Also, pi Ventures invests in OweMe, and more

SingPost partners logistics platform LogiNext – [press release]

Singapore Post, or SingPost, has partnered with logistics platform LogiNext to improve its delivery services.

By integrating LogiNext’s machine learning and AI route planning software into its last mile platform (LaMP), SingPost aims to develop optimised courier delivery routes based on multiple factors such as parcel destinations, customer preferences (for instance, ‘blackouts’ or preferred times for delivery) as well as real-time ground data including traffic and weather conditions.

By tapping into LogiNext, SingPost will also be able to automatically send customers delivery alerts half an hour before their parcel arrives.

All of these factors will be dealt with from a single screen called the control tower, providing end-to-end visibility connecting multiple GPS tracking systems and APIs.

SingPost and LogiNext are in the midst of integrating the route planning AI software into
the LaMP, and the integration is expected to be complete next year.

pi Ventures invests US$1 million in blockchain startup OweMe – [press release]

Bangalore-based VC pi Ventures has made a US$1 million investment in London-based blockchain startup OweMe.

OweMe helps businesses cut expenditure by removing supply chain costs using provenance and disintermediation for banks, large corporate buyers and suppliers. The funding will be used for strengthening the product and the team.

Also Read: Hargapedia monitors, tracks and compares grocery prices in Malaysia — both offline and online

The company is registered with the FCA to issue electronic money that lets companies create, pay and track their own currency pegged against fiat currencies to reduce friction and increase financial efficiencies.

The company’s platform enables banks and Fortune 10,000 companies to lend to their supply chain. Its payment model makes it cost neutral for large corporate buyers and cheaper for smaller vendors to borrow.

Wow Venue raises US$1.5 million – [press release]

India-based venue booking platform Wow Venue has raised US$1.5 million from strategic investor Pranav Pathak.

It will use the newly-raised capital to enhance its tech, build its brand, and acquire new talent.

Founded in 2016 by Ganesh Rai, the Wow Venue’s platform makes it easy to search, choose, and book the right venue for any event, including weddings, corporate functions and other social events. The company also offers a ‘dedicated venue expert’ to further support its clients.

The company currently offers 2,000 venues across over 12 countries.

Grab launches R&D centre in Malaysia – [e27]

Southeast Asia ride-hailing giant Grab has launched an R&D centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the company was first founded in 2012.

The new R&D centre is Grab’s seventh globally. It has centres based in Bangalore, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Seattle and Singapore.

The Malaysian centre will hire 100 tech employees in its first year of operations, including software engineers, data scientists and data analysts.

The team will focus on developing and enhancing real-time communications features such as VOIP calls via GrabChat, as well as build other web features. They will also develop new safety measures through machine learning.

Singapore’s Osome raises US$2 million – [e27]

Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) platform for business management Osometoday announced a US$2 million seed funding round led by Berlin-based venture capital firm Target Global.

Phystech Ventures, AD.RU funds, and several angel investors also participated in the funding round.

Osome plans to use the funding round to develop new products and expand their services into new markets, starting with Australia and Hong Kong.

Launched in January, Osome facilitates business management for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by utilising AI.

It uses chatbot to run tasks that include business registration, company record-keeping, accounting, filing of annual returns, corporate secretary services, and payroll management, enabling users to cut down on middlemen and perform these tasks more conveniently.

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Image Credit: Kae Lee

The post Today’s top tech news, December 11: SingPost partners LogiNext to optimise delivery routes appeared first on e27.

Source: E27