Also, Polychain Capital and NGC Ventures invest US$10M to CoinFLEX

Singapore now has a mobile app-based trademark registration [Press Release]

Singapore announces that it has rolled out an app-based trademark registration that is developed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). The app is called IPOS Go, and it will allow businesses and entrepreneurs seeking trademark protection in Singapore to file their trademarks directly with IPOS via their mobile devices.

With a simplified user interface and features, it promises an easier, more affordable, and faster application, claiming that filing a trademark on IPOS Go can now be finished in less than 10 minutes, from the current average of 45 to 60 minutes.

With IPOS Go, applicants can also track their registration status, be notified of important updates, or file for trademark renewals via the app, on-the-go.

The app further integrates AI technology to enhance searches for similar trademarks on the IPOS register, which can prevent applicants from filings for trademarks that are too similar to existing ones. The new AI capability will help business owners better manage their brands.

HR platform Pulsifi appoints Peter Vogt and Terrence Yong as Advisor and Chief Business Officer [Press Release]

In a bid to support its global expansion plans, Pulsifi has added two talents to its leadership team: the first is former Nestlé Group Chief Human Resources Officer and current Nestlé Deutschland Board Chairman Peter Vogt as Board Advisor, and former SAP Senior Advisor and Managing Director Terrence Yong as Chief Business Officer.

Also Read: Singapore HR startup Pulsifi raises US$1.1M to enhance its AI tech

Peter Vogt is to contribute his experience in human resources and business, especially in the consumer goods industry. Vogt has managed to strengthen the business focus of the HR function and fostered a culture of diversity and inclusion during his tenure as Head of Group Human Resources at Nestlé from 2013-2018.

Terrence Yong, as a new Chief Business Officer, will bring on board his knowledge in enterprise software and technology, having served for over 20 years in country direct and indirect sales and regional operations of SAP and Microsoft. His specialties include the business and people aspects of strategy, go-to-market, execution, and transformation.

Pulsifi partners with industry-leading clients such as Nestlé, Reckitt Benckiser, and Deutsche Telekom’s T-Systems on talent acquisition and talent management across seven countries in Asia. Since its establishment in 2016, Pulsifi has raised over US$2 million in funding.

Hong Kong-based CoinFLEX secures US$10M funding from Polychain Capital, NGC Ventures [Press Release]

CoinFLEX, a physically delivered crypto futures exchange, has announced that it managed to secure over US$10 million in funding this year from Polychain Capital; an investor in cryptocurrency protocols and companies, and NGC Ventures II, the multi-strategy crypto fund of NGC Ventures.

Other investors include Divergence Digital Currency, a venture fund that invests in crypto assets and associated early-stage projects leveraging distributed ledger and related technologies, and Bitcoin Cash advocate and Angel Investor, Roger Ver.

CoinFLEX claimed that it currently has a US$150,000,000 trading volume, CoinFLEX expressed its need to support growth and further accelerate liquidity, which is why CoinFLEX also launches the Market Making Program initiative. Aimed at professional proprietary trading firms, hedge funds, and institutions within the cryptocurrency industry, the incentive program will allow eligible firms to participate in the platform while meeting CoinFLEX’s predetermined monthly objectives.

Viu and Wattpad enter into content partnership [Press Release]

Wattpad, the multiplatform company for original stories, and Viu, a pan-regional OTT video service from PCCW Media Group, today announced a collaboration to develop Viu Original series and film projects based on Wattpad stories.

Viu is known for providing premium Asian content. It said that it is committed to creating content assets through its growing slate of Viu Original.

Also Read: Viu to offer Singaporeans head start on Korean dramas and variety shows

Through the collaboration, Viu will work with Wattpad to develop youth-oriented shows across its markets. The companies will leverage Wattpad’s Story DNA Machine Learning technology to identify stories and guide the development process.

Viu currently operates across 17 markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, India, and South Africa with Viu-ers spending an average 1.2 to 1.8 hours daily on the platform. Wattpad claimed to have a global community of 80 million users, including more than 22 million users across the Asia Pacific region, who spend billions of minutes on the platform every month.

The post Today’s top tech news, July 22, 2019: Singapore becomes the first in familiarising app-based trademark registration appeared first on e27.