Hello there,

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

• China's central bank has urged faster loan approvals for tech firms to support their growth and innovation, aiming to boost the economy.

• Japan is investing $9.9 billion in semiconductors and AI, while South Korea is allocating $10.2 billion by 2025 to lead in chip production.

• Australia has passed groundbreaking legislation that bans children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

• ByteDance is suing an ex-intern for allegedly sabotaging its AI project by stealing confidential data and causing harm to its business.

• Figma has filed lawsuits against its Singaporean rival Motiff, accusing the startup of copying its business, claims Motiff denies as unfounded.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Zomato has raised $1 billion in a funding round to fuel its growth and expand services in food delivery, technology, and online restaurant discovery.

• Partior closed $80 million in Series B funding after adding Deutsche Bank to the round to expand its blockchain-real-time clearing and settlement platform.

• Chinese biotech Allink Biotherapeutics has raised $42 million in Series A funding led by Lanchi Ventures to advance clinical studies of its treatments.

• Safewill raised $17 million in Series B funding led by King River Capital aiming to expand into estate administration and other future services.

• Japanese fintech startup Habitto secured $11.7 million in Series A funding led by QED Investors and DG Daiwa Ventures to expand its banking platform.

💰️ Notable Exits

• MUFG has acquired Japan's leading robo-advisor WealthNavi for $664 million to strengthen its digital wealth management services.

• NODWIN Gaming acquired Trinity Gaming for $2.8 million in a cash and stock deal to expand its creator service portfolio into emerging markets.

• Civica has acquired Daymap and Melbourne-based Loop Software to strengthen its postion as global leader in public sector software.

• NTT DATA has agreed to acquire Niveus Solutions to enhance its cloud capabilities and expand industry-specific solutions.

• 17LIVE Group acquired Japanese entertainment startup mikai Inc., to enhance its virtual IP and V-liver businesses.

🏦 About Investors

• China International Capital Corp has launched its second fund-of-funds to pool $1.4 billion for investments in China's emerging tech innovations.

• Stellaris Venture Partners closed a $300 million third fund to back early-stage Indian startups in tech and tech-enabled sectors.

• Hostplus has committed an additional $81.51 million to the IP Group Hostplus Innovation Fund, raising its total investment to $283.67 million.

• Ex-Peak XV managing director Piyush Gupta launched Kenro Capital to focus on secondary transactions in India and Southeast Asia.

• Gobi Partners has partnered with Cross Capital to foster Japanese investment in Southeast Asian startups.

📋️ Curated Lists

Dive into the vibrant world of Malaysia's startup ecosystem, where the most active VC firms are driving innovation and growth. From Gobi Partners' extensive portfolio to Nexea Venture Capital's strategic exits, these firms empower startups across diverse sectors like technology, healthcare, and consumer services. Delve into the full article to uncover the leading firms, their investment milestones, and the standout portfolio companies transforming industries.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Allink Biotherapeutics

Allink Biotherapeutics, a Shanghai-based biotech innovator specializing in bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates, has secured $42 million in a Series A funding round led by Lanchi Ventures, with support from Yuanbio Venture Capital, Legend Capital, and others. Founded in 2023 by Hui Feng, AllinkBio has rapidly advanced its lead candidates, ALK201 and ALK202, into global Phase I/II clinical trials targeting oncology and immunology diseases. The funds will drive clinical development, expand its proprietary technology platforms, enrich its pipeline, and support global growth, positioning the company as a leader in addressing critical unmet medical needs.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Stellaris

Stellaris Venture Partners, an Indian venture capital firm, has closed its third fund with a total of $300 million. The fund will focus on investing in early-stage startups in technology and tech-enabled sectors in India. Stellaris was founded by Rahul Chandra, Vineet Bansal, and Sandeep Singhal. Since its inception, the firm has made investments in 44 startups through its first two funds, with 60% of these investments targeting early-stage companies. Notable investments include Mamaearth, which recently went public, and Whatfix, a digital adoption platform that raised $125 million in its Series E round.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Open Call by Pivotal: Action for Women’s Health

Apply for the Action for Women's Health open call and secure funding to enhance women's mental and physical health globally. With a total fund of $250 million, selected organizations will receive flexible funding ranging from $1 million to $5 million. This initiative is designed for organizations focused on serving women and improving health outcomes while centering equity in their approach. To participate, complete the Organizational Readiness Tool and familiarize yourself with the Open Call Rules. Interested organizations must register to apply before December 3, 2024. Complete applications are due before January 10, 2025.