within Fintech and Supply Chain, it facilitates transactions backed by instant trade finance with zero email trading. Distichain’s objectives are to simplify cross-border trading, secure end-to-end transactions, and empower decision-makers with real-time AI analytics. Visit: www.distichain.com, or Email: info@distichain.com.

Startup Funding – Wikisoft Corp. plans Digital Shake-up

Wikisoft Corp. (OTCQB:WSFT), a big data and business analytics company, today announced plans to digitize startup funding and accelerate matching startups with investors.

Once a startup’s seed investment round is secured then the fledgling company powers ahead to create a minimal viable product (MVP). Once the MVP is proven, the founders of the startup will soon require further investment to accelerate growth. They participate in a series of investment rounds – series A, B or C, depending on the maturity of the business.

This is a stressful period and an arduous process involving introductions, pitches, negotiations, term sheets, and all the intricacies that go with each stage and every round. The time is ripe to change from manual processes to digital, creating a trusted and authenticated system to bring together high-potential, dynamic, young, fully-operational startups with groups of wily discerning tech investors looking for capital appreciation.

Deloitte recently wrote that 23% of the fund order process is still being handled manually, mainly though fax orders which have a significant impact on distribution costs. PwC surveyed 100 Private Equity houses with a minimum EUR250m assets under management. The PE houses named digitization as the most important megatrend influencing new investment.

Wikisoft, listed on OTCQB, is a fast growing, international, agile, big-data-powered, company which in today’s fast-moving business world of increasing globalization leverages big data and associated insights from global business datasets to improve performance.

In line with this new phase of digitization and globalization, Wikisoft sees a growing demand for access to credible and reliable business data about startups and investors and has an ambition to digitalize the process of matching the right startup with the right investor and accelerate the investment process.

Carsten Kjems Falk, Wikisoft’s CEO, spoke about the company’s vision, “Our advancement will accelerate matching investor to startup, and vice versa, at a lower risk through credible and reliable business data. Series A, B and C investment rounds will be more efficient for all parties via digitization. It will enable startups to concentrate on scaling-up their business, becoming highly valued, and eventually opening the possibilities for even further expansion. Investors will have an efficient way of finding prospects and make the right investments.”

ABOUT WIKISOFT CORPORATION

In today’s fast-moving business world of increasing globalization, Wikisoft leverages big data and associated insights from business datasets to improve performance.

In line with this new phase of globalization, Wikisoft believes that there is a growing demand for access to credible and reliable business data. Data is essential to creating the complete view of customers, prospects, investors, suppliers, and partners necessary to power the right decisions.
Our vision is to create opportunity globally by collecting precise data, curating it, verifying it and putting it in the hands of professionals and businesses as consumable business intelligence. We believe in the power of Wikisoft to collect massive amounts of data and deliver it to businesses curated, credible and reliable.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature about the Company. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “future” or other similar expressions. The Company has based these forward-looking statements primarily on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect Company’s financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. There is no assurance that the Company’s current expectations and projections are accurate. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on the Company’s information on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, nor any solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company. The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

CONTACT
WikiSoft Corp.
315 Montgomery Street, San Francisco,
CA 94104, USA
Phone: +1-800-706-0806
Email: investor@wikisoft.com
Investor site: www.wikisoft.com

SOURCE: WikiSoft Corp.
Plato Data Intelligence: https://zephyrnet.com

1982 Ventures backs Indo AgriTrading Marketplace PasarMIKRO

Promoting Market Access & Financial Inclusion for Farmers thru B2B Agri Commodity Platform

1982 Ventures has invested in PasarMIKRO, an Indonesian-based Agri Commodity Marketplace startup that empowers disadvantaged farmers by simplifying transactions for both farmers and traders.

Since their pilot in December 2020 PasarMIKRO has helped farmers to trade and finance the distribution of over 5,000 tonnes of eggs and other commodities. Image Credits: Dien Wong (Co-founder and CEO of PasarMIKRO) with customers.
PasarMIKRO’S app allows farmers and traders an easy way to manage existing trading relationships and discover new traders on the platform. Image Credits: Detik.com.
  • PasarMIKRO has raised funds from 1982 Ventures and prominent angels.
  • PasarMIKRO is an ag-tech startup aiming to disrupt Indonesia’s USD$130B agriculture market by connecting farmers and traders.
  • PasarMIKRO will use the funds to expand its team and to reach out to more farming communities in Indonesia.

