Forget the neighborhood Whatsapp group. Meet NextBlock! This Singaporean startup just raised a $500,000 SGD (∼$362,000 USD) pre-seed.

• Since their launch in June this year, they've hit 15,000 users, 980 estates and 280 interest groups.

Investor check. Plug and Play APAC led the round. Farquhar Venture Capital and Razer's CEO Tan Min-Liang also joined in.

‍

📲 New app on the block

They're a hyperlocal social media app that connects real and verified neighbors.

• Keeping it safe. All users verify they live within the postal code through a verification code/proof of residency.

‍

🤷🏻‍♀️ What's it for?

To do everything you, your friends and neighbors already do — get to know each other, help out and share information.

• Explore trending topics and happenings in the area.
• Ask for recommendations (home repairs, real estate, maintenance, restaurants, repairs, anything you need!)
• Share neighborhood updates and send alerts of crimes and suspicious activity.
• Post items for sale and missing/found pets.

More than just you and I. NextBlock helps business owners tap into target audiences, and public agencies can communicate directly with the neighborhood.

‍

💵 Money matters

As a hyperlocal app for neighborhood communities, they're looking to monetize in the future through sponsorships — especially for local, homegrown businesses.

‍

💰 What's with the $$$?

They'll be launching a dedicated marketplace tab to improve the experience of buying/selling on NextBlock, as well as a merchant modules for local businesses already using the app.

Coming to a neighborhood you soon? Apart from that, they're looking to acquire more users in Singapore and expand to markets like Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.