Augmentus raises USD 11 million to scale no-code robotics platform
Augmentus, a Singapore-based developer of no-code robotics systems, has secured USD 11 million in a Series A+ funding round to accelerate product deployment and expand its technology capabilities. The round was led by Woori Venture Partners, with participation from new investor EDBI and existing backers Sierra Ventures and Cocoon Capital.
Founded to address the complexity of traditional robot programming, Augmentus provides manufacturing firms, particularly those in high-mix production environments, with the tools to automate tasks like surface finishing and welding without the need for code. Its platform integrates industrial 3D scanning, path planning, and adaptive motion control, enabling rapid task setup and execution on factory floors.
The fresh capital will support commercial rollouts in key markets including the US, Germany, and Southeast Asia. It will also allow Augmentus to deepen collaborations with system integrators.
The company is concurrently developing a new class of “augmented robotics” designed to adapt to real-time variations in manufacturing settings. CEO Daryl Lim said the funding will help the company scale fulfillment while continuing to address technically challenging automation use cases such as surface finishing and material removal under high-variability conditions.
Coda to acquire Recharge, expanding global digital content footprint
Coda, a Singapore-based digital monetization platform, has agreed to acquire Amsterdam-based Recharge, a major player in Europe’s prepaid payments space. The acquisition brings together two regional leaders and significantly enhances Coda’s global reach in digital content services.
Coda partners with major gaming publishers including Riot Games and Electronic Arts, while Recharge operates popular prepaid storefronts like Startselect across Europe. By combining operations, Coda gains a wider inventory of gift cards, telecom products, and lifestyle services. Recharge, in turn, will benefit from Coda’s B2B infrastructure and direct links to digital content publishers.
The deal is positioned to strengthen Coda’s consumer-facing channels and deepen its engagement with content providers worldwide.
Origgin Capital launches SGD 30 million fund to scale university spinoffs
Origgin Capital, the investment arm of Origgin Ventures, has launched a second fund targeting SGD 30 million (USD 23.3 million) to back university spinoffs across Asia. The fund aims to support up to 50 early-stage deep tech startups in areas such as advanced engineering, medtech, infocommunication tech, and sustainability.
Using a co-creation model, Origgin partners with universities and researchers to spin off companies based on promising IP. Its alliances with Tusstar and Jinan Xianxing provide startups with access to industrial ecosystems and supply chains in China.
Geniebook pushes into hybrid learning with two acquisitions
Geniebook, a Singapore-based edtech firm, has acquired AfterSkool and Best Physics Tuition, per e27, signaling a move to blend artificial intelligence-driven online learning with physical education centers. The acquisitions are part of the company’s broader push into hybrid learning formats that align with evolving demands from students and parents.
Geniebook provides personalized digital worksheets, real-time support, and live classes. Founded in 2017, the company now operates seven physical centers in Singapore and plans to expand further. It serves students across Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and China, and is backed by East Ventures, Apricot Capital, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Brainfish secures USD 6.4 million to expand AI-powered customer support
Brainfish, an Australian startup offering tech-enabled customer support, has secured USD 6.4 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Prosus Ventures. Existing investors Surge (by Peak XV Partners) and Macdoch Ventures also joined the round.
Brainfish offers an AI platform that delivers real-time, context-aware support within digital products. Using computer vision, it identifies user friction and provides instant in-app assistance without requiring support tickets.
Founded in 2022, the company has clients ranging from early-stage startups to public companies. With the new funding, Brainfish plans to expand its US team and scale infrastructure to meet demand for embedded customer support solutions.
Fire AI raises funding to develop conversational analytics platform
Fire AI, a New Delhi-based startup building an AI-powered business intelligence platform, has raised an undisclosed sum in a pre-seed round led by Venture Catalysts. Angel investors Gaurav Khatri (Noise) and Amit Kumar Singh also participated.
