Indonesian agritech firm eFishery hits unicorn status with US$108M Series D
The investors are 42xfund, Northstar Group, and SoftBank Vision Fund II; EFishery last raised US$90 million in a Series C funding round in January 2022.
SG, MY fuel PropertyGuru’s 16% revenue bump in Q1
It registered US$24.2M in revenue for Q1, up from about US$21M from a year ago; Its core market of Singapore contributed almost US$14M, with Malaysia chipping in ~US$5M; Both markets showed year-on-year growth of around 25%.
AI-powered composable software platform Builder.ai raises US$250M Series D
The investors include Qatar’s QIA, Iconiq Capital, Jungle Ventures, and Insight Partners; Builder.ai’s platform allows anyone with an idea to build an app (web or mobile) faster.
Carro says it broke EBITDA record in FY 2023
CFO Ernest Chew said that 60% of Carro’s gross profit in the latest financial year came from recurring ancillaries; The automotive marketplace expects to achieve a 10x growth in EBITDA in FY 2024.
Women-led B2B SaaS unicorn Insider raises US$105M
The investors are Qatar Investment Authority and Esas Private Equity; Insider will use the funds to acquire companies in APAC, including Singapore, where it already works with companies such as Watsons and Pizza Hut.
Indonesian social commerce platform Evermos raises US$39M
The investors include IFC, Jungle Ventures, Shunwei Capital, UOB Venture Management, and TMI; Evermos will use the funds to strengthen its reseller network by deepening penetration in Java and expanding to Sumatra.
Social music platform BandLab secures US$25M financing
The investors include Cercano Management and Prosus Ventures; BandLab empowers aspiring music creators worldwide to create, collaborate, and share their music online with an emphasis on emerging artist discovery, community, and fandom.
Co-Founder Tan Hooi Ling to step down from her active role at Grab
Hooi Ling currently leads Grab’s tech organisation and has also served as a member of its Board of Directors since its public listing in Dec 2021.
Zuzu Hospitality secures US$9M in SoftBank Ventures Asia-led round
The company helps independent hotels optimise their operations and increase their revenue by offering revenue management, distribution, and payment solutions.
AI-powered video platform Gan.ai raises US$5.25M
The investors include Sequoia Surge and Emergent Ventures; Gan.ai provides brands with a generative AI-powered video creation platform.
Filipino job search platform Bossjob secures US$5M in venture funding
Bossjob aims to provide speedy communications between talents and bosses to eliminate lengthy application processes through direct chat; The deal comes as the company expands into Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.
Indonesian credit-tech startup SkorLife secures US$4M
The investors include Hummingbird Ventures, QED Investors, AC Ventures, and Saison Capital; The fintech company allowing users to access their credit scores and reports instantly from Indonesia’s credit bureaus.
SG’s avatar communications firm GoodGang Labs gets US$2M
The investor is Korea’s Kakao Investment; GoodGang Labs plans to launch kiki town for Web2 with the goal of revolutionising how individuals connect and interact in virtual environments.
Vietnamese cleantech startup Stride raises US$2M
The investors include Clime Capital and Touchstone Partners; Stride provides households and small businesses with eco-friendly home improvement projects, smart home technology, energy-efficient products and access to solar energy.
Antler aims for 100 investment deal target in SEA for 2023
Antler is looking to set aside US$100M for new investments in Southeast Asia over the coming years, with roughly 40% of that amount reserved for Indonesia.
SG bespoke jewellery designer Madly wins East Ventures backing
The funding round comes as Madly sees increasing demand for custom-made jewellery and coloured gemstones, two areas it focuses on; Madly offers handcrafted pieces through a process that involves its clients at every step.
JumpStart Coffee gets fresh funding, targets overseas expansion
The investors are Cool Japan Fund and Living Lab Ventures; Indonesia-based JumpStart specialises in manufacturing vending machines that can serve over 20 types of coffee and non-coffee drinks.
The 2023 TOP100 is getting more heated with 15 more contenders
Here’s our third batch of 15 exciting and innovative startups that are vying to clinch the top spot at this year’s TOP100 programme.
Seeking to bridge Korea and Southeast Asia at Echelon is NFC
The Next Challenge Foundation (NCF) is bringing 15 promising startups in the mobile app and game industry to this year’s Echelon!
A communication workshop for TOP100 Semi-Finalists at Echelon Asia Summit 2023
This interactive workshop for TOP100 Semi-Finalists will provide insights to help startups navigate the complex media landscape in SEA.
Your ultimate guide to hosting eco-friendly events in Asia
Implementing sustainable practices improves event planners’ environmental impact and creates positive community impact.
Acing in hackathons: What every tech enthusiast needs to consider
MetaPals Co-Founder Daryl Lim says participating in multiple hackathons allowed him to develop a winning formula – one that is predicated on passion, a continuous learning attitude, and the courage to venture into uncharted territories.
Experts on how SEA companies can survive and thrive in a high interest-rate environment
In a high interest-rate environment, focus on unit economics, be adaptable, explore different revenue streams, and be prudent in spending.
‘Investor expectations have evolved beyond a singular focus on topline scale, growth’
For startups aiming to thrive in the global marketplace, embracing international talents and fostering a multicultural environment is paramount, says KKday CEO Ming Chen.
Ample opportunities for tech talents but firms must do more to compete: JobStreet
The recently launched Jobstreet report revealed that today’s candidates are looking for more than just a competitive salary.
‘Startups, corporate collaboration will bring decarbonisation efforts forward’
According to B Capital, increased engagement between startups and corporates can de-risk investments, create a positive feedback loop.
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Echelon Asia Summit 2023 is bringing together APAC’s leading startups, corporates, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to Singapore this June 14-15. Learn more and get tickets here.
Echelon also features the TOP100 stage, where startups get the chance to pitch to 5000+ delegates, among other benefits like a chance to connect with investors, visibility through e27 platform, and other prizes. Join TOP100 here.
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