Chocolate Finance raises USD 15 million to support Hong Kong entry and product expansion
Chocolate Finance, a Singapore-based fintech company offering cash management and payment solutions, has raised USD 15 million in a Series A+ funding round. The round was led by Nikko Asset Management, with participation from returning investors Peak XV Partners, Prosus, Saison Capital, and founder Walter de Oude.
Launched in July 2024, Chocolate Finance provides a platform that allows users to earn daily returns on idle cash in SGD and USD. The service includes a linked Visa card and flexible, no-lock-in features. The company said it manages nearly SGD 900 million (USD 693.5 million) in assets and has delivered over SGD 22 million (USD 17 million) in returns to date.
Proceeds from the funding will support Chocolate Finance’s regional expansion, starting with a newly approved license in Hong Kong, and to accelerate product development as the company moves toward a full-service digital banking offering.
Gobi Partners backs NanoSkunkWorkX to scale graphene-enabled industrial tech
NanoSkunkWorkX (nSWX), a Malaysian deep tech startup, has received an undisclosed investment from Gobi Partners through the Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund.
The capital will support nSWX’s development of an electrochemical platform that integrates graphene into industrial materials to improve thermal, electrical, and catalytic performance across various sectors such as semiconductors.
The startup is presently working with national research institutes and global partners on solutions including biosensor diagnostics and modular hydrogen systems. The investment supports Malaysia’s strategy to build sovereign capabilities in advanced manufacturing and aligns with GDIV’s mission to back globally competitive, homegrown innovation.
Hydroleap raises USD 4.75 million to scale across data centers and industrial clients
Hydroleap, a water tech company based in Singapore, has raised USD 4.75 million in a new funding round led by EDBI (via SG Growth Capital), with participation from Enterprise Singapore, Antares Ventures, and Woh Hup. This brings the company’s total funding to nearly USD 12 million.
Hydroleap develops electrochemical water treatment systems that eliminate the use of chemicals. Its technology enables industrial clients to recycle wastewater and reduce energy consumption by up to 10%.
The funding will support the company’s expansion across hyperscale data centers and sectors such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and agriculture in the Asia Pacific region. Hydroleap also plans to grow its presence through local hiring and targeted deployment.
Recent deals completed in China:
- RD Technologies, a Hong Kong-based fintech group, has raised approximately USD 40 million in a Series A2 funding round. Investors include both returning and new backers such as ZA Global, China Harbour, Bright Venture, and Hivemind Capital. Other participants were HSG, Eternal Digital, CMSC Partners, and Guotai Junan International Private Equity Fund. Known for its work in stablecoin infrastructure, RD Technologies plans to expand its enterprise-grade digital finance offerings in alignment with Hong Kong’s evolving regulatory framework.
- Tactus Dynamics, a tactile sensing technology company, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum across two pre-Series A funding rounds. The pre-Series A round was led by Shangshi Fund, with participation from Tsinghua Innovation Ventures. The pre-Series A+ round was led by RY Capital Management, the private equity arm of GF Fund Management. Tsinghua Innovation Ventures also led the company’s angel round in late 2023, joined by the Global Healthcare Innovation Center and Beijing Medical Robotics Industry Innovation Center. —36Kr
- Zerith, a robotics company registered in Hefei, has raised a nine-figure RMB amount across two angel plus rounds. The investors include Baohe Venture Capital, Cowin Capital, Leaguer, Waterwood Investment, Mizuho Leaguer Investment, and Ralph Investment Management. The funds will support product development, manufacturing, and ecosystem building. —36Kr
- Qingmei, a smart dishwasher manufacturer, has raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in its Series B funding round. Shin Kong Capital and GoldenHome co-led the round, with follow-on investment from Xiaomi. Founded in 2019, the company plans to use the funds to expand its factory capacity to one million units, upgrade equipment, and advance R&D. —36Kr
- Realmagic, a semiconductor firm registered in Shenzhen, has raised a multimillion-RMB investment at pre-Series A+ level from Addor Capital and Hechuang Capital, with Leap Capital as financial advisor. This marks the company’s third financing round in a year, bringing total annual funding to nearly RMB 100 million. The funds will support product testing and R&D. —36Kr
- Xunlu AI, an enterprise artificial intelligence company focused on sales and customer service automation solutions, has closed a multimillion-RMB Series A+ funding round co-led by Kunyan Capital and IDG. Millennium Capital Partners and Yuanhe served as advisors. Founded in 2021, the company will use the funds to grow its product suite and expand its commercial presence. —36Kr
- Tangshangtang, a steamed bun chain, has raised several million RMB in a pre-Series A funding round from Hefei Construction Investment and Holding as well as returning investor Tomato Capital. The capital will be used for supply chain improvements and team expansion. —36Kr
- PixelBloom, a generative AI company, has completed its Series B3 funding round with backing from E-Town Capital, CAS Investment Management, Innoangel Fund, Shuimu Tsinghua Alumni Seed Fund, and Toread founder Sheng Faqiang. The funds will support the international rollout of its AI-powered presentation platform AiPPT and the development of new AI assistant tools. —36Kr
Respiree, HeyMax, Zeron, and more made recent headlines:
- Respiree, a health tech company founded in Singapore, raised USD 11.6 million in a Series A funding round co-led by We Venture Capital and ClavystBio. Other participants include Adaptive Capital Partners, Mayo Clinic’s Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Greenwillow Capital Management, Seeds Capital, and She1K.
- HeyMax, a Singapore-based loyalty and travel rewards startup, acquired Krip, a Hong Kong fintech platform specializing in credit card benefits and loyalty deals. The financial terms were not disclosed.
- Zeron, an electric heavy truck manufacturer, raised RMB 500 million (USD 70 million) in a Series A funding round co-led by Momenta, Xinghang Venture Capital, and Cherish Capital. Other backers include Guofa Wenxin, Loudong Industrial Fund, Deying Capital, Xinjing Fuying, Vision Plus Capital, Caitong Capital, Ondine Capital, and existing shareholder Skyview Fund.
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