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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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Let's delve into the core sections of our weekly newsletter:

• 📰 Important News

• 💸 Top Funding Rounds

• 💰️ Notable Exits

• 🏦 About Investors

• 📋️ Curated Lists

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🎙️ Expert Insights

• 🤝 Diversity Spotlight

• 🚀 Startup Of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• TikTok parent ByteDance has valued itself at approximately $300 billion, reportedly initiating a share buyback program as revealed by Reuters.

• Airwallex has committed 1% of its equity to philanthropy through the Pledge 1% movement to support global startups and entrepreneurs.

• Swiggy has appointed Supriya Shankar as VP of Events and Experience, alongside other leadership hires, amid its IPO debut.

• Carta has expanded into Australia, opening a Sydney office to support startups and investors in the region.

• AI-powered retail startup Hivery entered administration after raising $63 million, citing challenges despite industry recognition and investor support.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Chinese C Ray Therapeutics raised over $100 million in a Series A+ round to accelerate clinical development of its pipeline drugs.

• SarvaGram secured $67 million in Series D funding led by Peak XV Partners to expand its digital lending platform for rural and semi-urban households.

• New-Zealand based Auror closed a $48.08 million Series C to expand into the US and UK while enhancing R&D.

• SmartBank raised $26 million to expand its AI-driven personal finance app and prepaid card offerings, aiming to become Japan's leading AI fintech.

• Bhanzu obtained $16.5 million in Series B funding led by Epiq Capital to expand its AI-driven math education platform globally.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Crypto.com acquired Fintek Securities to gain an Australian Financial Services Licence allowing it to offer financial products in the country.

• Real estate platform Blox acquired an 11% stake in Guardians for $12 million with plans to increase ownership to 50% in three years.

• Accelerator and investor Scalare Partners went public on the ASX through a reverse takeover, raising $4.3 million with shares flatlining at $0.25.

• Yotta Data Services has acquired Delhi-based IndiQus Technologies to strengthen its sovereign AI and cloud capabilities.

• Kovai.co has acquired Bengaluru-based Floik to enhance its AI-powered knowledge management platform Document360.

🏦 About Investors

• Green Frontier Capital launched a $177.6 million fund targeting early-stage climate startups focused on accelerating India's low-carbon transition.

• Indonesian VC firm Intudo Ventures has raised $125 million for dual funds to support tech startups and renewable energy.

• Pavestone VC closed its $96.6 million Pavestone Technology Fund, exceeding its $71 million target, to back growth-stage B2B tech startups.

• BlueGreen Ventures launched a $75 million fund led by Rajeev Suri and Anup Jain to invest in early and growth-stage startups.

• Wavemaker Partners launched a $40.37 million fund to invest in Series B Southeast Asian startups.

📋️ Curated Lists

Australia’s venture capital ecosystem is thriving, with firms like Blackbird Ventures, Airtree Ventures, and Artesian VC fueling innovation across sectors such as tech, healthcare, and finance. These firms have supported globally recognized startups like Canva and Brighte, helping them scale and succeed. Check out the full article to explore the leading players, their investment activities, and their standout portfolios.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

C Ray Therapeutics

C Ray Therapeutics, a Chinese radiopharmaceutical startup founded in 2021 and based in Chengdu, has raised over $100 million in a Series A+ funding round. The capital will be used to strengthen its technology platform and accelerate the clinical development of its pipeline drugs. Specializing in radiopharmaceuticals for oncology, C Ray Therapeutics aims to address unmet clinical needs in treating life-threatening diseases, focusing on innovative therapeutic solutions to improve patient care.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Green Frontier Capital

Green Frontier Capital, founded in 2020, is a pioneering venture capital firm based in India, specializing in early-stage investments in climate technologies. The firm focuses on supporting startups that contribute to India's low-carbon transition through innovative climate solutions. Green Frontier Capital recently launched its first SEBI-approved fund, the Green Frontier Capital India Climate Opportunities Fund, with a target corpus of approximately $180 million. This fund aims to invest in startups that are advancing the use of IoT, big data, AI, and other technologies to reduce emissions, particularly across critical industries. Additionally, the fund will back ventures that are driving sustainability across sectors such as food systems, life sciences, and biological intelligence, with a broader vision of fostering India's shift to a sustainable economy.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Accelerating Asia Ventures' Flagship Program

Apply now to the Accelerating Asia Ventures' Flagship Program and scale your pre-Series A tech startup. With up to $250,000 in investment, expert advice, and a global network of investors and mentors, this accelerator propels your business forward. Whether refining your model, scaling operations, or fundraising, Accelerating Asia offers 1-1 sessions, masterclasses, and a Demo Day to drive growth in 100 days. Selection interviews for Cohort 11 start December 2024, and the program begins February 2025. Don’t miss your chance—apply today and elevate your startup!