Singapore IoT supplier UnaBiz gets $10m
UnaBiz, a Singapore-based technology provider focused on the internet-of-things (IoT), has received a $10 million funding round from a group of investors including Japan’s KDDI Corporation and Global Brain.
Other participants included French energy technology company Energie and a security-focused subsidiary of Taiwan’s Shin Kong Group. KDDI and Global Brain invested via their third jointly managed vehicle KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (KOIF III), alongside Soracom, a Japanese IoT specialist and existing portfolio company of KDDI.
Founded in 2016, UnaBiz is the exclusive network operator for French telecom Sigfox in Singapore and Taiwan, providing a range of IoT services. The company claims to be the first operator of its kind to roll out a nationwide IoT network in Asia. According to a release, it has a customer base across 25 countries and is looking to expand.
KDDI and Global Brain set up KOIF III earlier this year with a view to investing JPY20 billion ($180 million) in IoT, artificial intelligence, and data marketing over the next five years as 5G telecom infrastructure comes into widespread use. KDDI has looked to expand its IoT business through moves such as the acquisition of Soracom to stem the effects of a declining mobile subscription base.
Data infrastructure in Asia, including IoT installations and services, is seen as a compelling trend for investors due to the continued growth in demand for remote internet access and greater computing capacity. Data-focused assets are said to benefit from a more flexible and scalable development profile than traditional infrastructure.
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