Swipey raises funding from 1337 Ventures to enhance SME financial tools
Malaysia-based fintech platform Swipey has secured an undisclosed investment from 1337 Ventures. This funding fuels Swipey’s mission to simplify financial management for small and medium enterprises..
With features like real-time expense dashboards, corporate Visa cards, and automated financial processes, Swipey’s platform aims to help SMEs optimize operations and scale more efficiently. The new funds will support platform enhancements and pave the way for a pre-Series A round, focusing on innovative features to meet growing demand.
Funding Societies secures USD 25 million investment from Cool Japan Fund
Funding Societies, a digital finance platform serving SMEs in Southeast Asia, has raised USD 25 million from the Cool Japan Fund (CJF), marking CJF’s first foray into the region’s fintech landscape.
The equity investment will bolster Funding Societies’ core SME financing services across Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, and accelerate the growth of its payments business. The collaboration also seeks to connect Japanese and local SMEs, fostering cross-border partnerships.
Mojave Energy raises USD 9.5 million for energy-efficient cooling in Asia
Mojave Energy Systems has closed a USD 9.5 million Series A funding round led by Vietnam-based Earth Venture Capital, with participation from Fifth Wall, At One Ventures, and others.
This funding will drive the adoption of Mojave’s ArctiDry system, a solution that utilizes patented liquid desiccant technology to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%, targeting Southeast Asia’s growing HVAC market.
KiranaPro secures pre-seed funding to transform India’s retail landscape
KiranaPro, an Indian quick commerce startup, has raised an undisclosed amount in pre-seed funding from investors including Yatish Talvadia (MilkBasket), Vikas Taneja (Boston Consulting Group), TurboStart, and Blume Founders Fund.
The investment will drive KiranaPro’s efforts to digitize traditional kirana stores, transforming them into fulfillment centers for rapid deliveries. The funds will be used to expand infrastructure, build operational teams, and scale the consumer app to enter new cities.
Skyseed announces fund to drive Bluesky growth
Skyseed, a USD 1 million fund led by Python advocate Peter Wang, has launched to support development on Bluesky, according to TechCrunch. Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform initiated by Jack Dorsey as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter).
The fund will provide grants for projects using Bluesky’s AT Protocol, including privacy tools, parental controls, and community-focused apps. Operating independently from Bluesky, Skyseed is designed to foster third-party ecosystem growth.
CATL considers secondary Hong Kong listing to fuel overseas expansion
Contemporary Amperex Technology Company (CATL), the world’s leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer, is considering a secondary listing in Hong Kong, targeting at least USD 5 billion, according to Bloomberg. If successful, it would be the city’s largest IPO since 2021.
Proceeds from the listing would fuel CATL’s global expansion amid rising demand for EV batteries. Shares of CATL, already listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, have surged approximately 65% this year, driven by market rallies and stimulus measures in China.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Care, a Beijing-based medtech company, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A+ funding round led by CRHC Fund. The proceeds will be allocated toward product R&D, clinical trials, registration, and market expansion. Founded in December 2020, the company specializes in neuroscience-driven solutions for neurological disorders and has secured six medical device registrations. —36Kr
- Pilton, a Chinese pet tech startup, has secured RMB 30 million (USD 4.2 million) in a Series A funding round led by Anji Government Industrial Fund, with participation from Bohuiyuan Venture Capital and SmartPet. The funds will be used to expand its smart pet cabin product line. —36Kr
- Avatr, a joint venture led by Chang’an Automobile and 12 other investors, has secured RMB 11.1 billion (USD 1.6 billion) in its Series C funding round. Chang’an contributed RMB 4.55 billion (USD 637 million), retaining a 40.99% stake. Avatr aims to leverage these funds to expedite its electric vehicle R&D and international market expansion. —36Kr
- AIsphere, a Beijing-based generative artificial intelligence startup, completed its Series A2 to A4 funding rounds, raising RMB 300 million (USD 42 million). Backed by Ant Group, Beijing AI Investment Fund, and CAS Investment Management, the funds will focus on enhancing its video generation technologies. —36Kr
- Xirui, an advanced material company, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum from a Series A funding round led by Hainan Zhonghao Enterprise Management. The company plans to expand its rare-earth antibacterial materials production and commercialization efforts. —36Kr
- Shijing Technology, a Nanjing-registered precision ceramics and metals manufacturer, has raised nearly RMB 10 million (USD 1.4 million) in an angel funding round. The funds will support production scaling, R&D, and market expansion. —36Kr
Alibaba’s Intime, Tyme, Zhipu AI, and more made recent headlines:
- Alibaba Group announced the sale of its department store unit, Intime Retail, to a consortium co-led by Youngor Fashion and Intime’s management team for RMB 7.4 billion (USD 1 billion). The deal is subject to regulatory approvals.
- Tyme Group, a digital banking platform serving customers across Africa and Southeast Asia, raised USD 250 million in an oversubscribed Series D funding round, achieving a valuation of USD 1.5 billion. Nubank led the round with a USD 150 million investment, while M&G Catalyst invested USD 50 million. Existing shareholders contributed the remaining USD 50 million.
- Zhipu AI, one of China’s AI unicorns, completed a new funding round, raising RMB 3 billion (USD 420 million). The round included participation from several private and state-backed investors, with Legend Capital Management among the returning backers.
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