Category

Private Markets

Mar 07
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Mobvoi: Focused on AI Technologies for Advanced Voice Interaction and Hardware-Software Integration and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Mobvoi: Focused on AI Technologies for Advanced Voice Interaction and Hardware-Software Integration

Mobvoi: Focused on AI Technologies for Advanced Voice Interaction and Hardware-Software Integration

By Douglas Kim

  • Mobvoi uses AI technology to improve the next generation human-machine interaction. The company’s key partners include Google and Volkswagen.
  • Mobvoi provides full-stack AI solutions for various hardware-software integration, voice interaction technology and engineering capabilities. The key sectors served include IoT, finance, telecommunications, F&B, and auto. 
  • Since the founding of the company in 2012, the company has raised US$253 million in funding. Major investors in the company include Sequoia Capital, ZhenFund, SIG, and Google. 

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Mar 05
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Unisound: A Chinese Unicorn Focused on AI Powered Voice and Speech Processing Technologies and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Unisound: A Chinese Unicorn Focused on AI Powered Voice and Speech Processing Technologies

Unisound: A Chinese Unicorn Focused on AI Powered Voice and Speech Processing Technologies

By Douglas Kim

  • Founded in 2012, Beijing Yunzhisheng Information Technology Co. (also known as Unisound) is a Chinese company focused on AI powered voice and speech processing technologies.
  • Unisound provides voice recognition, language processing and big data solutions to home appliances, automobile, healthcare and education companies.
  • Since the inception of the company, it has raised US$361 million in funding. 

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Mar 03
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Mathpresso: Google Backed AI-Based Math Problem Solver and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Mathpresso: Google Backed AI-Based Math Problem Solver

Mathpresso: Google Backed AI-Based Math Problem Solver

By Douglas Kim

  • Mathpresso (Qanda app) uses AI technology to provide homework assistance for math problems. 
  • As of February 2023, the Qanda app solved 4.7 billion math problems. The Qanda app is available in numerous languages including Korean, English, Spanish, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Thai.
  • The company has received $122 million in funding since the inception of the company. Major investors in Mathpresso include Google, Softbank, Smilegate Investment, Legend Holdings, and GGV Capital. 

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Mar 02
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: RiiiD: AI Machine Learning Technology to Improve Students Education and Test Scores and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • RiiiD: AI Machine Learning Technology to Improve Students Education and Test Scores
  • Kakao Brain: Leading Provider of AI Based Text-To-Image Service & Launch of KoGPT in 2H 2023

RiiiD: AI Machine Learning Technology to Improve Students Education and Test Scores

By Douglas Kim

  • Riiid uses AI machine learning technology including “reinforcement learning algorithm” to improve student education.
  • Riiid has a strong presence in the TOEIC test prep services in Asia. Now, it is expanding its business in the SAT and ACT prep markets in the United States.
  • Since the company’s inception, the company has received about $250 million in funding including from Softbank Vision Fund.

Kakao Brain: Leading Provider of AI Based Text-To-Image Service & Launch of KoGPT in 2H 2023

By Douglas Kim

  • One of the most promising projects that Kakao Brain is currently developing includes an AI Korean language model called KoGPT, which would be similar to ChatGPT service. 
  • In February 2023, Kakao Brain created a major magazine cover which was the first time in South Korea that an AI-based artwork has been published on a major magazine cover.
  • There are five major companies including Kakao Brain, Naver Corp, SK Telecom, KT Corp, and LG AI Research that are actively developing Korean language versions of Chat GPT.

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Feb 28
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Carsharing Startup GetGo Bags US$15M to Bring 10K Greener Vehicles into SG by 2030 and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Carsharing Startup GetGo Bags US$15M to Bring 10K Greener Vehicles into SG by 2030
  • Chinese Fintech Firm IceKredit Gears up for SEA Expansion
  • Malaysian Affiliate Marketing Firm Involve Asia Raises over US$10M for SEA Expansion

Carsharing Startup GetGo Bags US$15M to Bring 10K Greener Vehicles into SG by 2030

By e27

  • Singapore-based carsharing platform GetGo Technologies has secured an SGD20 million (US$15 million) investment from Treïs, a family-backed investment group.
  • This will enable GetGo to accelerate the growth of its electric fleet with a target of 10,000 greener vehicles by 2030 and to strengthen its technology and operational platform.
  • GetGo cars are typically used to take children and the elderly to activities, to go out with family and friends, or to transport bulky items.

