Grab invests in London startup, expands reach beyond Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Grab has invested in the US$8 million series A round for London-based global mobility marketplace Splyt as part of a wider partnership.

Splyt plans to use the money to enter new markets, further develop its technology, and widen its network of partners.

Photo credit: Tech in Asia

The deal will see Splyt integrate its network of mobility partners into the Grab app. This will allow Grab users traveling outside of Southeast Asia to book rides on the app then have them fulfilled by Splyt’s partners, and even pay using their home currency.

Currently, Grab and Splyt already allow international visitors to book Grab rides across 336 cities in eight countries in Southeast Asia via either of their respective apps.

The duo looks to capitalize on foreign arrivals in Southeast Asia, which data analytics company GlobalData expects to hit 155 million by 2022.

Grab plans to add features such as in-app travel tips, restaurant reviews, and attraction recommendations to its app, according to its statement today.

It’s also working with online travel company Booking.com to integrate ride-hailing into the latter’s platforms. This means consumers will be able to book Grab rides on the Booking app by the third quarter of this year.