Sleek EV raises Series A funding for capacity expansion
Sleek EV, a Singapore-headquartered electric scooter manufacturer operating in Thailand, has raised USD 8.5 million in the first close of its Series A funding round. The round was led by Kymco Capital, the investment arm backed by global powersports manufacturer Kwang Yang Motor, alongside more than 20 investors, including several from China.
The company plans to use the capital to expand production capacity at a larger facility in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, accelerate R&D for artificial intelligence-driven software and in-vehicle agents, and scale its battery swapping and charging network more than sevenfold nationwide. It is also deepening partnerships with ecosystem players including PTT OR, Krungsri Auto, Toyota Tsusho, and Grab.
Founded to build an end-to-end electric motorcycle ecosystem spanning vehicles, infrastructure, and software, Sleek EV expects Thailand to emerge as a regional hub for electric two-wheelers. The company aims to become the country’s leading electric motorcycle brand by 2026.
Polybee raises USD 4.3 million in seed funding
Polybee, a Singapore-based agriculture technology company, has raised USD 4.3 million in a seed round, according to AFN. The round was co-led by Paspalis Capital and Elev8.vc, with participation from Seeds Capital and angel investors.
The funding will be used to expand Polybee’s commercial footprint by up to fivefold to more than 4,000 acres by 2026 and scale deployments of its autonomous, self-recharging drones used in agriculture. The platform combines computer vision and AI to support yield forecasting, harvest timing, and early stress detection. Its airflow-based pollination technology is positioned as an alternative to bumblebees in controlled greenhouse environments, a claim the company has not independently validated.
Australia’s Neara raises Series D funding
Neara, an Australia-founded infrastructure intelligence company, has raised AUD 90 million (USD 63.8 million) in a Series D round led by TCV. Returning investors Partners Group, EQT, Square Peg Capital, and Skip Capital also participated.
The round brings Neara’s total funding to about AUD 180 million (USD 127.5 million). The company plans to use the capital to expand its global machine learning and AI engineering teams and support international growth. Neara’s digital twin platform is used by utilities to identify underutilized network capacity, connect new energy and data center projects more quickly, and manage grid resilience amid rising demand.
Neara works with utility companies across the US, Europe, and Australia, where it serves a large share of electricity network operators. Its technology is used to shorten connection timelines and consolidate planning, design, and operations workflows, according to the company.
Hyperbond Studio snags seed funding for language learning app
Hyperbond Studio, a Singapore-based startup, has raised USD 500,000 in a seed round backed by investors including NLS Ventures, Loyal VC, and Attribute Global Ventures, as well as angel investors affiliated with Wintermute, Julius Baer, and Plug and Play.
The company will use the proceeds for product development, team expansion, and infrastructure scaling following the launch of Call Me Sensei, a companionship-based language learning app currently in open beta. Hyperbond is working with MiniMax, which provides its Speech 2.8 model to support voice-based interactions in the application.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Noematrix, an embodied intelligence startup, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A round led by C Capital, with participation from Sea Limited, Puhua Capital, and other local and overseas investors. Existing shareholder Prosperity7 Ventures increased its stake. Proceeds will be used to accelerate overseas commercialization and support technology deployment across diverse global environments. —36Kr
- Imagesource, a smart manufacturing company, has completed a pre-Series A round backed by a fund managed by Hangzhou STI Group. The financing follows an RMB 5 million (USD 700,000) investment from a district-level government fund in June 2025, bringing the company’s total funding to more than RMB 10 million (USD 1.4 million). The capital will be used to advance product R&D, expand the team, and scale market outreach. —36Kr
- Skydream, a smart caravan manufacturer, has raised RMB 80 million (USD 11.2 million) across angel and pre-Series A rounds, with participation from investors including Lion Partners Capital and Skyworks. The company will deploy the funds toward product development, team expansion, and the mass production of new energy caravans for global markets. It is also developing an electric trailer skateboard chassis integrating energy systems, autonomous driving, and vehicle control technologies. —36Kr
- Puxing Space, an optical payload and microsatellite solutions provider, has secured RMB 30 million (USD 4.2 million) in an angel round led by TusStar VC. Proceeds will support R&D, the construction of a satellite manufacturing facility in Changchun, and team expansion. —36Kr
- XinSheng Tech, a semiconductor startup, has raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in an angel round led by Zhongguancun Qihang, with participation from multiple industrial and financial investors. Founded in 2024, the company develops time-sensitive networking communication chips for smart driving. The funding will support product development targeting next-generation centralized automotive electronic architectures. —36Kr
- Xunlin, an advanced materials company, has closed a Series A round worth nearly RMB 100 million led by Jolmo Capital, with backing from Binhai Industrial Fund and existing shareholders. The capital will be used to expand production capacity for large glass substrates and develop downstream packaging module lines. —36Kr
- Windrose Technology, an electric truck manufacturer, has launched a Series C round targeting a total raise of more than USD 100 million, with the C1 tranche led by a fund managed by China Mobile. The company also secured credit lines from several state-owned banks. Proceeds will support global mass production and delivery following regulatory certifications in China, the US, and Europe, as well as the buildout of overseas assembly and charging infrastructure. —36Kr
- Zhenjin New Ceramics, an electronic ceramics supplier, has completed an angel plus round worth an eight-figure RMB sum led by the venture investment arm of Shenzhen Credit Guarantee Group. Founded in 2024, the company develops advanced ceramic materials, including aluminum nitride substrates and silicon carbide components. Funds will be used to scale production capacity and optimize mass production equipment. —36Kr
- Chinanoo Precision Technology, a Kunshan-based industrial automation company, has raised RMB 25 million (USD 3.5 million) in a pre-Series A round backed by multiple undisclosed investors. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on magnetic levitation flexible conveyor systems and has developed capabilities spanning core components and complete production lines. The capital will support R&D, market expansion, and team building. —36Kr
HeyMax, Ekko, Secai Marche, and others made recent headlines:
- HeyMax, a Singapore-based operator of the eponymous travel and loyalty rewards platform, raised USD 11 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Betatron Venture Group and existing investors January Capital and Tenity, as well as several individual investors.
- Ekko, a Vietnam-based company focused on reducing employee financial stress and turnover, raised USD 4.2 million in a seed round comprising both equity and debt. The round was backed by Impact Square, Fondation Botnar, Sagana, and several Vietnamese high-net-worth individuals.
- Secai Marche, a Tokyo-based operator of a fresh food e-commerce platform serving Southeast Asia, secured an undisclosed investment from MOL Plus, the venture arm of Mitsui OSK Lines.
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