Dear reader,
Singapore’s tech startup ecosystem is showing resilience amid shifting investment patterns in Q1 2025.
While total funding dipped 9.1% year-on-year, the quarter saw a strong 30.8% recovery from Q4 2024. The standout trend? Late-stage startups dominated, with funding surging 110.2% quarter-on-quarter, highlighting investor preference for mature, de-risked ventures.
Enterprise Infrastructure emerged as the clear winner, attracting a record US$640M—over 3,000% growth from Q4 2024. In contrast, fintech and high tech saw steep declines, reflecting shifting priorities in the region’s digital economy. Meanwhile, early-stage startups faced a funding crunch, raising concerns about long-term innovation pipelines.
Singapore retained its stronghold, securing 95% of total SEA startup funding. The quarter also saw a steady pace of unicorn creation, with Sygnum joining the club. While acquisitions outpaced IPOs, investor interest remained high, signalling a maturing ecosystem. The recalibration suggests a more selective, strategic approach—one that favours stability and scalability.
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And, we have given the Ecosystem Roundup a fresh new look—cleaner, sharper, and more insightful—along with exciting new content categories to bring you even more value.
Enjoy reading!
Sainul,
Editor.
REGIONAL NEWS
Top-funded business models reveal shifting tech investment priorities in SEA
According to the latest SEA Tech Quarterly Funding Report by Tracxn, the types of business models that attracted the most capital in Q1 2025 clearly reflect investor sentiment and changing market dynamics.
Motion Ventures launches US$100M maritime tech fund in Singapore
Over the next 18 to 24 months, Motion Ventures Fund II plans to invest between US$250,000 and US$10,000,000 in at least 25 companies.
Venturi Partners launches US$225M Fund II for Asian consumer brands
Venturi’s Fund will continue to focus on high-growth areas such as retail, education, healthcare, and FMCG in India and Southeast Asia.
Funding Societies raises strategic equity investment from Gobi Partners
The SME lender said it has already disbursed over US$4B in business financing to approximately 100,000 SMEs and processed annualised payments gross transactions of over US$1.4B.
Malaysia’s wealth management startup Versa bags US$6.8M Series A
The investors are AHAM Asset Management and Tengku Fahad Mua’adzam Shah | Since launching in 2021, the platform has grown to offer nearly 20 conventional and Shariah-compliant funds.
Kyberlife lands US$3M to scale regional healthcare marketplace
The investors include 5I Ventures, East Ventures, A2D Ventures, and NUS Alumni Ventures | Kyberlife connects research and healthcare suppliers globally with laboratories, healthcare institutions, and research centres in SEA.
Higala extends seed round to bring instant payments to underserved banks in PH
The investors are 1982 Ventures and Talino Venture Studios | Higala broadens financial access across the Philippines by integrating rural banks, thrift banks, commercial banks, and e-money issuers into its network.
Malaysia’s secondhand furniture startup Unearth secures funding
1337 Ventures is the investor | Unearth offers a full-service model that includes furniture pickup, refurbishment, and resale | With the new funding, Unearth plans to enhance its supply chain operations and improve refurbishment processes.
SG competition watchdog says no Grab-GoTo merger notice received
While aware of merger discussion reports, CCCS advised the companies to seek legal advice to comply with competition laws | It remains open to engagement through its merger notification and pre-notification discussion processes.
Meet the winners of East Ventures’s IndoBuild AI inaugural Demo Day in Jakarta
IndoBuild AI, launched earlier this year, serves as a platform designed to equip AI innovators with resources to develop practical solutions.
FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS
Techcoop CEO on scaling agritech, sustainable farming, and global expansion
By digitising everything from inventory management to invoicing, Techcoop enables users to increase revenue while reducing operational costs.
With Giken Sakata partnership, 5.0 ROBOTICS is bringing human-centered robotics to Southeast Asia
The partnership includes a plan to set up an academy to upskill traditional manufacturing workers and train new talent in 5.0 ROBOTICS tech.
How Pyxis aims to help the maritime industry achieve net-zero goals with its electric vessels
Pyxis R requires only the power equivalent of three to four hairdryers to cruise along the Singapore River.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
SoftBank acquires AI data centre chipmaker Ampere for US$6.5B
Ampere specialises in CPU chips for data centres, focusing on applications in AI | Ampere’s CPUs, built on Arm architecture, are used by Oracle, which will sell its stake in the company along with Carlyle Group.
Vertex Ventures Japan launches with US$67M fund to propel Japanese startups globally
The new fund will focus on high-growth sectors, including deeptech, AI, digital transformation, and the creator economy.
