Singapore’s proptech space breaks new ground

Check out our top articles for the week. [Read from your browser]( Top Stories of the Week Welcome to Tech in Asia's free Sunday newsletter! Get full access to our subscribers-only premium content and other insightful analysis on the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community by [registering here](. Hello {NAME} Back in the 2010s, when I was living in Delhi, I dreaded the process of moving homes and finding a flat within my budget. Negotiating with unregistered brokers consumed hours over several days. The startup culture was still in its infancy, so I relied on some Facebook groups to narrow down my searches. While ecommerce and food delivery was picking up, proptech startups were unheard of. Fast forward to 2024, if I have to look for a house now, my search will begin on a proptech platform. I believe the same goes for people living in Singapore, where startups are as integral to daily life as they are in Indian cities. I assume the recent unveiling of a new home listing service by Singapore’s Housing & Development Board will be warmly welcomed by prospective homebuyers. This service not only offers an additional research option for homebuyers but also introduces competitive pressure into a market dominated by players like PropertyGuru and 99.co, ultimately driving improvement to the industry. -- [Samreen Ahmad]( journalist at Tech in Asia  --------------------------------------------------------------- TOP STORIES THIS WEEK 1️. [PropertyGuru, 99.co unfazed by new HDB home listings portal](  PropertyGuru leads the market in Singapore, while 99.co emphasizes that property search is a "long journey" involving multiple website visits. 2. [For PM Wong, sustaining SG’s position as top tech hub calls for tough choices]( Founders and investors fret over rising costs, talent shortage, and an eroding competitive edge. Tackling each of these issues has trade-offs. 3. [Why fintech arms of GoTo, Grab, Sea deserve more attention]( Fintech has the potential to be more profitable than the other business units of Southeast Asia’s tech majors. 4. [How GIC can turn SGX’s slump around]( Analysts say that a small portion of the sovereign wealth fund could be allocated to the local bourse to boost valuations and investor confidence. 5. [Startups ditch SEA expansion for American Dream, but it’s not that simple]( Heading west or staying regional? Higher consumer spending and greater investor risk appetite are drawing some early-stage founders to America. 6. [Mapping the family offices spreading wealth across startups in SEA (updated)]( Family offices investing in Southeast Asia usually seek wealth safety, which makes Singapore a key location due to its currency stability. 7. [Lazada SG’s retrenched, non-union employees to receive $888 for training support]( The payment was negotiated by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and will be disbursed by August 31. 8. [12 lawsuits and a liquidation later, legal brawls continue for Hearti Lab’s founder]( Founder Keith Lim has denied creditors’ allegations, saying, “If anyone has evidence of fraud, they should contact the relevant authorities.” 9. [Capital SEA: Southeast Asia’s funding landscape]( Who are the new active investors on the block? Which funding rounds look like outliers? This visual story answers all this and more. 10. [Exclusive: Mighty Jaxx collects $11m more in series A+ round to fuel US, Europe growth]( The Singapore-based collectibles firm is targeting EBITDA profitability by the end of this year on the back of growing demand in the US. --------------------------------------------------------------- MOVE BEYOND TRADITIONAL MARKETING  RSVP now to learn how to turn your customers into brand advocates Tired of chasing likes and shares? It's time to build a community that actually cares. Join your fellow ecommerce, D2C, and social commerce leaders at our exclusive luncheon, powered by Agora, and discover how real-time engagement can transform passive customers into passionate brand advocates. Learn practical strategies, explore cutting-edge tools, and gain actionable insights. 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