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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 🌏️ 

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.

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

• Oyo's founder Ritesh Agarwal is planning a $65.1 million investment valuing the startup at $3.8 billion, ahead of its third attempt at an IPO.

• Chinese autonomous vehicle startup Pony AI increased its IPO goal to $260 million from $224 million, aiming to sell 20 million shares.

• Canva has hired ex-Zoom CFO to strengthen its leadership but remains cautious about the timing of its potential initial public offering.

• Enterprise Singapore has launched a Global Innovation Alliance node in Stockholm to help Singapore tech startups partner with Swedish corporates.

• India Accelerator has filed a legal complaint against SustainKart founder Kanthi Dutt for misrepresenting financial data to secure additional funding.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Zepto raises $350 million in its third funding round in six months, maintaining its $5 billion valuation as it prepares for an IPO.

• Atome Financial secured a $200 million syndicated credit facility led by HSBC to enhance its lending services and expand its Atome card across SEA.

• Indian nutrition platform HealthKart raised $153 million in a funding round led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal Alternates.

• China's embodied AI startup Galbot raised $69 million in a strategic round to develop general-purpose robots and establish a Hong Kong AI lab.

• South Korean fabless startup Panmnesia raised a $57 million Series A round led by InterVest to advance chip production and strengthen IT collaborations.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Indian retail tech startup Arzooo, once valued at $310 million, has sold its assets to Moksha Group in a distressed deal after failed merger negotiations.

• MakeMyTrip has signed a Business Transfer Agreement to acquire Happay’s expense management platform from CRED.

• Finder acquired Sydney-based Grow My Money, a cashback rewards startup that allows users to direct funds to superannuation or mortgage accounts.

• Suditi Industries has acquired the Indian e-commerce kidswear brand Gini & Jony to expand its presence in the kidswear segment.

• Decision Inc. acquired ProQuest Consulting, combining Salesforce expertise with AI and data capabilities to drive digital transformation.

🏦 About Investors

• Melbourne-based Boman Group is launching a $1 billion venture fund to support investment and expansion opportunities across China and Australia.

• Openspace Ventures has finalized its fourth early-stage fund at $163 million, marking a lower total compared to its predecessor fund.

• Sydney-based AirTree Ventures has secured $67.7 million from US investors for two new funds.

• Ex-World Bank executive Sayan Ghosh has launched Ortella Global Capital, a $35.5 million VC fund targeting early and growth-stage startups in India.

• Indonesian VC Ideosource is winding down operations after a decade as its fund expired early this year and most of its portfolio was liquidated.

📋️ Curated Lists

Discover New Zealand’s dynamic startup ecosystem fueled by its most active venture capital firms. From Icehouse Ventures to Punakaiki Fund, these VC powerhouses are backing high-potential startups like Crimson and Auror, driving innovation across tech, sustainability, and more. With strategic investments and guidance, they’re positioning New Zealand as a global startup hub. Delve into the full article to get more insights.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Zepto

The Indian quick-commerce leader has raised $350 million in a funding round led by domestic investors, including Motilal Oswal, and prominent family offices like Mankind Pharma and RP-Sanjiv Goenka, maintaining its $5 billion valuation. This marks its third round in six months, bringing total funding to over $1.35 billion as the company prepares for an IPO next year. Serving over 7 million daily orders across 17 cities, Zepto projects $2 billion in annualized sales with 150% growth expected in the next year. The funding reflects India's booming quick-commerce market, projected to reach $42 billion by 2030, though the sector faces challenges like regulatory scrutiny and the closure of mom-and-pop stores.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Boman Group

The Melbourne-based Boman Group is launching a $1 billion venture fund to invest in healthcare, technology, and renewable energy firms in China and Australia. This initiative aligns with its recent acquisition of a Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (QFLP) license in China, enabling cross-border investments. With $600 million in assets under management, the firm aims to bridge Australian innovation with China's expansive market and commercialization expertise. The fund seeks to address challenges like limited early-stage funding in Australia while facilitating Chinese firms' expansion into Australia.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: Llama 3.1 Impact Grants

Meta's Llama 3.1 Impact Grants application deadline has been extended to December 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM PT, offering organizations a chance to secure funding of up to $500,000. The program supports innovative projects leveraging Llama 3.1 or 3.2 to address global challenges in areas like economic development, science and innovation, public services, and education. Participating organizations must demonstrate technical feasibility, impactful solutions, and a robust business plan. Whether enhancing multilingual AI capabilities or creating tools to lower barriers for developers, this grant aims to foster groundbreaking applications with social impact.