Chinese Fintech Firm IceKredit Gears up for SEA Expansion

By Tech in Asia

  • IceKredit, a Chinese AI-focused credit risk and management company, plans to export its AI-powered products and solutions to financial institutions in Southeast Asia.
  • Founded in 2015, IceKredit helps lenders to establish an automated end-to-end digital lending process – from application pre-screening to collections – by providing risk mitigation products and services.
  • In the past two years, the firm has raised over US$58 million in series C funding, a large part of which will be used for its Southeast Asian expansion, the company says.

Malaysian Affiliate Marketing Firm Involve Asia Raises over US$10M for SEA Expansion

By e27

  • Malaysia-based affiliate marketing platform Involve Asia has raised over US$10 million.
  • Bintang Capital Partners, the PE arm of Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad, led the round. 500 Global, Orbit Capital Malaysia, and Monumental Productions also participated.
  • Involve will use the new funds to acquire complementary tech companies and invest in enhancing its platform and team across the region. 

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Feb 24
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Indian Web3 Gaming Firm Raises $20m at $150m Valuation and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Indian Web3 Gaming Firm Raises $20m at $150m Valuation

Indian Web3 Gaming Firm Raises $20m at $150m Valuation

By Tech in Asia

  • Kratos Studios, a Web3 gaming venture based in India, has raised about US$20 million in seed funding at a valuation of US$150 million.
  • The round was led by Accel and saw participation from Prosus Ventures, Courtside Ventures, Nexus Venture Partners, and Nazara, among others.
  • Kratos was built by Manish Agarwal, previously CEO of gaming company Nazara, and Ishank Gupta, a former executive at multinational firms like Belgian brewing firm Anheuser-Busch InBev.

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Feb 22
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Transcelestial Gets US$10M Funding Boost to Expand Its Lasercomms Tech into US and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Transcelestial Gets US$10M Funding Boost to Expand Its Lasercomms Tech into US, Ramp up in Asia

Transcelestial Gets US$10M Funding Boost to Expand Its Lasercomms Tech into US, Ramp up in Asia

By e27

  • Singapore-headquartered last-mile internet connectivity startup Transcelestial Technologies has received US$10 million in a Series A extension round.
  • Existing investor Airbus Ventures led the round, with participation from Kickstart Ventures, Genesis Alternative Ventures, Wavemaker, Cap Vista, and SEEDS Captial. In-Q-Tel had also joined in a previous undisclosed round.
  • The new round brings Transcelestial’s total investment raised to date to US$24 million.

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Feb 11
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: SG Mobility Startup Offers Zero Commission Fees to Challenge Grab and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • SG Mobility Startup Offers Zero Commission Fees to Challenge Grab
  • VFlowTech Nets US$10M to Take Its Vanadium-Based Redox Flow Battery to Japan, US, Turkey
  • Exclusive: SG Kidtech Firm Bags $2.2m Seed Round
  • PixCap Scores US$2.8M to Allow Users to Find, Edit, Export 3D Content in Minutes

SG Mobility Startup Offers Zero Commission Fees to Challenge Grab

By Tech in Asia

  • Singapore-based Geolah – a mobility startup – wants to remove commission fees altogether.

  • Instead of charging drivers commission fees, Singh said his startup will earn revenue through rebates from digital payments, insurance, and automotive firms. 

  • Revenue will also come from ads, with the firm saying that it has onboarded notable names like Shell and Klook.

VFlowTech Nets US$10M to Take Its Vanadium-Based Redox Flow Battery to Japan, US, Turkey

By e27

  • VFlowTech, a vanadium-based redox flow (VRF) battery company in Singapore, has announced a US$10 million Series A funding round

  • VFlowTech will use the funds to set up a 200MWh production line capacity and scale up the manufacturing of its 250 kWh modular vanadium-based long-duration energy storage solutions. 

