Kipin Edutech and others win Temasek Foundation Education Challenge
Startups Kipin Edutech, Stick’Em, and Dive Analytics have emerged as winners in the inaugural Temasek Foundation Education Challenge.
This event awarded Kipin the top prize for its digital tool that enables schools to go online in minutes—even in regions with no internet access—broadening educational reach in remote areas.
Stick’Em, the first runner-up, brings affordable STEAM education kits to schools, while Dive Analytics, the second runner-up, offers productivity software that improves school administration and monitors student well-being.
The challenge awarded SGD 90,000 (USD 68,055) in total to the winners, along with regional market access trips and opportunities for international exposure.
Indonesia’s Cards raises seed funding for school management platform
Cards (stylized as “CARDS”), an Indonesian edtech startup, has raised an undisclosed amount in a seed funding round led by Katha VC, with support from DS/X Ventures and EduSpaze, according to DailySocial.
The startup will channel the capital toward regional expansion, advancing its technology and building a sales team focused on school management solutions.
Cards offers digital tools that can be used to manage school administration and finance functions, bridging gaps for institutions in Indonesia’s second- and third-tier cities. It is also exploring partnerships with government and educational bodies to drive adoption and deepen market impact.
Jollibee acquires Tim Ho Wan in USD 15.3 million deal
The parent company of Philippine fast-food giant Jollibee has acquired Hong Kong’s Tim Ho Wan chain in a USD 15.3 million deal, securing full ownership by purchasing Titan Fund’s remaining 8% stake, according to CNA.
Tim Ho Wan now joins Jollibee’s diverse portfolio, which includes Yoshinoya, Compose Coffee, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, bolstering the company’s position for growth across Asia’s competitive dining market.
The Hosteller secures INR 480 million in Series A funding
The Hosteller, one of India’s leading backpacker hostel brands, has completed a Series A funding round, securing INR 480 million (USD 5.7 million) in equity led by V3 Ventures. Notable investors including Synergy Capital Partners, Real Time Angel Fund, and individuals from high-profile companies also participated.
The company raised an additional INR 160 million (USD 1.9 million) in venture debt from Black Soil.
With plans to expand its capacity from 2,500 to 10,000 beds by 2026, The Hosteller will use the funds to solidify its presence in cities like Rishikesh and Manali and venture into new travel destinations, meeting demand from a growing cohort of Generation Z and Millennial travelers.
Recent deals completed in China:
- ARCGine Technologies, a UAV traffic management solutions provider, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum in a funding round led by QF Capital, with additional backing from existing investor Yuanhe Capital. Glacier Capital China served as the long-term financial advisor. The capital will go toward enhancing production, technology R&D, and team expansion. —36Kr
- Deepano, an edge computing firm specializing in smart vehicle cabin solutions, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A funding round led by Jiayuan Zhijie, with participation from Shanghai Luanque Hetian. The funds will be used to support the expansion of Deepano’s team and further product development. —36Kr
- Raintree Scientific Instruments Corporation (RSIC), headquartered in Shanghai and focusing on high-precision optical measurement equipment for semiconductor applications, has completed a Series B funding round in the nine-figure RMB range. Goldstone Investment and China Merchants Securities co-led the round, with additional backing from SinoKing Capital, Henan Asset Management, and Dingqing Investment. The funds will fuel its R&D, market expansion, and product diversification efforts. —36Kr
- Sage Intelligent Technology, a humanoid robotics developer, has snagged an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A+ round of financing from Oriza Hua and 3E Capital. The funding will facilitate increased R&D for humanoid robotics, focusing on product iteration and initial forays into overseas markets. —36Kr
- Aiator, an outfit known for its robotic winder products, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in its Series A+ funding round. Shenqi Capital and Oriental Fortune Capital jointly led the investment, with follow-on investments from Gao Bingqiang and other individual backers. —36Kr
- SKGR, a manufacturer specializing in precision reduction gears, has raised a nine-figure RMB sum in its Series A funding round led by Fortune Capital, along with support from Sanhua Hongdao and Zhejiang Kunxin Investment Management. The funds will bolster R&D, production scale for planetary gear reducers, and development of harmonic reduction and drive systems. —36Kr
- Qingwei Rufeng Technology, an autonomous driving tech firm, has completed a pre-Series A round of financing in the eight-figure RMB range, led by Seas Capital with participation from TusPark Ventures. Qingwei Rufeng will utilize the funds to grow the team, develop products, and expand its operations. —36Kr
Leshines, Ampd Energy, Ensonic, and more made recent headlines:
- Leshines, the supply chain solutions arm of Lenovo, secured USD 50 million from ewpartners (formerly eWTP Arabia Capital), marking the first transaction under the investor’s second growth-stage fund.
- Ampd Energy, a developer of battery energy storage systems (ESS) for heavy industries, secured USD 27.3 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round, co-led by Kibo Invest and Openspace, with existing investors including MTR Lab and Taronga Ventures.
- Ensonic, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup specializing in acoustic detection technology for industrial and transportation applications, raised an undisclosed amount of investment from Hong Kong’s MTR Lab.
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