PasarMIKRO was founded by former Altermyth co-founder Dien Wong. Since their pilot in December 2020 the company has helped farmers to trade and finance the distribution of over 5,000 tonnes of eggs and other commodities. Despite the effects of the pandemic, Indonesia’s USD$130 billion agriculture market remains one of the top industries ripe for disruption.

Dien Wong states, “PasarMIKRO is looking after Indonesia’s main providers, farmers and traders who are often overlooked. We are transforming the landscape for a more inclusive digital economy. We foresee that with the digitization of the ecosystem, it will enable a scalable future food value chain.”

The Indonesian-based company provides various services for farmers and traders for their daily transactions such as bookkeeping, lending, and marketplace for farmers and the ecosystem to sell their products easily without limitations.

PasarMIKRO has established partnerships with Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), one of Indonesia’s largest banks, and Rabo Foundation, a social fund backed by European agricultural bank Rabo Bank with a mission to give smallholder farmers the prospect of a sustainable future.

Herston Elton Powers, Managing Partner of 1982 Ventures stated, “Unlike other platforms, PasarMIKRO works with the entire supply chain to enable more efficient agricultural financing and transactions. We have not seen an inclusive financing model in Southeast Asia achieve what appears to be such a product-market fit, and begin scaling as early as PasarMIKRO. PasarMIKRO is incredibly capital efficient and has seen impressive disbursement growth since day one.”

Scott Krivokopich, Managing Partner of 1982 Ventures stated, “Indonesia’s agriculture ecosystem is massive and long overdue for modernization. Dien’s decades of experience in game development and time spent in the field with farmers is the driving force behind PasarMIKRO’s impressive growth.”

The funds will be used to expand PasarMIKRO’s team and reach out to more farming communities in Indonesia.

For media enquiries:
dienw@pasarmikro.id

About PasarMIKRO:
PasarMIKRO is a business-to-business aggregated agriculture marketplace with integrated financing facilities. The platform aims to simplify the transaction of farmers and traders in Indonesia’s agriculture market. For more information visit: https://www.pasarmikro.id.

About 1982 Ventures:
1982 Ventures is the leading seed fund investing in fintech startups in Southeast Asia. Our focus makes us the first port of call for fintech founders and the first money in. Our investments include Southeast Asian Open Banking API Platform Brick, Indonesian Personal Finance App Pina, Indonesia’s first Earned Wage Access platform Wagely, Philippine MSME book-keeping app Lista, Vietnam’s leading investment platform Infina, Vietnam’s leading “Buy Now, Pay Later” Fundiin, Vietnam’s Rent-to-Own Home Financing app Homebaseand Singapore’s automated financial data delivery platform Bluesheets.

1982 Ventures is investing in and supporting the best founders to positively impact the future of financial services in Southeast Asia. For more information visit: https://1982.vc.

Verofax secures $1.5M in pre-Series A to expand its Traceability as a Service Offering

Verofax Limited, an Asset Digitization and Traceability solutions provider, today announced closing a $1.5M pre-Series A round by international investors led by Benson Oak Ventures, with 500 Startups, Wami Capital and Vernalis Capital completing the group.

Verofax utilizes patented technology incorporating Blockchain, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to provide ‘Traceability as a Service’, enabling brands to turn their offline products interactive, and manage their entire supply chain to trace goods, fend off counterfeit activities, and improve manufacturers’ productivity. Brands can extend their reach directly to end-consumers, thereby increasing consumer intimacy with direct engagement, and leveraging the boom in NFTs and metaverse experiences.

The funds will be used to expand the Company’s sales and marketing activities on a global level, ahead of a planned Series A round later in 2022. Verofax solutions are applicable to a wide range of industries (Retail and CPG) and are already used by leading brands such as Anheuser Busch Inc. Verofax is a Microsoft Gold partner, and has secured a global network of distributors and resellers, and co-selling on enterprise solution platforms including Microsoft Appsource, Amazon AWS and Ant Group Antchain.

Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, said: “Our solution helps brands turn their products into a direct-to-consumer communication channel and deliver amazing experiences to drive growth and boost loyalty while also promoting greener product choices and ESG auditability. Verofax also helps turn give-aways into collectible and tradeable NFTs, interoperable across several metaverse environments. We are thrilled to be joined by investors that will help accelerate our growth trajectory through their collective expertise, network, and leadership.”

Robert Cohen, Managing Director of lead investor Benson Oak Ventures, said: “We have a very specific investment thesis that brands will leverage Web 3 & NFTs to reinvent their engagement & business models with consumers, creating entirely new service categories. Verofax has demonstrated early product market fit, leveraging its proprietary technology to sell its Traceability solution to many different types of brands and help them navigate this new world. We have been incredibly impressed by Wassim and the whole Verofax team, and thrilled to be making this our first investment in the UAE.”

