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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

• A US appeals court rejected TikTok's emergency bid to block a law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok by Jan. 19.

• Binance CEO revealed that the search for a global headquarters continues, emphasizing tax laws and talent attraction as key selection factors.

• Indonesia unicorn eFishery's board has suspended co-founders Gibran Huzaifah and Chrisna Aditya amid an investigation into financial irregularities.

• Malaysia launched a national AI office to focus on policy-making, regulation, and strategic planning.

• Seedstars and Visa Foundation launched the Seed Inclusivity program, supporting 15 disability-focused ventures in Asia.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• India’s cloud kitchen company Rebel Foods closed a $210 million Series G round led by Temasek Holdings, valuing the company at $1.4 billion.

• Mumbai-based fintech startup Mintifi raised $180 million in Series E funding to expand into key sectors and enhance supply chain financing.

• Fleet Space Technologies secured $150 million in Series D, reaching an $800 million valuation to expand its satellite mapping platform ExoSphere.

• Longbridge Group raised over $100 million to launch Longbridge Securities Singapore, offering commission-free trading.

• GCL Perovskite has raised nearly $68 million in Series C1 funding to advance its perovskite-silicon module production line.

💰️ Notable Exits

• Metropolis Healthcare has acquired Core Diagnostics for $29.1 million, to enhance its cancer testing capabilities and expand its market presence.

• Valsoft Corporation has acquired Buildsoft to expand its capabilities and market presence in the global construction software sector.

• MPL has acquired a significant stake in CloudFeather Games to enhance its infrastructure and strengthen its skill-based gaming platform.

• Orbus Software has acquired Capsifi creating a comprehensive enterprise transformation platform with a Digital Twin of the Organisation focus.

• MRI Software has acquired Chennai-based iInterchange Systems to enhance its intermodal software solutions.

🏦 About Investors

• Indian investors Stride Ventures, Capria Ventures, and GrowX Ventures announced new $300 million, $100 million, and $47 million funds.

• Australia's GP stake investor Scarcity Partners has acquired a 20% stake in Singapore's January Capital.

• Amazon India pledged $120 million to startups in the consumer goods manufacturing sector through its Smbhav Venture Fund.

• Gobi Partners is raising $50 million for its second Pakistan-focused VC fund, Techxila Fund 2, targeting early-stage startups with up to $3 million tickets.

• Former HongShan partner Lu Xiaobo has launched his healthcare-focused RMB VC fund, leveraging his expertise in healthcare investments in China.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Rebel Foods

Rebel Foods, India's largest cloud kitchen company, has raised $210 million in a Series G funding round led by Temasek Holdings, valuing the company at $1.4 billion. The investment, which also saw participation from Evolvence, will support Rebel's expansion plans, aiming to grow its network from 450 kitchens in 75 cities to 800 kitchens in 200 cities by 2029. Founded in 2011 by Jaydeep Barman and Kallol Banerjee, Rebel Foods operates popular online restaurant brands like Oven Story and Mandarin Oak, and has fully embraced the cloud kitchen model since 2015.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Stride Ventures

Stride Ventures, a prominent Indian venture debt firm, has launched its largest fund to date with a target corpus of $300 million. This fund will support high-growth startups across multiple sectors, including fintech, agritech, and mobility. Founded in 2019 by Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Stride Ventures specializes in non-dilutive financing to help startups scale while preserving founders' ownership. The firm has surpassed $1 billion in commitments across over 150 portfolio companies, highlighting the growing role of alternative financing in India's startup ecosystem.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: UNICEF Venture Fund

Apply to the UNICEF Venture Fund's AI and Blockchain for Data and Trust program by December 23rd, 2024, and secure up to $100,000 in equity-free funding for your innovative startup. If you're developing cutting-edge technologies addressing misinformation, data integrity, or digital trust for children, this is your opportunity. UNICEF is specifically seeking early-stage, for-profit technology startups registered in UNICEF program countries with working prototypes in AI, machine learning, or blockchain. Women-led and young founders are especially encouraged to apply, with a focus on creating Open Source solutions that can radically improve children's digital experiences and safety.