Hi everyone. Taro here.

As Christmas fast approaches and the usual end-of-year slowdown begins, it is a chance to catch our breath and look back on a hectic year, which has also gone by blindingly fast.

One word that has been used frequently in 2022 has been “uncertain” due to multiple different factors, planned or unplanned. What will 2023 look like? Further uncertainty or some return of normality? Will the price of pizza go back down? Regardless it is somewhat exciting to see what will come in and rock the boat, hopefully with no repeat of FTX, a situation that gets stranger and more horrifying with new details being uncovered daily.

Open Run

This week we look at interesting startups that are in the e-sports scene.

NEXPLAY – Originally started as an app, the Manila-headquartered startup now manages professional teams and managed to become profitable in its third year.

Skibre – This startup is focused on mobile casual gaming, with its esports platform hosting tournaments for competitive mobile gamers.

EVOS Esports – Based in Jakarta, it runs a number of professional teams across games such as League of Legends, PUBG Mobile, Arena of Valor, and Free Fire.

Ampverse – The Singapore-based startup raised a USD 12m series round earlier this year. It manages a range of areas such as esports teams, merchandise, and gaming influencer talent management.

Infofed – This Thai startup runs tournaments, an academy for aspiring gamers to further develop their skills, and an agency to manage talents.

Nothing But Net

Recent Startup Wins

  • Filipino sustainability startup Humble closed a USD 750k seed round led by Seedstars International Ventures.
  • Vietnamese Rootopia closed a USD 1m pre-seed round with ThinkZone Ventures, Genesia, and BK Fund taking part.
  • Accelerating Asia, a Singapore-based startup accelerator announced investments in 10 startups from the seventh cohort. The startups are from nine countries across Asia. The demo day will be held in March 2023 and registration for attendance is already open.

Pick & Roll

Interesting Drops From the Week

  • OCBC is looking to develop tech to utilize the blockchain and is looking for Web3 talent to help its push.
  • Singapore will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Week next year, organized by the International Olympic Committee. [via Straits Times]
  • Mercedes is looking to add a yearly USD 1,200 subscription for drivers to get better acceleration. What next – pay for seats and windows? [via The Verge]
  • A bowl of insects with your beer? This is starting to become increasingly feasible with edible insects becoming a viable source of protein with reduced farmland usage. [via BBC]

If you are a startup that is raising funds, or have an interesting story or lead for us to feature in this newsletter, please fill out this form.