The company’s platform aims to simplify the full analytics lifecycle—from ad hoc queries to predictive modeling—using conversational interfaces and automation. Fire AI intends to use the funds to grow its team, refine its product, and strengthen its position in India’s competitive analytics market.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Kun, a stablecoin payment and embedded finance platform, has raised over USD 50 million to date, with the latest Series A funding round significantly oversubscribed. BAI Capital and GSR Ventures returned as investors, alongside new backers including Eternium Global and an undisclosed Hong Kong-listed industrial company. The company will use the funds to advance its payment network and financial infrastructure. —36Kr
- Yanshan Technology, a micro LED chip developer, has raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in a pre-Series A funding round backed by SCGC, Ivy Capital, Moganshan Fund, and Lenovo Capital. Chuang House Capital acted as the financial advisor. The proceeds will support product development and mass production. —36Kr
- Link-Touch, a robotics force sensor startup, has raised nearly RMB 100 million in a Series B funding round. The investors include GF Xinde Investment, Fosun Capital, Hefei Innovation Investment, and Huacang Capital. The funding will go toward product R&D, overseas expansion, and talent acquisition. —36Kr
- China SmartData, an AI infrastructure provider, has secured RMB 200 million (USD 28 million) in a Series A+ funding round led by CDH Venture & Growth Capital and the Beijing Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund. Taiya Investment, Xiangcheng Financial Holdings, SCCI, and Merit Interactive also participated. —36Kr
- Westlake Intelligent Vision Technology, a developer of hyperspectral imaging systems, has raised over RMB 50 million (USD 7 million) in a pre-Series A funding round backed by Oriental Fortune Capital. The funds will be used to expand its product portfolio, production capacity, and market reach. —36Kr
- Yarbo, a robotics company focused on snow-clearing equipment, has secured over RMB 100 million in a Series B+ funding round. The backers include CAS Investment, CICC Capital, and Joyoung’s venture arm. Yarbo will use the funds for R&D, supply chain upgrades, and international expansion. —36Kr
- MetaInk, an electronic materials company, has closed a pre-Series A funding round worth an eight-figure RMB sum. Addor Capital was the sole investor. The proceeds will help strengthen the company’s working capital and drive customer acquisition. MetaInk is focused on high-end electronic paste materials used in resistors, capacitors, and RF components. —36Kr
- Fuzflo, the developer behind the Leapility platform, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in an angel financing round led by Qizhao Capital. The company is targeting the transformation of business expertise into agentic AI workflows, emphasizing customizable tooling for vertical industries like manufacturing, logistics, and retail. —36Kr
- SDrive, a smart suspension system provider, has raised a nine-figure RMB sum in Series A funding. The round was co-led by Senior and several industrial investors. Tongji University’s tech fund also joined. The capital will support the development of third-generation fully active suspension systems and establish a new production facility with an annual capacity of 500,000 sets. —36Kr
- TreatGut, a pioneer in gut microbiome therapies, has secured over RMB 100 million in strategic funding led by Kinghall Ventures. The company has spent nearly a decade developing microbiota transplantation treatments and aims to scale its commercialization efforts. —36Kr
- Sycsense Technology, a flexible sensor maker, has closed a pre-Series A funding round, raising an eight-figure RMB sum. The round was led by China Merchants Venture, with Ambrum Capital and Bojay Electronics joining. The capital will go toward product development and market expansion for its electronic skin and flexible sensors. —36Kr
Sxored, Shieldbase, Transcelestial, and more made recent headlines:
- Sxored, a Jakarta-based credit tech startup, raised an undisclosed amount from East Ventures.
- Shieldbase AI, a Singapore-based startup developing an enterprise AI operating system, secured new funding from GenAI Fund and First Move, with participation from Tenity and a group of angel investors.
- Transcelestial, a laser communication tech startup, raised a new round of investment co-led by NTT Finance and Paspalis Capital. Other investors include Golden Egg Ventures, In-Q-Tel, David Wilson (Tyr Ventures), Beyond Earth Technologies, and Non Public.
If there are any news or updates you’d like us to feature, get in touch with us at: hello@kr-asia.com.