Investments

Digitalization has given rise to a new generation of investors, says Helicap’s David Z Wang [Q&A]

"Ultimately, the benefits of technology to businesses boil down to two simple things: optimized operational processes and a better, more personalized customer experience."

Singapore e-commerce enabler Zaapi raises $4.5M seed investment led by GFC, Flourish Ventures, and Partech

Zaapi has raised a $4 million seed investment in the current round of funding. Prominent venture capital investors, including Global Founders Capital (GFC), Flourish Ventures, and Partech, led the investment. Other institutional investors in the round include 1982 Ventures, Kaya Founders, Iterative, XA Network, and Sketchnote Partners/Invertidos.

Singapore document AI startup Docsumo raises $3.5M in seed fund, eyes expansion in North American market

Docsumo has raised $3.5 million in seed capital led by Common Ocean. The round also saw the participation from Fifth Wall, Arbor Realty Trust, and existing investor Better Capital. The startup plans to utilize the fresh funds to expand its client base in the North American market and grow the team.

Singapore FoodTech firm Umami Meats secures $2.4M pre-seed funding to advance cultivated seafood

Umami Meats has secured pre-seed funding of $2.4 million.The pre-seed funding round was co-led by Better Bite Ventures and Genedant. Further participants in the round include CULT Food Science, Impact Venture, Katapult Ocean, Plug and Play Ventures, Prithvi Ventures, The Yield Lab Asia Pacific, and Venture for America.

Australian FinTech firm Zeller doubles valuation to over $1B with $100M raise

Zeller has raised $100 million in Series B round at a valuation worth of $1 billion.The Series B, which saw Zeller more than double its valuation, was led by US-based Headline, with additional funds contributed by Australian industry superannuation fund Hostplus. Previous investors, including Square Peg, Addition, and Spark Capital, also returned to…

Philippines social commerce startup SariSuki bags $7.1M from regional and global investors

SariSuki has raised $7.1 million from regional and global investors, bringing its total funding to $10.7 million in 2021. Venture capital investors included Openspace, Susquehanna International Group (SIG), Global Founders Capital (GFC), Saison Capital, JG Digital Equity Ventures, and Foxmont Capital Partners are amongst those who participated in the round.…

Australia’s Language Confidence raises $1.5M in seed funding from Wavemaker Partners and Investible

Language Confidence has raised $1.5 million seed round to automate the teaching and testing of spoken English. The capital raise was led by Wavemaker Partners with participation from Investible. The funding will enable the company to expand its product offering and grow it’s already global customer base.

Korean digital content distribution firm RIDI gets $100B funding led by Singapore’s GIC

RIDI Corporation has signed definitive agreements to receive an investment of KRW 120 billion ($100 million) led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC. Korea Development Bank, NVESTOR, and Atinum Investment also participated in this investment. As a result, RIDI has been recognized as the first unicorn startup in Korea’s content platform industry with an…

Singapore e-commerce startup Cococart raises $4.2M from Forerunner Ventures and Sequoia Capital for overseas expansion

Cococart has secured $4.2 million in seed funding to expand its growth internationally. The new capital was raised from Forerunner Ventures and Sequoia Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, Uncommon Capital, Soma Capital, Liquid 2 Ventures, Fitbit Chief Executive Officer James Park, Curated Chief Executive Officer Eduardo Vivas, and other strategic…

Singapore FinTech firm Volopay raises $29M for APAC and MENA expansion

Volopay has successfully raised $29 million in its Series A round through a mix of equity and debt. The investment round included participation from JAM Fund, Winklevoss Capital Management, Rapyd Ventures, Accial Capital, fintech veteran and angel investor Jeffrey Cruttenden (Chief Executive Officer of Acorns) along with Access Ventures, Antler Global, and…