Malaysia’s pension fund, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP), has unveiled its initial investments under the Dana Perintis strategy, with $21 million. The investments include two direct investments in local startups and commitments to two venture capital funds. KWAP has announced its support for two startups, Bateriku (M) Sdn Bhd and Lapasar Sdn Bhd, as part […]

Malaysian startup Qarbotech has secured $700,000 in seed funding to boost production of their photosynthesis enhancer, aiming for a 50x increase. This solution accelerates plant growth and reduces crop cycles, addressing global food security concerns.  Qarbotech is scaling up its photosynthesis enhancer production from 2,000 liters to 100,000 liters per month, alongside expanding its international […]

Netherlands-based investment firm Orient Growth Ventures has successfully closed its second fund, Orient Growth Fund II, amassing $90 million in commitments. This fund is a major increase from its inaugural $25-million fund raised in 2020. The firm has shown an escalating focus on backing early-stage venture capital managers across Southeast Asia and India. With Orient […]

Pixelmon, a decentralized web3 gaming IP company, has secured a seed investment of US$8 million from various investors, including Animoca Brands, Delphi Ventures, Amber Group, and Bing Ventures. Other participants in the funding round include Bitscale Capital, Cypher Capital, Foresight Ventures, Mechanism Capital, Sfermion, Spartan Labs, and VistaLabs. Following a challenging period of criticism, Pixelmon […]

Antler, a global early-stage VC firm headquartered in Singapore, has announced its largest pre-seed investment round to date, committing $5.1 million to 37 startups across Southeast Asia. The portfolio encompasses a wide range of sectors, including AI, B2B SaaS, fintech, and healthcare, addressing various regional challenges. Antler’s recent commitment to backing Singaporean startups, including BorderDollar, […]

Malaysia-based food startup Meals in Minutes has successfully raised $1.5 million in a seed funding round, with 500 Global leading the investment and participation from an undisclosed private investor. With the infusion, Meals in Minutes aims to enhance its meal kit offerings, providing customers with more diverse and time-efficient options. Meals in Minutes has outlined a […]

MADCash, the Malaysian fintech startup specializing in zero-interest micro-funding for women entrepreneurs, has successfully concluded its pre-Series A funding round with a RM 5 million investment. Artem Ventures led the investment charge, with contributions from MSW Ventures and the ScaleUp Founders Fund.  With the funding, MADCash aims to empower women entrepreneurs who are often unbanked […]

Venture capital firm 500 Global has successfully closed its 500 Southeast Asia III fund, amassing $143 million in capital. It is the firm’s largest early-stage fund dedicated to Southeast Asia. It serves as its primary investment vehicle for startups throughout the region’s growth journey, from pre-seed stages to the cusp of initial public offerings (IPOs). […]

The tally of recognized startups and acquisitions, burgeoning to 84,012 in 2022 from a mere 452 in 2016, is a testament to the positive impact of investment incentives and simplified business regulations, as highlighted by the Economic Survey 2022-23. As we embrace 2023, the Southeast Asian startup landscape is abuzz with anticipation surrounding cross-border acquisitions […]

Malaysian recommerce platform, CompAsia, has secured series A funding in a round led by Gobi Partners, a Pan-Asian venture capital firm. The exact amount of funding remains undisclosed. The funding injection will support CompAsia’s ambition to expand its presence in Asia.  CompAsia specializes in creating an integrated platform that facilitates the trading and purchasing of […]