Category

Private Markets

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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Jan 19
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: ChatGPT: A Mind Boggling Advancement in AI-Human Communication and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • ChatGPT: A Mind Boggling Advancement in AI-Human Communication

ChatGPT: A Mind Boggling Advancement in AI-Human Communication

By Douglas Kim

  • ChatGPT is a mind boggling advancement in AI-human communication. I recommend EVERY reader of this insight to try out this service.
  • This insight on ChatGPT has three parts: First, I discuss the basics of ChatGPT and valuations. Second, I provide 13 examples of questions or requests that I made to ChatGPT.
  • Third, I discuss some key investment opportunities that could capitalize on all the “buzz” surrounding ChatGPT at this moment. 

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Jan 13
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Imajin Reportedly Raises Seed Funding Round and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Imajin Reportedly Raises Seed Funding Round
  • India’s KreditBee Adds US$100m to Its Series D
  • Parenting Platform Supermom Closes US$6M Series A Led by Qualgro

Imajin Reportedly Raises Seed Funding Round

By e27

  • Init-6, East Ventures, 500 Southeast Asia, and a number of investors participated in this funding round for Imajin

  • Founded by Chendy Jaya, Imajin is a platform that connected local manufacturers with potential customers.
  • By July 2022, the startup has secured more than 400 local factory partners and 80 customers, including Japanese companies operating in Indonesia

India’s KreditBee Adds US$100m to Its Series D

By Tech in Asia

  • India-based KreditBee has added another US$100 million to its series D, with primary funding from equity investor Advent International.

  • Founded in 2018 by Madhusudan Ekambaram, Karthikeyan Krishnaswamy, and Wan Hong, the startup offers tech-enabled personal loans to working professionals.
  • KreditBee finances the loan through partnerships with banks and non-bank financial companies.

Parenting Platform Supermom Closes US$6M Series A Led by Qualgro

By e27

  • Singapore-based parenting network Supermom has closed its “oversubscribed” SG$8 (US$6) million Series A fundraising round, led by Qualgro, with participation from AC Ventures
  • The startup will use the money to enhance its data and product capabilities and accelerate regional expansion

  • Supermom provides data and consumer insights for over 200 consumer brands, including mother & child, education, FMCG, fashion, and beauty

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Jan 09
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Ant Group: Shareholder Restructuring Announced and the Lack of IPO Plan Are Negatives Surprise and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Ant Group: Shareholder Restructuring Announced and the Lack of IPO Plan Are Negatives Surprise

Ant Group: Shareholder Restructuring Announced and the Lack of IPO Plan Are Negatives Surprise

By Victor Galliano

  • The announced restructuring of Ant Group holding companies will block founder Jack Ma from achieving majority voting on the board following the implementation of the holdcos adjustment
  • The majority of board directors will be “independent” post the holdco restructuring and they are likely to drive a more social policy focused agenda, as the 2021 sustainability report suggests
  • We see these developments, and especially the lack of IPO plan, to be negative for non-government aligned Ant Group shareholders, such as the international private equity groups and especially Alibaba

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Jan 06
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: HD and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • HD, the Airbnb for Surgeries in SEA, Secures US$6M Funding
  • Bio-Degradable Food Container Startup Alterpacks Raises US$1M Funding

HD, the Airbnb for Surgeries in SEA, Secures US$6M Funding

By e27

  • HD will use the funding to expand its team and develop its technology, enabling over 5,000 healthcare providers and thousands of surgeries by 2024.

  • HD, a Bangkok-headquartered startup operating the healthcare and surgery marketplace HDmall in Thailand and Indonesia, has received US$6 million in new funding.
  • HD is an online marketplace that powers over 1,500 healthcare providers, including hospitals. It connects patients to hospitals, clinics, operating rooms, and surgeons.

Bio-Degradable Food Container Startup Alterpacks Raises US$1M Funding

By e27

  • Alterpacks, a Singapore-based provider of biodegradable food containers, has closed its US$1 million pre-seed funding round.
  • The company provides new economic value to spent grains, a by-product of the food manufacturing process, after producing malted drinks, such as milo or beer.

  • Alterpacks is also creating bio-pellets to replace petroleum-based resins used in standard manufacturing machines today.

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Jan 04
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Initial Thoughts on Golfzon County IPO: Impact on Golfzon Newdin Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Initial Thoughts on Golfzon County IPO: Impact on Golfzon Newdin Holdings

Initial Thoughts on Golfzon County IPO: Impact on Golfzon Newdin Holdings

By Douglas Kim

  • In this insight, we discuss our initial thoughts on the Golfzon County IPO which is likely in 1H 2023.
  • As of September 2022, Golfzon County owned and operated 18 golf courses and 387 holes, the largest in Korea. 
  • Golfzon Newdin owns a 43.2% in Golfzon County. We estimate Golfzon Newdin’s market cap to be 273 billion won or 6,369 won per share, representing a 44% upside. 

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Jan 01
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Smilegate Holdings: A Giant Korean Game Company in Partnership with Amazon Games and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Smilegate Holdings: A Giant Korean Game Company in Partnership with Amazon Games

Smilegate Holdings: A Giant Korean Game Company in Partnership with Amazon Games

By Douglas Kim

  • Established in 2002, Smilegate Holdings is well known for its globally popular games including Crossfire (a first person shooter game), Lost Ark (MMORPG), and Epic Seven.
  • In August 2020, Smilegate RPG entered into a partnership with Amazon Games, reaching an exclusive publishing agreement for North America and Europe.
  • At a P/S valuation of 6-7x using company’s 2021 sales of 1.4 trillion won would suggest implied valuations of 8 trillion won to 10 trillion won for Smilegate Holdings.

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Dec 30
0

Daily Brief Private Markets: Tata-owned BigBasket adds $200m funding to cart and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Tata-owned BigBasket adds $200m funding to cart
  • Chinese driverless car firm nets nearly $100m series B money
  • Mitsubishi arm injects US$200M investment into digital finance platform Akulaku

Tata-owned BigBasket adds $200m funding to cart

By Tech in Asia

  • BigBasket, an India-based online grocery player owned by conglomerate Tata Sons, has raised US$200 million at a US$3.2 billion valuation, the platform’s co-founder and CEO Hari Menon told Tech in Asia.
  • Founded from a small office in Bengaluru in 2011 by Menon and four other partners, V S Sudhakar, Vipul Parek, Abhinay Choudhari, and V S Ramesh, BigBasket was acquired by Tata Sons through its subsidiary Tata Digital in 2021.
  • Largely focusing on online grocery, BigBasket has also expanded to quick commerce via BB Now and subscription-based service via BB Daily.

Chinese driverless car firm nets nearly $100m series B money

By Tech in Asia

  • Freetech Intelligent Systems, a China-based autonomous driving firm, has raised nearly US$100 million in its series B round, Nikkei Asia reported.
  • Chaos Investment led the round, with TCL Industries Holdings, BAIC Capital, and Hengxu Capital participating, among other investors.
  • Founded in 2016, Freetech creates a full-stack solution for autonomous vehicles, creating both software and hardware components to power cars.

Mitsubishi arm injects US$200M investment into digital finance platform Akulaku

By e27

  • Indonesia-based banking and digital finance platform Akulaku has secured a US$200 million investment from Japanese megabank Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG).
  • The investment will support its expansion of banking services across Southeast Asia, including underserved customers and markets.
  • The company’s future growth plans align with MUFG’s, and their joint expansion into new territories, markets, and products will accelerate heading into 2023.

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