Japan, for many non-Japanese entrepreneurs, is a wonderful market but with many barriers. A different language. A culture very different from that of the Western world. A conservative and slow decision-making process in corporations. These all seem to signal that change is not welcome here. That might not be the case, actually. Fintech start-up Habitto […]

At the Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) on November 16, 2023. MYbank, a leading internet bank in China and an associate of Ant Group, showcased digital solutions with the goal of improving accessibility to financial services for small and micro-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the agricultural sector. The showcased solutions included Tomtit for rural finance, Goose for […]

EduFi, a fintech startup headquartered in Singapore, has raised $6.1 million in a pre-seed funding round. Zayn VC leads the investment and contributions from Palm Drive Capital, Deem Ventures, Q Business, and angel investors.  Operating from Singapore, the startup is dedicated to simplifying the loan application process providing crucial financial support to students pursuing higher […]

The Singapore-based tech subscription service Circular has secured $7.6 million in seed funding. The funding round was led by venture capital firm AirTree Ventures from the investment landscape. Additional participants in the round included YC Continuity Fund, Global Founders Capital, Partech Ventures, and January Capital.  Circular operates as a high-end electronics subscription platform catering to […]

Indonesian fintech lending platform Investree has secured a substantial €220 million (approximately $230.8 million) in a Series D funding round, marking a significant milestone for the company. Qatar’s JTA International Holdings spearheaded the funding round and saw participation from established investor SBI Holding, further underlining Investree’s prominence in fintech. The financial boost comes as Investree […]

The Southeast Asian fintech startup has been a dynamic landscape, with countries like China, India, Singapore, and Indonesia emerging as fintech hubs, each with unique strengths and focus areas. Besides, governments across Asia actively work on fintech regulations to balance innovation and consumer protection. In 2023, the industry attracted substantial investments, with strong financial inclusion […]

In its recent Series A funding round, Vietnamese fintech platform MFast has successfully raised US$6 million. Wavemaker Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm with offices in Los Angeles and Singapore, led the funding. New investors include Headline Asia, based in Tokyo, and Finnoventure Fund I. MFast operates under the umbrella of Vietnam-based startup DigiPay. The […]

In the swiftly transforming landscape of financial technology (FinTech), Asia stands resolute at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurial dynamism. Anchoring this transformative wave are three standout conferences that have captured the imagination of FinTech aficionados and industry professionals alike: Shanghai’s INCLUSION·Conference on the Bund, Hong Kong FinTech Week, and Singapore FinTech Festival. These annual […]

Atome Financial has recently announced the renewal of its $100 million debt facility in collaboration with HSBC Singapore to expand its operations in the Philippine market.  The collaboration not only facilitates the company’s expansion endeavors but also leverages the global network, regional footprint, and banking expertise of HSBC Singapore to amplify Atome’s reach and impact […]

Sunrate, a global smart payment and treasury management platform, has successfully raised an extended Series D (Series D-2) funding round from Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia Capital Southeast Asia. The round included  Prosperity7 Ventures and Softbank Ventures Asia.  Sunrate’s recent series D2 funding round has provided the necessary financial impetus for the company to further […]