TechNode Global Staff

The Board of Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), Malaysia’s focal point agency for Malaysian startup ecosystem under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), has announced the appointment of Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), effective November 23, 2023.

Singapore-based digital finance platform Funding Societies has partnered with a Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC), a Malaysian federal government agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), to enhance financing access to halal small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs).

Malaysia-based digital media firm Catcha Digital Berhad is acquiring 51 percent equity interest in digital agency, DS Services Sdn Bhd or more commonly known as “Digital Symphony” among industry players for MYR 21.17 million ($4.55 million).

In response to rising carbon dioxide emissions in Asia, global impact firm responsAbility Investments AG (responsAbility), together with Germany's development bank KfW and the Dutch development bank FMO, has launched a $500 million climate investment strategy.

TON Foundation announced Tuesday that Animoca Brands, the Hong Kong-based company advancing digital property rights for gaming and the open metaverse, has become the largest validator of The Open Network (TON) Blockchain.

Singapore state investor Temasek's philanthropy trust Temasek Trust has inked deal to acquire bionic financial advisor MoneyOwl to enhance financial well-being of communities. Temasek trust said in a statement has signed an expression of interest with NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited (NTUC Enterprise) regarding the proposed acquisition of MoneyOwl.

The Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) has supported 191 Malaysian companies to accelerate since 2020. In 2023, its National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) spearheaded by MRANTI has enabled 27 Malaysian technology companies to commercialize 27 products, turning in MYR 87.2 million ($18.67 million) in sales.

Philippines-based finance app GCash – operated by the country’s fintech firm Mynt – has entered agrifintech through a strategic bid with Mayani, an agri-fisheries platform connecting smallholder farmers and fishers to buyers, to tackle the nation’s elusive phenomenon of rural financial inclusion.

Airo, a brand of CP Global Fintech Solutionshas made its official entry into the fintech arena as Malaysia’s first actively managed digital investment platform.

Lotus Technology, a global luxury electric vehicle maker of British sports car firm Lotus Group, which is owned jointly by Chinese automaker Geely and Malaysia's Etika Automotive, has secured additional financing ahead of the completion of its planned business combination with L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp (LCAA). The firm has signed agreements for a…