Asia
Singapore e-commerce startup Rainforest raises $20M pre-Series A funding round led by Monk’s Hill Ventures
Funds will be used to drive Rainforest’s growth strategy, including expanding its portfolio of e-commerce brands in the home goods, mother & kids, personal care and pet categories by three times and growing its leadership team.
Pakistan logistics startup Truck It In extends pre-seed round to $4.5M
The extended round was again led by Global Founders Capital and Fatima Gobi Ventures. They have been joined by early-stage technology investment firm Picus Capital and Zayn Capital.
Central banks of Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa to test central bank digital currencies for international settlements
Led by BIS Innovation Hub’s Singapore Centre, the project, dubbed Project Dunbar, aims to develop prototype shared platforms for cross-border transactions using multiple CBDCs.
Singapore’s Accelerating Asia launches $20M Fund II
The targeted $20 million fund already has around 50 percent in soft commitments from existing investors and partners.
Malaysia-based SPAC Kairous Acquisition files for a $50 million IPO on NASDAQ
The SPAC intends to focus on fast-growing technology companies in e-commerce, financial technology, insurance technology, digital health, digital media, and digital services.
Malaysia’s AirAsia launches e-hailing services; eyes more acquisitions as it builds Super App
AirAsia's e-hailing venture came as the aviation group is in the midst of building its digital businesses and its ASEAN Super App when most of its planes were grounded due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiwan’s XREX raises $17M in Pre-Series A funding round led by CDIB Capital
XREX will use the funding to expand its fiat currency portfolio, acquire additional licenses, and forge partnerships with more financial institutions and digital wallets.
AirAsia’s BigPay raises up to $100M in financing from South Korea’s SK Group
BigPay said the funding from SK Group further strengthens AirAsia’s digital endeavor as it accelerates the scope of growth for its digital businesses, including logistics and financial services.
China’s Huawei to invest $100M in Asia Pacific startup ecosystem over 3 years
The investment would go towards its Spark Program in the Asia Pacific region, which aims to build a sustainable startup ecosystem for the region over the next three years.
Temasek, SoftBank invest in India EdTech unicorn Unacademy’s Series H funding round
The latest fundraise takes the valuation of Unacademy Group to $3.44 billion.
