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Hi there,
We have a special announcement this week, which you’ll find below. But first, let’s talk about insurance.
For one, it’s too complicated: Trying to figure out how my insurance policy works is a sure way to numb my brain.
And yet, it’s something that we need to buy, even though we may end up not using it.
This is just one of issues that underscore why insurance – and insurtech – remain underpenetrated in Southeast Asia.
But our big story this week is a map of the key insurtech players in the region, which shows that the space is hotter than ever, with record funding for startups and incumbents hopping onto the ride.
A significant development is the rise of full-stack insurtech companies, which not only sell policies but also own the hard-to-get licenses that are needed to underwrite them. We covered the emergence of these new players in another premium story.
A tenet of business strategy is how owning a scarce resource offers an important competitive edge.
Grab, the regional consumer app that’s also selling insurance, certainly has some advantages of its own. And boy, does it have a busy week – it’s set to ring the IPO bell on Thursday.
For this week’s hot take, we analyze why Grab backed Indonesian investment app Bareksa and what it means for both companies moving forward.
Now, about that announcement: In line with Grab’s monumental listing and the non-fungible token trend that’s sweeping the blockchain world, we’ll be releasing an NFT art piece this week to commemorate the milestone.
The artwork, which takes a (slightly) tongue-in-cheek look at Grab’s history, will be put up for auction, and most of the initial sale proceeds will go towards environmental causes.
Why are we doing this? It’s mostly because we’re curious about NFTs, and there’s no better way to learn than by getting our hands dirty.
We also believe NFTs have the potential to make digital artworks financially sustainable and rewarding, allowing people like us to invest in even more visual journalism.
THE BIG STORY
THE HOT TAKE
NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
FYI
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