BillEase secures Series C funding led by TPG’s The Rise Fund
BillEase, an app-based consumer finance platform in the Philippines, has attracted a significant investment from TPG’s The Rise Fund, which is leading its Series C equity funding round.
The Rise Fund, known for backing mission-driven companies, is joined by Burda Principal Investments, an existing investor.
This round marks a critical moment for BillEase as it looks to expand its product offerings and reach millions more Filipinos, particularly in the underserved and underbanked segments.
AC Ventures joins Oatside’s ongoing Series B round
Singapore-based Oatside, a rising star in the alternative milk market, has secured additional investment from AC Ventures in its ongoing Series B funding round, according to DealStreetAsia. This round, which could total up to SGD 100 million (USD 76.4 million), already includes heavyweights like Temasek, Granite Asia, and TR Capital.
The funds will fuel Oatside’s expansion across the Asia Pacific, where its oat milk products have gained popularity. With its sights set on scaling operations and deepening market penetration, Oatside is well on its way to becoming a household name in the region.
Shieldbase raises seed funding to launch AI platform for enterprises
Shieldbase, a Southeast Asian startup, has raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Tenity and angel investors to accelerate the development of its artificial intelligence platform.
Shieldbase aims to help enterprises transition into AI-first organizations. Its platform is said to automate knowledge retrieval, generation, and workflows, integrating securely with existing systems to ensure data privacy.
Already gaining traction across sectors like real estate, finance, and healthcare, Shieldbase is positioning itself as a key enabler for businesses looking to leverage AI without the usual risks.
Kenanga Investment Bank leads Series B investment in Helicap
Kenanga Investment Bank, Malaysia’s independent investment powerhouse, has taken an 8% stake in Singaporean fintech firm Helicap as part of its Series B funding round.
This investment positions Kenanga as the lead institutional investor in Helicap, a company that’s making waves in Southeast Asia’s alternative lending space. By integrating Helicap’s proprietary credit analytics engine into its operations, Kenanga aims to enhance transparency, risk monitoring, and data-driven insights within its lending and investment banking divisions.
This move is part of Kenanga’s broader digitalization strategy, following investments in fintech companies like Rakuten and CapBay.
Jebsen & Jessen Group acquires Mongolia’s MSM Group
Jebsen & Jessen Group, a diversified industrial conglomerate headquartered in Singapore, has expanded its footprint into Mongolia by acquiring MSM Group, a leading local corporation.
Established in 1998, MSM Group operates across multiple industries, including industrial equipment, chemicals, and automotive distribution, and has built a strong market presence as a distributor for international brands.
This acquisition marks Jebsen & Jessen’s entry into the Mongolian market, further expanding its presence beyond Southeast Asia. The acquisition will allow Jebsen & Jessen to leverage synergies across its industrial and distribution capabilities while maintaining MSM Group’s established operations and management team.
Vistra acquires Hong Kong-based Sertus
Vistra, an enterprise service provider, has acquired Hong Kong-based Sertus to expand its business across key jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands.
This acquisition will strengthen Vistra’s ability to provide incorporation services and corporate solutions to its clients, particularly in markets where both companies have a strong presence. By integrating Sertus into its operations, Vistra will enhance its scale and reach, offering clients a broader range of services to support their global expansion.
While Sertus now operates under the Vistra umbrella, no immediate changes for clients are expected, ensuring continuity in service delivery as the businesses are integrated.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Leaderna, a Chengdu-based company focused on oligonucleotide-related technology innovation and new drug development, has raised nearly RMB 100 million in a new funding round. The round was led by Hygeia Capital, with participation from Casstar, Chengdu Biocity Jingchuang, Huabo Yiliao Qixie, Juntian Chuangtou, Dehou Investment, and Cao Jiaming. The company plans to use the funds to advance its small nucleic acid drug pipeline into clinical stages, expand its preclinical pipeline, and grow its talent team. —36Kr
- Xinwanxing Carbon Fiber Composites, a composite materials developer and manufacturer from Sichuan, has completed a nearly RMB 1 billion equity financing round. The investment was made by Eastern Bell Capital and Goldstone Investment. Founded in 2009, the company focuses on serving the aerospace manufacturing industry, and this funding will accelerate its expansion in the production of aviation composite materials and components. —36Kr
- Filmtec Functional Materials, a Shanghai-based developer and manufacturer of optical-grade functional films, has completed an angel funding round led by Shanghai Tonknet. The funds will be used to enhance its production capabilities and expand its equipment inventory. —36Kr
- Hyproof, a Shanghai-based developer of fluorine-containing new materials and nano-microporous membranes for hydrogen energy applications, has raised over RMB 100 million in a Series B funding round. The round was co-led by Fortescue and GL Ventures. The company plans to use the funds for strategic expansion, including establishing a perfluorosulfonic acid resin production line with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons, creating an anion exchange membrane (AEM) production line, and expanding its existing ion exchange membrane production capacity. —36Kr
- Geyuan New Materials, a supplier of battery silicon-carbon anode materials, has raised tens of millions of RMB in a pre-Series A funding round from new investor Silicon Paradise and existing investor KylinHall Partners. This follows an earlier round within six months, bringing the total funding to nearly RMB 100 million. —36Kr
- Ulso, a developer and manufacturer of piezoelectric materials and ultrasonic transducers, has completed a new funding round led by The Linhui Fund. —36Kr
- Zerog, a Hefei-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, has raised nearly RMB 100 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Hefei Hi-tech VC, with participation from the HKUST Silicon Valley Guidance Fund, Guohua Investment, Yunsheng Capital, and Chifortune Venture Capital. —36Kr
Didi, Validus, LaLa, and more led yesterday’s headlines:
- Didi, China’s ride-hailing giant, traded its smart cockpit division for a 16.46% stake in AutoAi. The deal valued Didi’s assets at around RMB 500 million (USD 70.2 million), with Didi committing a total of RMB 670 million (USD 94.1 million).
- Validus, a Singapore-based digital lender serving small and medium enterprises, secured a USD 50 million debt facility from HSBC under the ASEAN Growth Fund strategy. The funds will be directed through its Indonesian arm, Batumbu.
- LaLa, a biotechnology startup specializing in mushroom cultivation, has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from Japan-based investor Genesia Ventures.
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