seed
Japanese digital alternatives platform gets pre-Series A
Luca, a Japan-based fundraising platform that aims to give local high net worth investors access to alternatives, has received seed-stage funding from VC investors.
Quest backs Vietnam robotic prosthetics start-up
Singapore’s Quest Ventures has confirmed an investment of undisclosed size in Vietnam-based robotic prosthetics start-up Vulcan Augmetics.
Jungle launches Southeast Asia, India seed programme
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has launched a Southeast Asia-India seed programme, claiming a first-of-its-kind investment structure to limit dilution for founders.
Fund focus: 500 Global scales up in Southeast Asia
By investing early and building a diversified portfolio, 500 Global emerged from the technology valuation corrections somewhat unscathed. This gave the firm impetus when raising its third Southeast Asia fund
India-US cross-border GP Pentathlon Ventures targets $55m
Pentathlon Ventures, a US-India cross-border early-stage investor focused on B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) has launched its second fund with a target of USD 55m.
Australia's Side Stage hits first close on VC fund
Side Stage Ventures, an Australian early-stage investor set up last year, has reached a first close of AUD 15m (USD 9.8m) on its debut fund. The target is AUD 30m.
India's Together seeks $150m for second VC fund
India’s Together Fund, an early-stage VC firm focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and software-as-a-service (SaaS), has reached a first close of undisclosed size on its second fund. The target is $150m.
Indonesia's Maka Motors raises $37.5m seed round
East Ventures, AC Ventures, and SV Investment have led a USD 37.6m seed round for Maka Motors, an Indonesian electric vehicle (EV) maker in the R&D phase.
Japan's Angel Bridge closes third fund on $72m
Japanese early-stage investor Angel Bridge has closed its third fund with JPY 10bn (USD 72m) in commitments from local investors.
Japan's 01Booster Capital closes debut fund
01Booster Capital, a Japanese accelerator and VC investor set up in 2012, has closed its debut fund at an undeclared size. It was launched in late 2021.
India's CapFort Ventures seeks $24m for debut VC fund
India’s CapFort Ventures, an early-stage VC firm set up this year by investors at local incubator Venture Catalysts, has launched its debut fund with a target of USD 24m.
500 Global backs debut fund from Singapore's First Move
500 Global has backed the debut fund raised by Singapore’s First Move, a pre-seed VC firm set up by former executives of Malaysian online-to-offline commerce services provider Fave.
Illuminate Financial closes $235m VC fund, targets Asia
Illuminate Financial, a UK-headquartered GP with a base in Singapore, has closed its third fintech VC fund on USD 235m amidst plans to expand activity in the region.
Philippines VC firm Kaya raises $12m across two funds
Philippines-based VC investor and venture studio Kaya Founders has achieved a first close of USD 12m across two early-stage funds. The target - for both vehicles - is USD 25m.
Constantinople raises Australia's largest-ever seed round
Australia’s Square Peg Capital has led a AUD 32m (USD 21.3m) seed round for local banking software provider Constantinople. It is being called the largest-ever seed investment in Australia.
East Ventures closes follow-on fund at $250m
East Ventures has announced a first and final close of USD 250m on its latest follow-on fund, bringing capital raised in the past 12 months to USD 835m.
Japan's Genesia closes Fund III on USD 110m
Japan’s Genesia Ventures, a seed-stage tech investor with a presence in Indonesia and Vietnam, has closed its third fund on USD 110m.
India's Rockstud targets $37m for sophomore angel fund
India’s Rockstud Capital, an early-stage VC investor backed by high net worth individuals, has launched its second angel fund with a target of INR 3bn (USD 37m).
Deal focus: Glimmer in a dormant Pakistani ecosystem
Pakistan’s Trukkr quietly spent a hardscrabble pre-seed period building infrastructure while competitors leveraged a short-lived VC boom to grow quickly. The patience appears set to pay off
Japan's Keio Innovation targets $109m for Fund III
Keio Innovation, a VC arm of Keio University, is aiming to raise JPY 15bn (USD 109.2m) for its third fund, more than its first two vintages combined.
US, UK VCs invest Pakistan logistics start-up Trukkr
US-based Accion Venture Lab and Sturgeon Capital of the UK have led a USD 6.4m seed round for Pakistan’s Trukkr, a financial technology provider for the trucking industry.
Hong Kong: Action on innovation
Efforts to turn Hong Kong into a technology ecosystem are still at an early stage. Investors and start-up founders believe many of the ingredients are there, but the recipe can be flawed or ignored
Singapore's Grayscale hits first close on debut VC fund
Grayscale Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm set up last month by South Asia-focused investors at Japan’s Strive, has achieved a first close of about USD 10m on its debut fund.
Hong Kong pledges more capital for local start-ups
The Hong Kong government is stepping up its investments in technology start-ups, pledging additional funding to programmes run by HKSTPC, an incubator under Hong Kong Science & Technology Park, and Cyberport.