Thai startup APX gets ORZON’s backing
APX (Asia Pallet Express), a Thailand-based trucking hub-and-spoke network, raised an undisclosed sum in pre-Series A funding led by ORZON Ventures.
The capital will be used for team expansion, penetrating international markets, and strengthening the logistic platform.
APX provides door-to-door cargo transportation services through its network with modern platforms for LTL (less-than-truckload) and palletised cargo services. It aims to build a connected truck transport network in Thailand and the ASEAN region to improve logistic efficiency while reducing CO2 emissions and the number of trucks needed on the road in the long run.
Antler expands to Malaysia
Singapore-based global VC firm Antler announced a partnership with sovereign wealth fund Khazanah to establish a presence in Malaysia.
The collaboration aims to bolster Khazanah’s Future Malaysia Programme, an initiative under its Dana Impak (Impact Fund) mandate.
Dana Impak supports local entrepreneurs, startups, VCs, and corporate venture programmes through collaborations with domestic and international partners. It plans to invest RM6 billion (US$1.3 billion) over five years in Malaysia.
Under this strategic alliance, Antler from its Kuala Lumpur office will invest in over 30 startups across Malaysia over the next three years, with the inaugural Venture Generation Program to begin in October 2023, and applications are currently open.
1982 Ventures invests in Orderfaz
Orderfaz, an Indonesian fintech startup for social commerce sellers, completed a pre-seed financing led by 1982 Ventures.
The startup will use the money to make new hires across all functions to drive platform development and market expansion. It also plans to develop an omnichannel marketplace to manage orders across Orderfaz and third-party e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Tokopedia, and TikTok.
Orderfaz is a payment and commerce enablement platform designed to help brands and sellers improve online sales conversion rates in Indonesia’s booming social commerce market. It optimises digital sales and operations while providing sellers with increased sales through social commerce channels, lower transaction fees, and empowering brands to gain greater control over their digital businesses.
East Ventures backs SoLeLands
SoLeLands, an immersive game-based learning platform to support kids’ self-discovery, secured undisclosed funding led by East Ventures.
SMDV also participated.
The Indonesian startup will use the money for capacity building and product development in preparation for the soft launch in Q4 2023.
SoLeLands was founded in 2022 by Jonathan Prathama (CEO) and Adhi Paisoseputra (COO), inspired by the current state of parenting. The duo realised that children in today’s generations are growing up in a technology-driven society. Thus parents should equip their children with the necessary skills and values to thrive and adapt in an ever-changing landscape.
SMU’s LKYGBPC competition to be held in Sept.
Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) unveiled the 55 finalists selected for the Finals Week (known as BLAZE) of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC).
The 55 finalists will showcase their innovations before a panel of judges at the university campus from September 11-15, 2023. The grand finalists stand to win prizes worth S$2.5 (US$1.9) million.
LKYGBPC is one of Asia’s largest university-led bi-annual startup competitions, focussing on deep-tech innovators solving urgent global challenges of the 21st century.
The 11th edition of LKYGBPC received 1,000 submissions from 1,100 universities — including ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Harvard University (US), Imperial College London (UK), and MIT (US) — across 77 countries.
Eratani bags US$2M seed funding
Indonesia-based agritech firm Eratani received US$2 million in a seed extension round of funding from SBI Ven Capital, Genting Ventures, Orvel Ventures, and Ascend Angels.
This deal brings the total seed funding to US$5.8 million.
The new investment comes about half a year after Eratani raised US$3.8 million from TNB Aura, Trihill Capital, BIG Ventures, and AgFunder.
Established in 2021, Eratani integrates technology into farming operations to improve efficiency, drive sustainability, and foster growth in the country’s agricultural industry. Its solutions comprise farmer funding, supply chain management, crop distribution, and agricultural assistance. The firm claims it supports a network of 20,000 rice farmers across West Java, Central Java, East Java, Banten, and South Sulawesi.
KarirLab secures pre-seed funding
Indonesia-based KarirLab secured an undisclosed pre-seed funding round led by Alpha JWC Ventures and M Venture Partners.
The capital will enable KarirLab to accelerate its product development, expand its team, and establish strategic partnerships with leading universities and employers.
The funding will also fuel KarirLab’s platform enhancement, ensuring seamless student and employer experience to cater to the evolving needs of the job market.
KarirLab is an online platform that connects students and campuses with hiring employers.
The US$40M Radical Fund hits first close
The Radical Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in the climate tech sector, secured an undisclosed first close of its US$40 million fund. The firm said it is currently in conversations with family offices, corporates, foundations and institutional investors for its fund.
The fund is backed by regional family offices from the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand and individual investors from the US and Europe.
It aims to invest in early-stage startups in Southeast Asia (SEA) that are scaling solutions across climate adaptation and mitigation, which it believes will lead to a more resilient SEA.
It targets tech-enabled ventures in the pre-seed, seed, and Pre-Series A stages that are either based in SEA and/or have operations and presence in the region. These startups should deliver scaled commercial returns and climate outcomes to local and regional populations.
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Copyright: dolgachov
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