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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

• Deepseek has taken the tech world by storm with two LLMs that rival leading American players’ models in performance, but are built at a fraction of the cost.

• US President Donald Trump announced working with several parties including Microsoft and Oracle for a potential acquisition of TikTok.

• Quick commerce startup Zepto has relocated its headquarters from Singapore to India ahead of its anticipated IPO.

• Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba is set to meet Sam Altman and Masayoshi Son on Feb 3 as announced by the Japanese government.

• Fintech unicorn Cred became the first platform to offer access to the country's central bank digital currency.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• IPO-bound e-commerce platform Meesho has raised $250-270 million in additional funding from new investors bringing the total round to $550 million.

• Nali New Materials secured $140 million in a Series A round led by Temasek Holdings with the participation of seven other investors including Glory Ventures.

• Edtech startup Leap closed a $65 million Series E round to expand its AI-driven services, global reach, and offerings for students studying abroad.

• Indian seafood startup Captain Fresh raised $28.84 million in pre-IPO funding led by Prosus Ventures, Accel, and Tiger Global.

• Qsic secured $25 million in Series B funding led by Hedosophia to expand its AI-powered in-store audio platform for retail media.

💰️ Notable Exits

• WeWork India has filed its draft red herring prospectus with SEBI to raise funds through an IPO, offering up to 40.37 million equity shares.

• Geotechnology company MapmyIndia acquired a 9.37% stake in AI startup SimDaas Autonomy for approximately $350,000.

• JuanTax and Jaz Philippines merged to offer SMEs in the Philippines a software combining payments, accounting, reporting, and tax compliance.

• Flipkart-backed Shadowfax acquired tech logistics firm CriticaLog to enhance capabilities in healthcare, automotive, and IT supply chains.

• Amber Electric acquired Charge HQ to enhance its EV smart charging by optimizing rooftop solar usage and grid conditions.

🏦 About Investors

• India unveiled a new $1.15 billion Fund of Funds for startups alongside regulatory reforms, nuclear energy initiatives and tax benefits to boost tech innovation.

• Singapore-based Shift4Good has raised $230 million for an impact fund focused on decarbonising the transport industry.

• Icehouse Ventures has closed its second growth fund at $68.48 million to support up to 20 Kiwi tech scaleups.

• Lever VC’s Fund II has secured $50 million for investments in early-stage global food and agritech startups.

• LaunchVic is offering grants of up to $185,000 to venture capital funds and angel groups looking to establish in Victoria and support local startups.

🤝 Diversity Spotlight

Meet the trailblazing women reshaping New Zealand’s venture capital landscape. These female VC leaders are not just investors—they are catalysts for innovation, championing diversity and driving impactful change across the startup ecosystem. Explore the full article to discover how their leadership, strategic investments, and commitment to inclusivity are fueling the growth of groundbreaking startups and redefining the future of entrepreneurship in New Zealand.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Meesho

Meesho, an Indian e-commerce platform founded in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, has raised $550 million in a funding round, which includes an additional $250-270 million from investors like Tiger Global, Think Investments, and Mars Growth Capital. The funding, which values the company at $3.9-4 billion, comes ahead of its planned IPO in India, with a potential listing in 2026. Initially launched as Fashnear Technologies and pivoted to a social commerce platform, Meesho enables resellers to sell products through social media channels like WhatsApp and Facebook. The company has gained significant traction in tier 4+ cities, reaching 175 million annual transacting users in 2024, and is now working on a reverse merger with its US parent, shifting its base to India to optimize tax efficiency as it continues to grow in a competitive e-commerce market.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Shift4Good

Shift4Good, a Singapore and Paris-based impact investment fund founded in 2021 by Yann Marteil, Matthieu de Chanville, Sébastien Guillaud, and Thierry de Panafieu, has successfully closed its first fund at $230 million, exceeding its fundraising target. The fund, launched to decarbonize the transportation sector, focuses on Series A and B investments in startups across rail, road, air, and maritime sectors, with ticket sizes ranging from $4.1 million to $20.54 million. Backed by major investors such as Renault Group, BNP Paribas, and the European Investment Fund, Shift4Good has already invested in 13 companies across Europe and Southeast Asia, supporting innovative solutions in fleet electrification, micromobility, hydrogen technologies, and battery circularity. The fund aims to expand its portfolio to 25-30 companies, helping drive sustainability in transportation while tackling the global climate crisis.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: Nordic Open Innovation Challenge 2024

Apply to the Nordic Open Innovation Challenge 2024 by February 17, 2025, and collaborate with leading Nordic corporations to drive innovation in quality control and sustainability. Open to startups and SMEs, this challenge offers over $35,000 in grants and funding support, mentorship, and co-development opportunities. Shortlisted participants will engage with industry leaders and gain access to state-of-the-art facilities to refine their solutions. Don’t miss your chance to contribute to building a more sustainable future. Submit your proposal today!