Djoin secures seed funding from 500 Global
Djoin, a financial platform for microfinance institutions (MFIs), has raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from 500 Global. This investment will enable Djoin to accelerate its go-to-market strategy, scale its team, expand its platform capabilities, and reach new regions across Indonesia.
According to Djoin, over 50% of Indonesians are underbanked or unbanked, heavily relying on MFIs, especially credit unions, for financial services. Unlike conventional banks, credit unions reach rural and remote areas, serving at least half of the nation’s population.
Djoin’s platform aims to help MFIs meet the needs of the underbanked and unbanked, offering banking services, a credit decisioning engine, and a loan-channeling product.
Juleo raises USD 2.5 million in angel round
Juleo, an operator of a “singles club,” has raised USD 2.5 million in an angel funding round from over 180 investors, including Ramakant Sharma (Livspace), Kunal Shah (Cred), Ruchi Deepak (Acko), Leo Puri (formerly from JP Morgan), and Harsh Jain and Lalit Keshre (Groww).
Founded in 2023, Juleo said it offers a “responsible and healthy” approach to dating and matrimony by fostering genuine, real-life meetings. Users can join Julio via its mobile app, which utilizes India Stack to ensure every member is verified using official credentials.
Vertex Ventures backs Norma from South Korea
Norma, a South Korean quantum security firm, has reportedly secured investment from Vertex Ventures, according to DealStreetAsia.
Shen Dongjie, director at Norma, told the media outlet that the company is now looking to raise a bridge funding round.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Airy Semi, a semiconductor overlay equipment provider, has secured an undisclosed amount in a pre-Series A round of financing. Z&Y Capital and Jolmo Capital were the investors. —36Kr
- Dr Clear Aligner, a Shanghai-registered orthodontic brand, has raised at least RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in a Series A funding round, invested exclusively by Qiming Venture Partners. The funds will be used for the product development and market expansion. —36Kr
- SCII, an electronics company established in 1999, has secured over RMB 300 million (USD 42 million) in an angel funding round led by Hengxu Capital, with participation from Geely Capital, Zhongqing Capital, GAC Capital, and Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holdings Group. The funds will be used for the R&D and production of battery disconnect units (BDUs), high-voltage DC contactors, and filters. —36Kr
- Dashchip, a developer of audio digital signal processing (DSP) chips, has completed an angel round of financing. The round was co-led by Sharewin Investment and Oriza Rivertown. —36Kr
- Novamab, a biotechnology company, has raised close to RMB 200 million (USD 28 million) in a Series B2 funding round. The round was led by Qiming Venture Partners, with participation from new and existing investors. —36Kr
Secai Marche, Xpeng AeroHT, CATL, and more led yesterday’s headlines:
- Secai Marche, a Japan-headquartered business connecting farmers directly with restaurants and retailers in Southeast Asia, raised JPY 300 million (USD 2.1 million) to bring its Series A funding round to a total of USD 3.5 million. The investors include Beyond Next Ventures, Spiral Ventures Asia, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, Future Food Fund, Tsuneishi Shoji, Fukuoka Sonoriku, and Foodison co-CEO Toru Yamamoto.
- Xpeng AeroHT, an affiliate company of Xpeng Motors dedicated to the development of flying cars, raised USD 150 million in its Series B1 funding round and has initiated a Series B2 round.
- Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker, has invested hundreds of millions of USD in AutoFlight, an air taxi startup.
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