FOMC lits a spark: US equities, treasuries, and cryptocurrencies all riding the waves
The Fed held rates steady, slowed QT, and fuelled market optimism, driving equities, crypto gains, and a cautious global economic outlook.
Saemin Ahn returns to Rakuten Capital
He rejoins the firm after a stint at 500 Global | Ahn was instrumental in establishing Rakuten’s CVC initiative, which was launched as Rakuten Ventures in 2014 | Over nearly a decade, he helped steer the fund’s early investments in technology startups across Asia and the US.
Bitcoin falls to US$81,300 as gold shines ahead of FOMC meeting 2025
Markets brace for the FOMC meeting as gold surges, stocks slip, and geopolitics stir uncertainty in a complex financial landscape.
One of Tesla’s top Wall Street supporters says Elon Musk faces a ‘moment of truth’
“If you agree or disagree with DOGE it misses the point that by Musk spending 110% of his time with DOGE (and not as Tesla CEO) since President Trump got back into the White House this has essentially turned Tesla into a political symbol,” Wedbush’s Dan Ives wrote.
SEMICONDUCTOR
Singapore’s semiconductor stars: A look at key players and startups
Singapore’s neutral geopolitical stance and efficient logistics system make it an attractive hub for chipmakers looking to diversify their supply chains.
‘The future of semiconductor manufacturing is regional’: Global TechSolutions CEO
Kenneth Lee discusses how Global TechSolutions leverages its regional network across Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan to overcome semiconductor industry challenges.
South Korea’s semiconductor revolution: The startups behind the boom
South Korea’s semiconductor startup industry is thriving with government-backed initiatives, including a US$19.1B support programme, mega chip clusters, and an ecosystem fund.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Singapore explores AI-driven defence autonomy with Anduril
Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy software platform will be utilised to develop autonomous behaviours that allow soldiers to make informed decisions quickly.
Why AI needs context and curiosity, not toxic positivity
Savvy data practitioners now realise that governance, while never sexy, has taken on a new and heightened importance in the age of AI.
Startup in the AI era: Building global companies ‘piece by piece’
Fractional entrepreneurship is reshaping Korea’s startup ecosystem, enabling professionals to launch ventures while maintaining careers.
Why we’re saying “no” to DeepSeek for now
This article examines the various factors that influenced my company’s decision to postpone the adoption of DeepSeek.
More choices, less hassle: Unlocking retail magic with AI and tech
The retail sector is evolving to meet emerging generations’ expectations for hyper-personalised, seamless experiences.
LLM prompting, fine-tuning, RAG, or AI agents: Which AI is better for marketing?
In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, the key is to match your AI strategy with your business’s scale, resources, and goals.
How to use Gen AI-enabled chatbots for workplace safety?
By using the power of Gen AI, industries can not only meet but exceed current safety standards, setting a new benchmark for the future.
Beyond the inbox: How SEA startups can drive growth with AI-powered communication
According to Stephen Hamill of 8×8, growth fueled by AI-powered engagement will become a critical to startup communication strategies.
Small business, big impact: How AI is democratising entrepreneurship
AI isn’t just for bigshots; discover how small businesses are using it to personalize, build free websites & go global.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Navigating the capital winter: Strategies for successful fundraising in a slow market
As the capital winter could be prolonged, it is time for the founder to know how to survive and sustain longer and wisely.
Securities Commission of Malaysia’s new regulatory sandbox summarised
Malaysia’s new regulatory sandbox will enable more innovative capital market products and services such as tokenised securities.
Skills for the gig age: Empowering workers in Malaysia for the future of work
The gig economy can prove to be the solution to reduce the stagnant unemployment rate that Malaysia has been plagued by.
Bridging the skills gap: Empowering companies in Malaysia for success
As Malaysia continues its journey towards economic prosperity, bridging the skills gap remains a pressing priority.
Why startups need mobile apps to thrive in today’s competitive market
Discover how mobile apps can boost startup success, increase visibility, and drive revenue in today’s competitive digital marketplace.
The double-edged sword of personal branding: A journey of discovery
Building a personal brand is not a decision to be taken lightly, nor is it a one-size-fits-all solution for career advancement.
Unlocking startup investment: The vital role of virtual data rooms
Craft your data room thoughtfully, and it will become a strategic asset in your quest for capital and growth.
Skill-based hiring vs industry-based hiring: How should one decide?
Before an employer starts the hiring process, it is imperative to note the pros and cons of both to proceed.
The post Ecosystem Roundup: Singapore’s startup scene kicks off 2025 strong | Motion Ventures’s US$100M maritime tech fund | SoftBank acquires Ampere for US$6.5B appeared first on e27.