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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Asia Pacific, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌏️ 

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📰 Important News

• The White House is leading talks for ByteDance’s largest non-Chinese investors to increase their stakes and acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations.

• Taiwan fined Singapore-based fintech firm AnyTech $65,764 for violating investment regulations linked to national security.

• Delhi will ban non-electric two-wheeler registrations from 2026 under its EV Policy 2.0, aiming for 95% EV registrations by 2027.

• OpenAI and Meta are exploring partnerships with India’s Reliance Industries to distribute their AI solutions through Reliance’s business units like Jio.

• GoTo Gojek denied acquisition talks with Grab, with Singapore's competition watchdog CCCS stating it hasn't received a merger notice.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Bridge Data Centres has secured a $2.8 billion loan for its Malaysia operations to refinance existing facilities and fund expansion.

• Hero MotoCorp has invested up to $61 million in Euler Motors to enter the electric three-wheeler market, aiming to strengthen its position in the sector.

• RegCell has secured $45.8 million in funding, including $8.5 million from an oversubscribed seed round and $37.3 million from Japan's AMED.

• Chinese AI startup Zhipu AI has raised $41.5 million from a government-backed fund in Chengdu, continuing its funding spree.

• Vroong raised $21 million in funding from Shinhan Securities to expand delivery infrastructure.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Edtech firm Physics Wallah has filed for a $531 million IPO in India, with a significant portion as an offer for sale.

• Fore, backed by East Ventures, has launched an IPO offering up to $22.98 million set for listing on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on April 11.

• Nazara Technologies has acquired full ownership of Absolute Sports by purchasing an additional 8.97% stake for $8 million.

• Unicommerce has acquired the remaining 57.24% stake in Shipway through a share swap deal, making Shipway a wholly-owned subsidiary.

• Swyftx and Easy Crypto merged to create a crypto powerhouse with over 1.1 million customers, enhancing trading features and expanding coin offerings.

🏦 About Investors

• Venturi Partners has launched its second fund targeting $225 million to invest in growth-stage consumer brands in India and Southeast Asia.

• Motion Ventures has launched a $100 million fund to invest in maritime tech startups focusing on digitalization and decarbonization.

• Indian VC firm Endiya Partners has closed its $100 million Fund 3 with backing from IFC and AIIB, planning expansion into Southeast Asia.

• King River Capital is closing a $100 million fund to invest in AI-driven startups, with support from UNSW, Future Super, and other backers.

• Vertex Ventures Japan has closed its inaugural fund at $67 million to support Japanese startups in sectors like deep tech and AI.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Euler Motors

Euler Motors, an Indian OEM specializing in electric commercial vehicles, was founded in 2018 by Saurav Kumar and is headquartered in New Delhi. Hero MotoCorp has invested up to $61 million in Euler Motors to enter the electric three-wheeler market, aiming to strengthen its position in India's growing EV sector, where electric three-wheelers are expected to account for 35% of total sales in the near future. This strategic investment aligns with Hero MotoCorp’s vision for sustainable mobility and expansion, while Euler Motors continues to advance its electric vehicle offerings, including its newly launched commercial four-wheeler.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Venturi Partners

Venturi Partners, a Singapore-based growth-stage investment firm specializing in consumer-facing businesses across India and Southeast Asia, has launched its second fund targeting $225 million, with a hard cap of $250 million and a first close goal of $130 million by Q2 2025. Founded in 2019, Venturi focuses on high-growth sectors such as retail, education, healthcare, and FMCG, emphasizing long-term partnerships with entrepreneurs to support customer-centric brands. This new fund follows its first $180 million fund raised in April 2022, which has already invested in seven consumer-focused businesses, reinforcing Venturi’s commitment to evolving market preferences in Asia.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: the Techstars Tokyo Accelerator

Apply to the Techstars Tokyo Accelerator by May 14th, 2025, and elevate your startup on the global stage. This sector-agnostic program supports entrepreneurs in Deeptech, Fintech, Cleantech, and Climatetech, providing access to a world-class ecosystem, mentorship, and investor connections. Whether you’re a startup from within Japan with plans to expand beyond the Japanese market, or an international startup looking to target Japan or find local business partners and talent, this program is tailored for you. Powered by Mitsui Fudosan and JETRO Startup, in collaboration with the Cabinet Office, METI, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the accelerator kicks off on August 18th, 2025, with Demo Day on November 11th. Start your application today and join a vibrant global network of innovators in Tokyo!