Posted on

Ecosystem Roundup: Global fintech funding sees 40% drop in 2022; YouTrip nets US$50M; Kopi Kenangan co-founder launches new fund

Dear Pro member,

McKinsey’s latest report on global fintech funding reveals a significant shift in the industry’s trajectory. After a remarkable 177% YoY increase in 2021, fintech funding experienced a 40% YoY decline from US$92 billion to US$55 billion in 2022, largely attributed to a market correction. Despite this drop, over a five-year period, fintech’s share of total VC funding remained relatively stable at 12%, with only a marginal 0.5% decrease in 2022.

The report identifies the industry’s transition into a new era marked by a more conservative approach. Fintechs are moving away from the previous trend of rapid growth at all costs and embracing a slower, steadier pace. This shift is necessary due to the challenging and uncertain macroeconomic environment, fewer IPOs, and a decline in new unicorn creation.

Furthermore, the report emphasizes the growing influence of emerging markets, such as Asia Pacific (excluding China), Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, in fueling fintech revenue growth. These regions represented 15% of global fintech revenues in 2022, with an estimated increase to 29% by 2028.

In addition, the report highlights the significance of generative AI in banking and suggests that fintech firms should focus on talent strategy and change management to harness the additional revenue potential it offers. Despite the funding decline, the fintech industry is still thriving, with publicly traded companies and unicorns demonstrating substantial growth, pointing to its continued importance in the financial sector.

Sainul,
Editor.

===========================

Despite decline, global fintech funding remains fairly stable: report
According to the McKinsey report, global fintech funding declined 40% YoY to US$55B after a 177% rise YoY in 2021; However, on a five-year period, fintech funding as a proportion of total investment remained stable at 12%.

Temasek leads US$384M round of Ola Electric
The funds will be used to expand Ola’s EV business and to set up India’s first lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility in the southern state ofTamil Nadu; The company plans to launch an IPO in 2024.

EBay founder-backed VC firm secures US$350M funding
Flourish Ventures is an early-stage fintech investor; Flourish was spun out from the Omidyar Network; Flourish has invested in 71 fintech startups worldwide – including seven unicorns – and counts eBay founder Pierre Omidyar as its sole LP.

YouTrip lands US$50M for Southeast Asian expansion
Lightspeed Partners is the lead investor; YouTrip will use the capital to expand into Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam; The multicurrency wallets firm claims to have processed about US$10B in annualised transaction volume to date.

Inteluck closes US$34M Series C round to expand regional footprint
The investors are Navegar and East Ventures; Inteluck provides tech-driven supply chain services to enterprises, spanning full truckload transportation, warehouse management, and international freight forwarding.

Singapore-based WeBuy Global raises US$15M in Nasdaq IPO
The social commerce and travel firm plans to use the funds for product development, marketing, and expansion into new markets; As of June 2023, the company has over 10M registered users and 100,000 active merchants.

Kopi Kenangan co-founder’s new VC fund hits US$12M first close
Kopital Ventures raised US$12M from Saison Capital, Trihill Capital, Impack Ventures, and others; The fund is focused on early-stage startups across Southeast Asia, mainly in Indonesia, to invest in 30-40 companies within the next three years.

Digital currency payment startup Triple-A nets US$10M
The investors are Peak XV Partners and Shorooq Partners; Triple-A is a digital currency payment institution that enables businesses to pay and get paid in both traditional and digital currencies, volatility-free.

Singapore’s car-sharing platform Drive Lah banks US$5M
The lead investor is ComfortDelGro; The two companies plan to collaborate on car connectivity and navigation tech initiatives; ComfortDelGro Australia will also provide up to 3,000 vehicles for Drive Mate, which is Drive Lah’s brand in the country.

Circulate Capital joins bio-based plastic firm Algenesis’s US$5M seed round
MIH Capital, Diamond Sports Group, and RhinoShield also participated; Algenesis will use the new funds to expand Soleic product lines into breathable waterproof textiles and injection moulded products like phone cases.

