News
ZA Bank to launch virtual asset trading services for retail investors under new licensing regime
ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s virtual bank, has Wednesday unveiled its plan to introduce virtual asset trading services for retail investors. With this move, the firm is set to support the Hong Kong SAR government’s vision to develop a vibrant sector and ecosystem for virtual assets.
Singapore’s Insider announces $105M investment led by QIA to accelerate M&A-focused strategy
Singapore-based marketing platform Insider has on Wednesday announced an investment of up to $105 million from existing investors, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) — and Esas Private Equity.
Mapletree Industrial Trust enters Japan with $370M data center acquisition in Osaka
Mapletree Industrial Trust Management Ltd., as manager of Singapore-based Mapletree Industrial Trust (MIT), has announced the acquisition of a newly built data center in Osaka, Japan through the purchase of the trust beneficial interest at a purchase consideration of JPY 52 billion ($370 million).
Lazada unveils eCommerce AI Chatbot LazzieChat in Southest Asia
Singapore-based e-commerce operator Lazada Group has released LazzieChat, the first eCommerce artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot of its kind in Southeast Asia powered by OpenAI ChatGPT technology in Azure OpenAI Service.
Hyundai Motor Group partners LG Energy Solution to establish $4.3B battery cell factory in U.S.
South Korean automobile firm Hyundai Motor Group and battery company LG Energy Solution (LGES) have announced an electric vehicle (EV) battery cell manufacturing joint venture in the United States on Friday.
Singapore’s ZUZU Hospitality raises $9M in oversubscribed Series B round led by SoftBank Ventures Asia
ZUZU Hospitality Solutions Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based revenue platform provider for independent hotels, has on Thursday announced the successful completion of an oversubscribed $9 million Series B round led by SoftBank Ventures Asia.
Axiata plans to launch digital bank by year-end – report
Malaysia-based telco Axiata Group Bhd plans to launch its digital bank by end-2023 and targets to make it profitable over the next three to four years
Bossjob attracts 2.9 million users in the Philippines, secures $5m funding to boost globalization efforts
Bossjob, an online job search platform in the Philippines, has secured $5 million funding to boost globalization efforts. The company is venturing into Singapore and Indonesian markets this month, with the Hong Kong market in plan for the third quarter of 2023.
Singapore-based DTC bespoke jeweler MADLY raises new funding from East Ventures
MADLY, Singapore’s direct to consumer (DTC) jewelry design house, has on Thursday announced an investment received from the regional venture capital firm East Ventures. With the support of the funds jewelry brand said it is poised to accelerate its international expansion.
Government-backed startup Studio Indonesia Alumni raises $65.8M in funding
Startup Studio Indonesia (SSI), a startup accelerator program backed by the Indonesian government, has on Friday announced that its alumni have collectively secured funding worth $65.8 million.
