Header photo source: Every Half.
Every Half secures funding to elevate Vietnamese specialty coffee
Every Half Coffee Roasters, a rapidly expanding specialty coffee brand in Vietnam, has secured an undisclosed amount in initial funding, led by Openspace Ventures, with participation from DSG Consumer Partners.
Launched in 2021, Every Half began as an expert coffee roaster before quickly branching into its own cafes, now numbering eight in Ho Chi Minh City. Each outlet is said to offer a unique experience, reflecting the distinct character of its location while serving carefully curated specialty beans sourced from both local and global farms.
This infusion of capital will bolster Every Half’s supply chain, enabling deeper collaboration with farmers and further expansion of its retail footprint. The brand is committed to sustainable coffee production, working closely with local farmers to cultivate climate-resilient coffee varieties.
EcoSpirits raises USD 3 million green loan from DBS Bank to scale sustainable packaging
EcoSpirits (stylized as “ecoSPIRITS”), a Singapore-based innovator in circular packaging technology, has raised USD 3 million in trade finance from DBS Bank, marking one of the region’s first green loans for the packaging industry.
The financing, facilitated under Enterprise Singapore’s EFS-Green scheme, follows the company’s USD 10 million Series A round closed earlier this year. The funds will accelerate the company’s manufacturing capacity, enabling it to meet growing global demand for low-waste, circular distribution solutions in the spirits industry.
With this backing, EcoSpirits plans to deepen its partnerships with international clients, integrating its sustainable packaging technology into supply chains worldwide.
Return Helper raises USD 1.8 million to enhance cross-border e-commerce returns
Return Helper, a Hong Kong-based startup specializing in managing cross-border e-commerce returns, has raised USD 1.8 million in a new funding round led by Hirac Fund, with Pegatron Venture Capital also participating. This follows a USD 1.5 million pre-Series A round completed in May 2023.
The funds will be used to strengthen Return Helper’s presence in Japan and Southeast Asia, with a focus on improving its returns management system and advancing its recommerce strategy. This strategy aims to increase the local resale or recycling of returned goods, thereby minimizing waste and reducing carbon emissions.
Gamee secures investment from Pantera Capital
Gamee, a mobile gaming platform and subsidiary of Animoca Brands, has secured an undisclosed investment from Pantera Capital to bolster its presence on The Open Network (TON).
The platform is set to deepen its integration of TON-based digital assets, including tokens and NFTs, into its gaming experiences on Telegram.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Yuantian Biotechnology, a company focused on the enzymatic recycling and industrialization of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, has completed both its angel and pre-Series A funding rounds. The angel round was exclusively led by Innoangel Fund, while the pre-Series A round saw participation from JHT Investment. The capital will be directed toward process development and production line construction. —36Kr
- DaZheng Micro Nano Technology, a perovskite solar cell developer based in Jiangsu, has commenced its Series A2 round of financing, co-led by Mizuho Leaguer Investment and an unnamed institutional investor. The company previously secured a nine-figure RMB sum in its Series A1 round in 2023, with support from Hongjing Fund, Fengze Fund, Xiamen Guoxing Investment, Beijing Yitai Investment, and Junsan Capital. Proceeds from the latest round will be used to expand production lines and develop the market for its lightweight solar cells. —36Kr
- Honest Power, a company founded in June this year, has raised tens of millions of RMB in an angel funding round from Shunwei Capital. The funds will support the R&D of a hydrogen internal combustion engine, as well as product development and team expansion. Honest Power specializes in high-power internal combustion engines that utilize a blend of ammonia and hydrogen fuels, aiming to create advanced power systems for low- to zero-carbon fuel applications. —36Kr
- Ruijian AI, a digital content forgery detection firm, has raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in a funding round led by Fortune Capital. The company, which currently focuses on government clients, plans to use the capital to expand into business and consumer markets, facilitating the large-scale deployment of its AI-powered forgery detection solutions. Founded in 2020, Ruijian specializes in identifying AI-generated fake content, including deepfakes and software-edited falsifications. —36Kr
Latest funding deals in India:
- Axio, an online lending platform formerly known as Capital Float, has raised INR 1.67 billion (USD 19.9 million) through a rights issue. The names of the investors were not disclosed. —Entrackr
- Hangyo, a Mangaluru-based ice cream brand, has secured USD 25 million from Faering Capital. Hangyo will use the funds to enhance production, accelerate new product development, and expand its market presence. —Entrackr
- Livpure, a manufacturer of water purifiers and air conditioners, has raised INR 2.08 billion (USD 24.8 million) from M&G Investments, and an additional INR 250 million (USD 3 million) from Ncubate Capital Partners. The funds will be used for category expansion, product development, and market expansion. —Entrackr
- Even Healthcare, a Bengaluru-based healthcare company, has raised INR 1.69 billion (USD 20.1 million) in a funding round led by Khosla Ventures. The round also saw participation from Pathfinder, Mercury Fund, and others. The funds will be used to expand its subscription-based health services and employee stock option pool. —Entrackr
- FlexiLoans, a Mumbai-based lender focusing on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), has secured INR 750 million (USD 8.9 million) via non-convertible debentures from JM Financial. The debentures carry a coupon rate of 12.05% per annum with a tenure of 24 months. FlexiLoans plans to use the funds for ongoing business operations. —Entrackr
SleekFlow, Food Empire, FinKnight, and more led Wednesday’s headlines:
- SleekFlow, a Singapore-based provider of an omnichannel customer engagement platform, has bagged USD 7 million in a Series A+ funding round led by Atinum Investment. This round also saw participation from existing investors AEF Greater Bay Area Fund, managed by Gobi Partners GBA and Transcend Capital Partners, along with new investor Moses Tsang, former general partner at Goldman Sachs.
- Food Empire Holdings, a F&B manufacturing and distribution enterprise based in Singapore, has received a USD 40 million capital injection from Ikhlas Capital.
- FinKnight, a rebranded financial advisory firm formerly known as Beetle Knight Advisory, has secured an undisclosed sum of investment from First Move and a Gobi Partners affiliate.
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