PropertyGuru Group, the Singapore-based property technology company, announced Thursday the appointment of Lu Yao as Managing Director, effective September 15. As Managing Director, he will lead the growth of the Group’s Singapore marketplace business, PropertyGuru, and will drive strategies that deliver value to property seekers and customers, the proptech firm said in a statement. According to the statement, Lu Yao will be a part of the group’s Executive Leadership Team (XLT)...

Cities take up 3 percent of the Earth’s surface, yet hold more than half the global population. That share is only growing, with urban centres absorbing an ever-larger proportion of people. This influx of billions of people is leading to more traffic, greater demand for energy, water, and housing, as well as a sharp rise in waste. This is the reality that mayoral leaders all over the globe are currently facing, hence it’s no surprise that smart cities have become such a big...

Indonesia-based PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk (GoTo), the parent company of Gojek and Tokopedia, has announced the resignation of members of its Board of Directors and Board of Commissioners. The firm said in a statement on last Friday that the company has received resignations from two members of the board of directors last Wednesday. Thomas Kristian Husted, resigning from his position as Vice President Director – he will continue to focus on supporting GoTo Financial. Meanwhile, Nila...

Cocoon Capital, a Singapore-based early-stage venture capital firms, has announced the first close of its third fund, Cocoon Capital Fund III, securing $30 million in commitments towards a target of $50 million. The new fund will continue the firm’s high-conviction strategy of backing the region’s most promising enterprise and deep tech startups from the earliest stages, combining capital with intensive hands-on support to help them scale globally, the firm said in a statement on...

PolicyStreet, a Malaysian insurtech company, has announced the launch of the Furniture Protection Plan (FPP) in partnership with Ashley Furniture HomeStore, with an intuitive claims portal set to launch in mid-May to further simplify furniture insurance. PolicyStreet said in a statement on Thursday that the FPP is a comprehensive microinsurance plan that provides coverage for the repair or replacement of furniture damaged by accidents, fire, or floods, offering protection for up to one year....