Chetan Mehta, CEO of Wami Capital, said, “Verofax Blockchain-based traceability and validation solution empowers brands in the consumer goods and retail industry to promote sustainable products and allows consumers to choose greener brands and enjoy immersive experiences. Verofax traceability prevents counterfeiting in the supply chain across pharmaceutical, manufacturing, consumer, retail and logistics. We look forward to working with Verofax team to accelerate the adoption of their solution across our ecosystem.”

About Verofax
Verofax is a blockchain-enabled Asset Digitization and Traceability solution provider with a presence across North America, Europe, Asia and MEA regions. Verofax’s solution is available across multiple cloud environments, helping businesses transform its physical products to interactive, and enable meaningful engagements with immersive user interfaces. For technical matters, visit Verofax at https://www.verofax.com or contact info@verofax.com.

About Benson Oak Ventures
Benson Oak, with a new office in Abu Dhabi, is a venture capital firm with 20 years experience in Europe, the US and the Middle East, with an increased focus on Web3 and ‘passionware’ – where everyone is a business. Investments have included Internet security leader AVG, video marketing platform Promo.com, crypto wallet ZenGo and HCM platform Harri. http://bensonoakventures.com.

About Wami Capital
Wami Capital, a single-family fund, focuses on supply chain activities of the Transworld Group. https://wamicapital.com.

About 500 Startup Sanabil MENA Fund
500 Startups (500), one of the most active global early stage venture capital firms, has partnered with Sanabil Investments, a financial investment company focused on global private investments in venture capital, growth and small buyout. This follows the recent announcement of the establishment of 500 Startups’ new MENA regional headquarters in Riyadh. https://ecosystems.500.co/sanabil500accelerator.

About Vernalis Capital
Vernalis Capital is the family-owned investment company of Bala Chandra, founder of Vernalis. Vernalis Capital believes in providing entrepreneurs strategic leverage and seeks to build an ecosystem of synergistic companies which helps entrepreneurs pursue their own vision and goals while being supported wherever required. With a strong global network of partners and alliances, Vernalis Capital opens access to global managerial talent and mutually beneficial networking opportunities. https://www.vernaliscapital.com.

Society Pass (SoPa) Announces Inclusion in Russell 2000 Index

Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: “SOPA”) (“SoPa” or “the Comapny”), the leading Southeast Asian data-driven loyalty platform, today, announced that the company has been added to the Russell 2000 Index, effective at the open of U.S. markets on December 20, 2021 and according to the preliminary list of IPO additions to the Russell indexes.

Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Society Pass, Dennis Nguyen said “Building on the momentum of our successful IPO, the inclusion of Society Pass to these highly regarded and widely used indexes will increase the visibility of our stock to the wider global investment community and attract new classes of investors to our register.”

Membership in the Russell 2000 Index, which remains in place until the next reconstitution, is based on membership in the broad-market Russell 3000 Index. The Russell US Indexes are commonly used as performance benchmarks, or as the basis for index-linked products including index tracking funds, derivatives, and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics, and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98 percent of the investable market globally. According to FTSE Russell, a core set of universal principles guides FTSE Russell index design and management: a transparent rules-based methodology is informed by independent committees of leading market participants.

Society Pass recently also announced its ambition to accelerate its growth in Southeast Asia through the launch of its regional headquarters in Singapore on 16 December 2021. Located at Raffles Place in the heart of the Singapore central business district, the new office acts as the company’s designated Asia Pacific hub for regional business and expansion opportunities, in particular, the acquisition and acceleration of high growth ecommerce businesses in the key focus markets of Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines.

SoPa is a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem that operates multiple e-commerce and lifestyle platforms across its key markets. Its business model focuses on collecting user data through the expected circulation of its universal loyalty points. It seamlessly connects consumers and merchants across multiple product and service categories fostering organic loyalty. From its launch in 2019, SoPa has amassed over 1.5 million registered users and over 3,500 registered merchants and brands. It has since invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its Platform’s consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

About Society Pass

Society Pass’ customer loyalty and analytics platform has onboarded hundreds of thousands of registered consumers. Society Pass provides merchants with SoPa.asia – an online commerce platform for users, alongside with #HOTTAB Biz – a convenient order management app for business partners on SoPa.asia, and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user’s profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises. All tools offered above will allow businesses to attract and retain customers through personalized interaction based on analytics with a high profit margin. In addition, SoPa operates Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform. For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/

Media contact
PRecious Communications for SoPa
sopa@preciouscomms.com