Asia

Grab targets group adjusted EBITDA breakeven by second half of 2024

Singapore-based super app Grab Holdings Limited announced Tuesday that it is targeting to achieve breakeven on a group adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) basis by the second half of 2024, as it accelerates its path to profitability.

US’s Wasabi Technologies closes $250M new funding

Wasabi Technologies, a Japan-based hot cloud storage company, announced Wednesday it has achieved unicorn status following $250 million in new funding. The firm has raised $125 million in Series D equity led by L2 Point Management with participation from Cedar Pine; an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management; and returning investors including Fidelity…

AXA Hong Kong partners with The Sandbox to become first insurer in Hong Kong to enter metaverse

The Sandbox, a Hong Kong-based decentralised gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, and AXA Hong Kong, a Hong Kong-based insurer, announced Wednesday that AXA will become the first insurer in Hong Kong to enter The Sandbox metaverse.

Taiwan’s Aiello raises $5.8M to expand its voice AI solutions internationally

Aiello Inc., a Taiwan-based natural language processing and voice artificial intelligence (AI) startup, announced Monday it has raised $5.8 million in a Series Pre-A+ funding round. The round was led by two major institutional investors, JAFCO Asia and Wistron Corporation.

X-PITCH 2022 Global TOP150 announced

150 semi-finalists of this year’s X-PITCH were selected from 4,000+ startups in 51 countries.

True Global Ventures invests a total of $38M in Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands

The True Global Ventures (TGV) 4 Plus Fund and Follow On Fund have invested in total $38 million including $16 million of secondaries into Hong Kong-based Web 3 firm Animoca Brands during the second quarter and third quarter of 2022.

India’s Bhanzu secures $15M Series A funding led by Eight Roads Ventures

Bhanzu, an India-based math learning platform, announced Thursday that it has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by global investment firm Eight Roads Ventures. Another global investor B Capital, also invested in the round from its Ascent Fund.

Alibaba Cloud to invest $1B as it unveils strategic roadmap for international business

Alibaba Cloud commits to $1 billion investment to boost ecosystem capabilities while showcasing new products and comprehensive customer support for complete services.

Hong Kong’s The Sandbox collaborates with Taiwan’s Softstar to boost Web3 ecosystem

The Sandbox, a decentralized gaming virtual world and subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Animoca Brands, has announced its collaboration with Softstar Entertainment Inc. (Softstar), an iconic Taiwanese brand of classic personal computer (PC) games.

Malaysia’s respond.io raises $7M funding led by Headline Asia

Respond.io, a Malaysia-based social to conversational commerce software as a service (SaaS) platform, has closed $7 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Headline Asia with participation from AltaIR Capital, Smart Partnership Capital, Sterling Oak Group & Calendula Ventures.