  • A portion of the new capital will be used to expand into Turkey, the US, Japan and India.

Exclusive: SG Kidtech Firm Bags $2.2m Seed Round

By Tech in Asia

  • The company has expanded to offer watch phones, headphones, drones, and even a social media network for kids.

  • Their mission is to help kids aged between three and 12 to “stay connected socially without the usual ills of social media.”

  • The startup’s revenue mainly comes from sales of its devices, ranging from a US$20 digital sketchpad to a US$199 watch phone. 

PixCap Scores US$2.8M to Allow Users to Find, Edit, Export 3D Content in Minutes

By e27

  • Singapore-based PixCap, a web-based 3D design platform, has raised US$2.8 million in seed funding led by Sequoia Surge.

  • Founded in 2020 by Cyril Nie (CTO) and Looi, PixCap allows users with no 3D experience to find, edit and export 3D content, including images for graphic designs and animations for landing pages and social media.

  • Designers, developers and consumers can use PixCap to create 3D content for graphic designs, games and AR/VR.

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Feb 03
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Peris.ai and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Peris.ai, a Cybersecurity Startup Built by Ritase Co-Founder, Gets East Ventures Backing
  • A $6m Bet to Mix Crypto and Traditional Gaming
  • E-Scooter Rental Startup WeMo Nets US$15M for Thailand, Indonesia Expansion

Peris.ai, a Cybersecurity Startup Built by Ritase Co-Founder, Gets East Ventures Backing

By e27

  • Indonesian cybersecurity-as-a-service startup Peris.ai has raised an undisclosed sum in funding led by East Ventures, with participation from Magic Fund.
  • The startup will use the money to build and enhance its cybersecurity platform, train Machine Learning and AI capabilities, and nurture the ethical hacker community.
  • Peris is supported by a community of more than 1,200 ethical hackers.

A $6m Bet to Mix Crypto and Traditional Gaming

By Tech in Asia

  • Oh Baby Games said it’s working on an arcade racer that features recognizable figures. Called What The Kart, the company’s first blockchain-powered game will feature personalities from Crypto Twitter
  • The startup said What The Kart will also feature streamers and different communities across the Crypto Twitter sphere.
  • The game aims to mix recognizable characters with the tried-and-tested Mario Kart racing formula

E-Scooter Rental Startup WeMo Nets US$15M for Thailand, Indonesia Expansion

By e27

  • WeMo Corp, an e-scooter rental company based in Taiwan, has completed its US$15 million Series A+ round of financing led by AppWorks.
  • WeMo will use the money to expand its service to Southeast Asia, mainly in Indonesia and Thailand.
  • It is building partnerships with governments, investors, businesses, and transportation providers throughout the region to offer green transportation and fleet management services.

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Jan 20
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Philippine Agritech Firm Rakes in $1.7m in Seed Money and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Philippine Agritech Firm Rakes in $1.7m in Seed Money
  • Cybersecurity Firm Blackpanda Closes US$15M Series A to Deepen Its Asia Presence

Philippine Agritech Firm Rakes in $1.7m in Seed Money

By Tech in Asia

  • Agriculture – including forestry and fisheries – is one of the most important sectors in the Philippines.
  • In 2021, it accounted for US$32.4 billion or 9.6% of the country’s gross domestic product and 24% of its working population.

  • In 2019, Mayani was established by several serial entrepreneurs to digitalize the system. The company provides a marketplace to connect farmers with individual and enterprise customers.

Cybersecurity Firm Blackpanda Closes US$15M Series A to Deepen Its Asia Presence

By e27

  • Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Blackpanda, which specialises in incident response and digital forensics, has secured US$15 million in its Series A funding round.
  • The company will use the capital to expand its technology-enabled cybersecurity services, including digital forensics and incident response.
  • It will also develop its underlying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning cybersecurity insurtech platform.

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