Asia

YAS MicroInsurance (YAS), an insurance on-blockchain pioneer in Hong Kong, has announced the completion of their Pre-Series A fundinground, raising $4.5 million. The round was led by Noria Capital, ZEMU VC and JKL Capital.

Formula 1 powerhouse McLaren Racing launches a 7- page comic series of NFTs on the energy-efficient Tezos — also an official Technical Partner of the team — ahead of the Singapore and Japanese Grands Prix happening on 2 October and 9 October respectively.

Besides Japan, Carro is also eyeing several markets including Australia, Philippines, Vietnam markets, Narushima said.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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

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.

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.