Asia

Singapore micromobility startup Beam secures $93M in Series B funding led by Affirma Capital

Beam announced Friday a Series B funding round of $93 million led by Singapore-based private equity firm Affirma Capital. The round also saw participation from Sequoia Capital India, Hana Ventures, ICT Capital, EDBI, AC Ventures, RTP Global, and Momentum Venture Capital, among others. Funds raised will be used to bring Beam’s shared micromobility vehicles…

India’s Airtel acquires strategic stake in Singapore blockchain technology startup Aqilliz

Bharti Airtel (Airtel) has acquired a strategic stake in Aqilliz, a Singapore-based blockchain as a service company. It aims to deploy Aqilliz’s advanced blockchain technologies at scale across its fast growing adtech (Airtel Ads), digital entertainment (Wynk Music and Airtel Xstream) and digital marketplace (Airtel Thanks App) offerings.

Indian neobank platform Niyo nets $100M in Series C round led by Accel and Lightrock

Niyo has raised $100 million in its Series C round of funding led by Accel and Lightrock India. Beams Fintech Fund and its existing investors Prime Venture Partners, JS Capital are also participating in this round along with others. The company will be using the funds to accelerate its mission to transform banking in India, and to provide convenient and…

Visa and VNPAY enter strategic partnership to drive digital payments in Vietnam

Visa has entered a strategic partnership with VNPAY to enhance the digital payments experience in Vietnam. Together, they will make cashless payment more accessible in Vietnam through expanding and strengthening the fintech company's affiliate network of accepting merchants, as well as rolling out new services including Visa’s Tap to Phone acceptance…

Hong Kong NFT platform UCOLLEX raises $10M series A round led by Animoca Brands

UCOLLEX has successfully completed a $10 million Series A funding round led by Animoca Brands and MCP IPX One Fund (IPX Fund). The raise will enable UCOLLEX to invest extensively in blockchain technology and establish metaverse frontiers, creating exciting NFT experiences for pop culture communities.

Pakistan FinTech firm NayaPay secures $13M led by Zayn Capital, MSA Novo and Graph Ventures

NayaPay has raised $13 million in one of the largest seed rounds in South Asia. Bringing together a diverse mix of leading global institutional and angel investors, the round was led by Zayn Capital, MSA Novo and Graph Ventures. Saison Capital, Maple Leaf Capital and Warren Hogarth, also participated in the round, alongside a major investment from the…

Indian logistics management firm Shipsy to set up regional HQ in Indonesia

Shipsy will be setting up its regional headquarters (HQ) in Indonesia to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia (SEA). The regional HQ will enable the organization to provide faster, better and localized support to existing customers and drive new business growth in Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Better Bite Ventures launches $15M fund for alternative protein startups in Asia Pacific

Better Bite Ventures launches Tuesday with a $15 million fund, including an initial portfolio of 10 Asia Pacific (APAC) startups, harnessing plant-based and cellular agriculture technologies to create climate-friendly meat, dairy, egg and seafood alternatives that are better for people, animals and planet. The fund, first of its kind dedicated entirely to…

Hong Kong FinTech startup StockViva bags $3M Series A funding, bringing total raise to $5M

StockViva has raised more than $3 million in a round of Series A funding by renowned investors, including Farquhar VC from Singapore, Kharis Capital from Luxembourg, and Hong Huan Group, Angelhub, along with several individual investors from Hong Kong. Combined with the previous $2 million investment by Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund from Hong Kong,…