Qiscus raises US$2M from Bukalapak co-founder’s VC firm Init6
Qiscus provides an omnichannel customer engagement platform that helps businesses improve CX; The company said it has acquired 50M+ users in 10 countries in SEA; It will use the funding to accelerate SEA expansion.

Better Bite Ventures invests in Fattastic, Pivot Eat, Everything But
Fattastic enhances plant-based meat and dairy’s sensory and functional attributes, while Pivot Eat improves the structure and scalability of whole-cut meat alternatives; Everything But is a cultivated meat startup focused on pet food.

Moosa Genetics secures funding from East Ventures
Moosa leverages embryo transfer technology and innovative gene selection techniques like CRISPR to improve cattle breeding and beef production; By doing so, it improves meat yield and quality and, at the same time, also reduces the costs.

Indonesian market regulator OJK restricts Akulaku’s BNPL services
Akulaku has allegedly violated the supervisory obligations required by the government agency for BNPL offerings; The OJK is now asking the firm to adjust its business to comply with these rules.

Bangladesh-based Arogga gets US$4M to fight counterfeit drugs
The investors include The Venture Collective, Blue Collective, Iterative, Stella Maris Partners; Arogga aims to nip the counterfeit medicine issue in the bud by making genuine and affordable medication more accessible.

How AWAK alleviates dialysis patients’ pains using a lightweight device
Weighing 3kg, the AWAK device offers a wearable and ultra-portable dialysis solution, allowing patients to experience dialysis on the go.

How Chronicle taps into fan economy to bridge NFT and entertainment industries
Chronicle provides NFT-as-a-service for major companies in the entertainment industry, helping them reach out to fans.

How Tack One saves lives through an automatic flood detection device
Housed in a cube measuring only 8cm, the device can be installed as a standalone device with no additional equipment or infrastructure required; Once set up, the device autonomously monitors water level changes and triggers real-time alerts.

Logistics, supply chain industries need to unveil the Northstar of AI integration: Quincus
Quincus CEO Jonathan Savoir points out that companies need to solidify their digital transformation strategy and take it step by step.

Accelerating Asia on building a company culture that fosters innovation and inclusion
To achieve its mission, Accelerating Asia needs to implement an organisational culture that supports and promotes the values they live by.

Oyika revolutionises e-motorbikes in SEA with subscription plans, battery-swap stations
Oyika transforms the region’s motorbike landscape with smart e-motorbikes, affordable subscription plans, and off-grid electricity solutions.

How Singapore’s universities nurture future investment leaders
Singapore’s universities actively foster entrepreneurship and innovation skills among students, enabling them to thrive in dynamic business landscapes.

Rising above the noise: Why startups shouldn’t chase every news cycle
In such a dynamic environment, how can startups avoid being swayed by every headline? Should startup founders participate in these discussions?

How cybersecurity teams can involve HR to optimise incident response
Integrating HR into your cybersecurity strategy, from pre-incident training to post-incident follow-ups, adds an extra layer of security.

Skate to where the puck will be: How category design gives you a breakaway
True category leaders take a look at the current state of play and think beyond where the current players are positioned.

The future of startup fundraising in Singapore
Taking a deeper look into Singapore’s startup ecosystem by exploring some of the more popular means for startup fundraising.

Charting your equity course: Navigating funding rounds for startup success
A well-organised cap table attracts investors and ensures sound financial health for your startup throughout its funding journey.

Neuroscience to the rescue: How startups can dodge burnout
Startup founders, at risk of burnout, can gain insights into managing and preventing it by exploring stress and productivity neuroscience.

The image used in this article is AI-generated.

The post Ecosystem Roundup: Global fintech funding sees 40% drop in 2022; YouTrip nets US$50M; Kopi Kenangan co-founder launches new fund appeared first on e27.