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[Updated] Indonesia unicorn Traveloka said to halt talks with Bridgetown SPAC – report

The Southeast Asian online travel company will likely explore going public via a traditional initial public offering (IPO) in the US market, according to the report.

The future of MSME financing will be collaborative, says IFS Capital’s Renchun Zeng [Q&A]

The future of SME financing will be increasingly tech-driven, inclusive, and accessible. Innovative financial solutions by traditional financial institutions and fintech firms will emerge.

Hong Kong’s Pickupp expands Malaysian footprint with first regional hub in Penang

The announcement follows its parent company, Pickupp Ltd’s recent $15 million Series A and Series A+ financing.

Singapore caregiving platform Homage raises $20M Series C round led by Sheares Healthcare Group

The oversubscribed round makes it one of the largest financing rounds raised by an on-demand care platform in Southeast Asia and the Oceania region and brings Homage’s total funding to exceed $45 million.

SGX-listed iFAST Corp to continue digital bank ambition in Malaysia [Q&A]

It will target B40 segment while eyeing low-cost deposits globally.

Grab-Euromonitor report: Southeast Asia online food delivery spend to hit $28B in 2025

Growth is expected to be fastest in emerging markets such as Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines, with the total regional online food delivery Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) to more than triple from $9 billion in 2020 to $28 billion in 2025.

Vietnam healthcare marketplace Thuocsi.vn raises $9M in Series A funding round led by Smilegate Investment

The fresh funds will be used to grow its distribution network both in Vietnam and in other parts of Southeast Asia.

Vietnam merchant platform KiotViet raises $45M in Series B funding round led by KKR

KKR is making its investment in KiotViet from its Asian private equity fund.

NZ student wellbeing platform Komodo raises $1.28M Seed round to focus on ensuring mental wellbeing amid the pandemic

Komodo is a wrap-around software solution that leverages data and insights gleaned from psychologist-built surveys to help schools identify at-risk students and mitigate the impact of common issues such as harassment, cyberbullying, and depression at the onset, before developing into crises.

Singapore skyline SGX SPAC

Singapore Exchange introduces SPAC listing framework

SGX said it will work with the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) to increase retail investors’ understanding of SPACs through collaborative efforts including the conduct of educational programs.