Southeast Asia's biggest ride-hailing service Grab is extending its partnership with Splyt. (Image via Says)

Grab Invests in London Startup, Users Can Soon Book Rides Outside Southeast Asia

Singaporean ride-hailing company Grab has just invested in London-based startup Splyt Technologies to extend a partnership between the two companies. With a US$8 million, the transport software company will help Grab to develop its ‘super app’ that will expand the reach of its services beyond Southeast Asia.

Splyt, which was founded in 2015, has developed a software that allows users to book a driver from a ride-hailing company through the app of their preference. With the software, Splyt can integrate its mobility partners’ network into the Grab app. This will allow Grab users traveling outside Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries where it operates to book rides on the app and have them fulfilled by Splyt’s partners. At present, the two companies allow international visitors to book Grab rides across 366 in eight Southeast Asian countries through either of their respective apps. In addition, users will also be able to use their own language on the app and even pay the rides using their home currency.

Philipp Mintchin, the chief executive of Splyt, said that the deal made with Grab will cater to the needs and demands of the global traveler.
The company had been previously working with other ride-hailing companies such as Careem, which was acquired by Uber recently, Gett, and payments provider Alipay.

Grab was engaged in a supremacy battle across Asia with the US firm Uber until 2018 when the company sold its South Asian business to Grab and retreated from the markets. To improve its services, the Singaporean company also announced a plan to add other features such as restaurant reviews, in-app travel tips, and attraction recommendations on its app.

Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2019/06/25/ride-hailing-firm-grab-invests-london-startup-splyt-bid-transform/