Temasek’s Heliconia backs Sin Chew Woodpaq for regional logistics push
Sin Chew Woodpaq, a Singapore-based provider of specialized logistics solutions, has received an undisclosed investment from Heliconia Capital, a subsidiary of Temasek. Structured through holding company M3 SG, the investment will support Sin Chew’s expansion into regional markets and its push into engineering-led logistics for high-tech industries.
Founded in 1972, Sin Chew serves clients in the semiconductor, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The company plans to expand operations into Malaysia and Thailand, double its workforce, and open a 300,000-square-foot logistics hub in Singapore by 2026. The new facility will include contamination-controlled environments designed to stage and integrate semiconductor equipment.
The capital injection from Heliconia is expected to fuel both organic growth and M&A activity, particularly in areas like specialized packaging and equipment testing.
Supabase raises USD 200 million in Series D round, led by Accel
Supabase, an open-source backend platform, has raised USD 200 million in a Series D funding round led by Accel. The deal values the company at USD 2 billion. Other participants include Coatue, Y Combinator, Craft Ventures, Felicis, and angel investors such as Kevin Weil (OpenAI), Guillermo Rauch (Vercel), and Taylor Otwell (Laravel).
The funding will go toward supporting user growth, platform expansion, and hiring.
Often framed as an open-source alternative to Firebase, Supabase offers developers a plug-and-play backend, aiming to simplify app building without sacrificing control.
According to Fortune, Accel’s interest culminated in a rare in-person visit to co-founder and CEO Paul Copplestone’s home in Wanaka, New Zealand. The raise underscores a growing appetite among investors for developer-first infrastructure—especially as “vibe coding,” a movement that Supabase is increasingly associated with, continues to gain traction among both individual and enterprise users.
Syfe confirms acquisition of Selfwealth to enter Australian market
Syfe, a savings and investment platform focused on the Asia Pacific, has confirmed its acquisition of Selfwealth, one of Australia’s leading digital investment platforms, in an all-cash deal valued at AUD 65 million (USD 41.5 million). More than 88% of Selfwealth shareholders approved the transaction, which is expected to close by May 7.
The acquisition marks Syfe’s formal entry into the Australian market. The company plans to integrate its investment offerings, advisory services, and product development with Selfwealth’s brand recognition and local presence.
AnyMind buys Vietnam’s Vibula to expand live commerce
AnyMind Group, a brand enablement company, has acquired Vibula, a Vietnam-based agency known for its capabilities in social and live commerce. This is AnyMind’s first acquisition in Vietnam and its 11th overall, following its purchase of Japanese e-gifting software company AnyReach.
Founded in 2021, Vibula specializes in live streaming, influencer marketing, e-commerce management, and campaign analytics. The deal enables AnyMind to fold Vibula’s expertise into its hybrid live commerce model and expand offerings across Southeast Asia.
As part of the integration, Vibula will gain access to AnyMind’s proprietary AnyLive platform, giving clients the ability to operate round-the-clock sales channels via artificial intelligence-powered live streams.
Se’Indonesia lands Series A funding to grow dine-in footprint
Se’Indonesia, a quick-service F&B brand best known for its beef rice bowls, has raised Series A funding in a round led by Insignia Ventures Partners. The financial terms were not disclosed. The round includes participation from Argor Ventures, Saison Capital, and W Fund. Existing investors Kopital Ventures, Mulia Sky Capital, and Trihill Capital also joined the raise.
Founded in 2022, Se’Indonesia will use the capital to fund store expansion and ramp up operations. Following the opening of its first dine-in outlet in November 2024, the company now plans to reach a broader demographic, especially outside the Jakarta metropolitan area.
SquareX nets USD 20 million to harden browser security
SquareX, a Singapore-based cybersecurity startup, has netted USD 20 million in a Series A funding round led by SYN Ventures, with participation from returning investor Peak XV Partners. The funding will support the company’s growth and further development of its BDR (browser detection and response) platform.
SquareX offers a browser extension that turns any browser into a secure, enterprise-grade environment, removing the need for standalone enterprise browsers. The tool is designed to guard against threats such as phishing, malicious extensions, insider risks, and data leaks stemming from the use of generative AI tools, all within the native browser experience.
The capital will go toward accelerating enterprise adoption and enhancing product capabilities to tackle evolving browser-based threats.
Surfin brings in USD 26.5 million to scale inclusive fintech
Surfin Meta Digital Technologies, a Singapore-based provider of digital financial services, has secured new capital in an oversubscribed funding round, bringing the total raised to USD 26.5 million. New investors include Woori Venture Partners, Washington University in St. Louis, and Phillip Private Equity. This builds on the USD 12.5 million round led by Insignia Ventures Partners in October 2024.
The new funds will support Surfin’s geographic expansion and ongoing R&D into intelligent credit assessment tools.
