Dear reader,

This week was full of a diverse range of news.

On the funding front, Amartha secured a US$17.5 million funding round, Buyandship received US$16 million, and Homa2u got US$1.5 million. These companies operate in different sectors, from fintech to logistics to interior design. Carro also secured a US$55 million loan from HSBC to support its fintech arm.

In terms of human resources, Philippe Auberger, former Lazada Logistics Indonesia CEO, has joined SiCepat, while SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son is preparing for his next big move.

As for features, we showcased an interview with Zscaler from our recent participation at Zenith Live 2024 and highlighted profiles of BuyMed and Transcelestial.

Anisa,
Editor.

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NEWS

MSD launches IDEA Studios to fund healthcare innovation in Asia, Europe
MSD, through its Global Health Innovation Fund, plans to invest US$38 million across both regions over the next three years

Amartha secures US$17.5M from Accion to empower women-led MSMEs
Amartha uses tech and partnerships to support women-led micro and SMEs, merchants, institutional banking, retail investors, and startups in the grassroots economy

Hong Kong based Buyandship secures US$16M funding led by Altara Ventures
Buyandship plans to enhance the user journey, expand into Southeast Asian markets, and further automate operations

SEA’s tech M&A boom cools off, more corrections on the horizon
According to DealStreetAsia, following peak activity in 2022, SEA witnessed a notable decline in M&As of tech companies in 2023

Malaysian interior design marketplace builds Pre-Series A round up to US$1.5M
Homa2u has repurposed US$4.2 million worth of excess inventories in over 8,000 homes, Tech In Asia writes

Vietnamese unicorn VNG eyes listing on local exchange HoSE
This information was secured by DealStreetAsia from the company’s annual shareholders on Friday

US VC General Catalyst acquires Indian peer Venture Highway
This acquisition confirms a report that DealStreetAsia made in January

Former Lazada Logistics Indonesia CEO joins SiCepat
Philippe Auberger joins the Indonesian logistics firm as its COO, according to Tech In Asia.

Carro secures US$55M loan from HSBC to fund fintech arm
The loan was meant to support the company’s fintech arm Genie Financial Services, DealStreetAsia writes

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son set for ‘next big move’: report
Amid a deeper focus on AI, SoftBank is aiming to boost its renewable energy ventures to power its AI initiatives, especially in the US, Son said.

Lightspeed leads US$10M round in South Korean fintech startup Travel Wallet
Travel Wallet’s flagship product is Travel Pay, a prepaid card that lets users exchange funds and make payments in 46 different currencies.

Lazada squashes rumors of Thailand exit
The comments come following a Bangkok Post report on Alibaba’s alleged talks with Charoen Pokphand and Central Group.

FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

Phishing remains top cybersecurity concern, but AI will drive it to next level: Zscaler CSO Deepen Desai
To tackle this problem, Zscaler CSO Deepen Desai spoke about how to use AI to fight against AI

How these trio grew BuyMed into a B2B healthtech brand with a reach in 12K+ townships in Vietnam
BuyMed, which recently raised US$51.5M in Series B funding, says it processes over 5K orders daily and reaches 12K+ townships across Vietnam

Amidst funding slowdown, these 5 Vietnamese tech startups inspire hope for the rest of the year
Categories such as e-commerce, fintech, and related services remain the most popular verticals for investors in Vietnam

‘To beam high-speed internet from Space’: Transcelestial CEO on Axiom Space collaboration
Transcelestial and Axiom Space team up to use lasers to beam high-speed internet from space, creating orbiting data centers

FROM THE CONTRIBUTORS

The economy of love: Are dating apps doomed?
The ease of choice offered by dating apps reduces the chances of meeting someone who you really click with in real life

Navigating the climate tech landscape in Germany: Opportunities and pathways
Germany’s climate tech landscape offers opportunities for innovation and growth, backed by strong government support and a thriving ecosystem

Skills for the gig age: Empowering workers in Malaysia for the future of work
The gig economy can prove to be the solution to reduce the stagnant unemployment rate that Malaysia has been plagued by

The unsung hero: Why every CEO needs a strong second-in-command
The second-in-command role is a strategic imperative for modern organizations in a complex, competitive business environment

Leveraging technology to create uniquely human experiences
Communication and marketing in the age of automation: Strategies for a seamless people-machine partnership

Can Singapore unlock Gen Z’s spending power with unified commerce?
Singapore’s retail sector can revitalize by adopting unified commerce, capitalizing on Gen Z’s significant global spending power

AI, personalization, and 5 marketing activities you should be doing
Here are five key marketing activities that businesses should be doing and the AI tools to get the most mileage

The metaverse in Asia: Opportunities for new entrepreneurs
The metaverse is set to redefine how we interact, work, and engage with digital content, and Asia is poised to lead this transformation

PR 101 for tech startups: Tips for guaranteed media coverage
Struggling to get the word out about your tech startup? Learn how to do your own PR and create buzz for your business on a budget

FROM THE ARCHIVES

‘Young, tech-savvy population contributes to cryptocurrency growth in Vietnam’
Cryptocurrencies have found more takers in Vietnam because nearly 70% of adults lack access to formal financial services, says Nicegram CPO

All hands on deck: How Iron Sail strengthens blockchain gaming ecosystem through collaboration
Launched in October 2021, Iron Sail results from a partnership between blockchain-based game hub Whydah and seven local gaming studios

Why is The Parentinc aggressively venturing into offline spaces?
The Parentinc doesn’t rule out an IPO within the next three years, but at this point, it brings the retail tech footprint into other markets in SEA

The journey of Alternō: A tale of innovation, sustainability, and friendship
Alternō envisions a world where sustainable energy is accessible and affordable for all, heralding a new era of eco-conscious living

How Vietnam’s e-commerce firm Tiki manages to keep employee churn rate healthy
Chief People Officer Sakshi Jawa discusses the various HR challenges faced by Tiki, which employs nearly 3,000 people across Vietnam

From Amazon to AI: How GenAI Fund fuels innovation in SEA through a unique model
GenAI Fund is a US$10M AI-focused fund based in Vietnam that aims to invest between US$50,000 and US$1M per startup

‘We want to treat our customers like educated LPs of a fund’…