Yimie Yong

VC industry benefits from having diverse perspectives, says Amra Naidoo of Accelerating Asia [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

In the TechNode Global Q&A, Amra Naidoo shared her story of how she started the early stage VC firm Accelerating Asia and her journey working in the male-dominated VC industry. She also shared the challenges she met working with startups and how Accelerating Asia is positioning itself to tap into opportunities that are overlooked by others.

Malaysia PropTech firm Speedhome eyes unicorn status in 3 years

Speedhome aims to expand regionally to 10 other metropolitan cities in the next five years, namely Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Singapore, to emerge as Southeast Asia’s PropTech unicorn.

Eric Cheng, CEO of Carsome Group

Carsome partners Catcha to create SEA’s largest digital automotive marketplace via $200M acquisition of iCar Asia

Catcha Group will become a shareholder of the Carsome Group in exchange for the sale of its shares in iCar Asia to Carsome.

Gender diversity gap is ‘definitely stark’ in VC industry, says Quest Ventures’ Goh Yiping [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

Goh said she enjoys setting an example that a female VC can be as logical, as non-emotional, as strong in dealmaking, as battle-tested, if not more than her male counterparts.

Val Yap, Founder & CEO, PolicyPal

InsurTech startup PolicyPal addresses pain points faced by policyholders [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

PolicyPal Founder and CEO Val Yap shares her story of how personal challenges led her to start a company that digitalizes insurance comparison and management. She also offers advice to fellow female entrepreneurs on the importance of mentorship and finding the right support groups.

Pickupp to expand presence in Malaysia after completing Series A and A+ funding co-led by PChome, Cornerstone Ventures

Pickupp Malaysia plans to expand coverage of more territories in Malaysia, grow its workforce of delivery agents, and continue investing in technology to further improve its offerings in the market.

MiRXES secures $77M Series C funding to accelerate multi-cancer early detection pipeline

Led by CR-CP Life Science Fund, this new capital will support MiRXES’s growth as a global leader in cancer early detection tests and preventive healthcare.

Singapore end-to-end e-commerce logistics firm Janio raises $8M from Choco Up to accelerate regional expansion

Choco Up's investment is part of a wider closed round bridge investment, which also includes funding from Singapore-based Innoven Capital and Janio’s existing shareholders.

AirAsia considers listing digital business in US via SPAC to raise $300M

CEO Tony Fernandes said a few technology-focused SPACs have approached the airline group, and AirAsia has engaged auditors for a deal to list the unit.

AirAsia to acquire Gojek’s Thai operations for $50M via share swap deal

The purchase considerations for the proposed acquisitions will be wholly satisfied by the issue of new shares in the AirAsia SuperApp. Gojek will own 4.76 percent in AirAsia SuperApp after the proposed acquisition.