“Surfin is at the forefront of a wave of companies driving equitable economic growth through data factories rather than physical ones. We’re proud to see that their mission of financial inclusion for emerging markets continues to attract global backing,” said Yinglan Tan, founding partner of Insignia Ventures Partners.
LenderLink banks USD 1.25 million to modernize Philippine credit data
LenderLink, a Singapore-based fintech company operating in the Philippines, has banked USD 1.25 million in a pre-seed funding round, according to e27. The round was co-led by Iterative and Kaya Founders, with participation from Founders Launchpad and Manila Business Angels.
Founded in 2024, LenderLink is developing a real-time credit bureau to improve lending accuracy and reduce non-performing loans. The company aims to lower borrowing costs and broaden financial access in a market currently constrained by outdated credit infrastructure.
The funds will go toward tech development and early-stage commercial expansion.
ABC Impact closes USD 600 million fund to deepen Asia investments
Impact investment firm ABC Impact has completed the final close of its second fund at over USD 600 million. Investors include Temasek, Temasek Trust, the Asian Development Bank, Mapletree Investments, and SeaTown Holdings, among other institutional and private backers.
The fund will invest in clean energy, inclusive finance, healthcare, education, and sustainable food systems across Asia. Its portfolio already includes companies like Aye Finance, Tekoma Energy, and DCDC Kidney Care.
The raise signals a growing alignment between private capital and development finance in addressing Asia’s social and environmental challenges. With its first fund closed in 2019, ABC Impact is now looking to extend its reach with commercially viable, measurable solutions.
LendMN secures USD 20 million to expand SME lending in Mongolia
LendMN, the Mongolia-based fintech arm of AND Global, has secured USD 20 million in debt financing from Lendable. The deal is said to be the largest of its kind for a fintech company in Mongolia. Delphos acted as the financial advisor.
Founded in 2017, LendMN delivers mobile-based financial services for underserved consumers. In 2024, it launched what it claims is Mongolia’s first fully digital, collateral-free financing product for small and medium enterprises. The firm has disbursed over USD 70 million in loans to date.
Proceeds from the latest round will help expand digital financial access for SMEs in Mongolia, where formal credit channels remain limited.
Temasek co-leads USD 186 million round for clean tech firm Electra
Electra, a clean technology company developing green steelmaking processes, has raised USD 186 million in a Series B funding round co-led by Temasek and Capricorn Investment Group. The raise brings Electra’s total funding to USD 214 million, with backing from Rio Tinto, Roy Hill, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Nucor.
Electra is pioneering a process that uses renewable energy to produce 99% pure iron, with an eye toward decarbonizing the global steel industry. The fresh capital will fund the construction of a demonstration plant in Colorado, slated to begin operations this year. This facility will act as a test site ahead of commercial-scale production planned for later this decade.
KiranaPro adds Arjun Vaidya as investor and mentor
KiranaPro, a quick commerce startup catering to India’s kirana stores, has received an undisclosed investment from Arjun Vaidya, co-founder of V3 Ventures.
Launched in 2024, KiranaPro aims to modernize the operations of India’s neighborhood stores through rapid delivery and ad-based monetization. Vaidya will also serve as a mentor, guiding the company’s next phase with a focus on D2C partnerships and platform innovation.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Panex WD International, a supply chain services provider, has raised an eight-figure USD sum in a Series C funding round led by Vision Knight Capital. Shenqi Capital, Enlight Growth Partners, and Kam Luen Securities also joined, with existing backers Shunwei Capital and Puhua Capital increasing their stakes. Lighthouse Capital served as financial advisor. Panex plans to strengthen its emerging markets presence and upgrade operations. —36Kr
- AtomForm, a 3D printing startup, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum in an angel funding round led by Empyrean Venture. The funds will support product R&D, brand development, team growth, and market expansion. —36Kr
- Sinchin New Material, a manufacturer of electronic and photovoltaic materials, has raised RMB 50 million (USD 7 million) in a Series B+ funding round. Zhejiang Venture Capital Group led the deal, with participation from ZJKF Capital Management. The company will ramp up production of advanced materials, including MLCC (multi-layer ceramic capacitor) electrode powders. —36Kr
Eratani, Groundup.ai, A Cabin Company, and more made recent headlines:
- Eratani, a Jakarta-based agriculture technology startup, raised USD 6.2 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Clay Capital, with participation from TNB Aura, SBI Ven Capital, AgFunder, Genting Ventures, and IIX.
- Groundup.ai, an industrial AI company, raised USD 4.25 million in a Series A funding round led by Tin Men Capital, with participation from Wavemaker Ventures and Seeds Capital. The new funds will support product development and global expansion.
- A Cabin Company, a startup based in Japan, closed an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round backed by Seveno Capital.
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