Latest news and trends about tech

Animoca Brands, Brinc launch Launchpad Luna, an accelerator for NFT startups

The Launchpad Luna accelerator will identify and foster NFT innovation in the fields of culture, art, entertainment, media, gaming, streaming, collectibles, insurance, finance, and data management; DeFi and additional verticals will be added in the future.

The future of decentralized finance is in ease of user experience, says Flurry Finance CEO Mike Ting [Q&A]

"Challenges in DeFi can be addressed through the following: helping users in understanding the product, ensuring an enhanced user experience, and improving transparency in DeFi solutions."

Indonesia’s Desty raises $3.2M pre-Series A funding led by Xiaomi investor 5Y Capital

Desty will utilize the new funding primarily for team expansion and user acquisition. This move also marks 5Y Capital's first investment in Indonesia.

Philippines VC Gentree Fund allocates $40M for SEA startups looking to expand in the country

Gentree Fund, a Philippines-based sector-agnostic fund that focuses on investments into early-stage B2C and B2B companies, has just announced that it has earmarked an initial $40 million to invest in early and growth-stage Southeast Asian startups with plans of expanding into the Filipino market.

Private exchanges give investors a choice on product fit, investment goals, and risk tolerance, says Willie Chang of HGX [Q&A]

With this RMO license, HGX can now fully operate as Asia’s first member-driven private exchange to support the issuance and trading of both digital and non-digital capital market products.

Singapore FoodTech firm Easy Eat raises $5M funding, eyes SEA expansion

The funding round came as Malaysia is in a so-called "full lockdown" with traveling restrictions to contain the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants and eateries are allowed to operate but no dine-ins are allowed and they are required to follow standard operating procedures set by the government.

Vietnam’s Kamereo bags $4.6M in Series A funding co-led by CPF Group, Quest Ventures, Genesia Ventures

Besides increasing the company’s manpower, the new funding will be used to bring Kamereo to Hanoi next year, to build a new warehouse management system, among others.

Malaysia online baby store Babydash raises $300K bridge round via equity crowdfunding

Babydash is now doubling down on key targeted activities to aggressively expand its customer and product base. The company aims to drive up revenue per transaction while expanding its footprint in ASEAN targeting to double the size of the company in the next 12 to 18 months.

Creador Founder and CEO Brahmal Vasudevan

Malaysia PE firm Creador eyes tech sectors after raising $500M for first close of 5th fund

The development comes at a time when more global PE firms are looking for investment opportunities in the tech sector in Southeast Asia.

Warung Pintar

Digital transformation has accelerated the warung ecosystem in Indonesia, says Warung Pintar’s Agung Bezharie Hadinegoro [Q&A]

Agung discusses how the pandemic accelerated digital transformation in Indonesia, and how MSMEs–or warungs in particular–are able to benefit with the aim to “accelerate Indonesia’s growth in the midst of a post-pandemic economic boom by empowering micro-retail businesses.”