Estie raises JPY 2.8 billion to tackle Japan’s real estate digital divide
Japan’s commercial real estate market might be massive, but it’s an enigma to most foreign investors. Enter Estie (stylized as “estie”), a Tokyo-based prop tech startup that just bagged JPY 2.8 billion (USD 19 million) in a Series B funding round. The goal? Fix the transparency gap that has been keeping international capital at bay.
The round was anchored by heavy hitters Vertex Growth and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ), with repeat support from Globis Capital Partners, University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC), and Global Brain.
Since its launch in 2018, Estie has been building digital solutions to modernize Japan’s notoriously opaque real estate market. The fresh capital will fuel a multi-pronged strategy—integrating AI with data infrastructure, accelerating product offerings, and making a serious play in Southeast Asia, starting with Singapore.
With this deal, Estie aims to leverage Vertex Growth’s deep ties across the region to build partnerships and expand its reach. “The confidence placed in us by two leading funds, from Japan and Singapore, is a testament to our growth and shared vision of building a digital infrastructure for the real estate industry,” said Ei Hirai, founder and CEO of Estie.
With Japan’s real estate market poised for a digital overhaul, Estie is placing its bets on being the bridge between local assets and global capital.
Meridian Innovation secures USD 12.5 million
Thermal imaging used to be a pricey game, reserved for military and industrial bigwigs. Meridian Innovation is changing all that with its low-cost CMOS-based sensors, and investors are taking notice.
The Singapore-headquartered startup just raised USD 12.5 million in a new funding round, pushing its total investment to over USD 30 million. The backers include early investor Seeds Capital, while Moveon, TCVC, and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) invested in Meridian for the first time.
Meridian’s patented technology delivers high-performance thermal imaging at a fraction of the traditional cost, making it accessible for a range of consumer and commercial applications. With this funding, Meridian plans to scale production, accelerate product development, and launch its second-generation sensor, a higher-resolution 160×120 model, by the end of 2024.
Ouch secures MYR 5 million to simplify insurance for Malaysians
Insurance doesn’t have to be a headache.
That’s the premise behind Ouch (stylized as “Ouch!”), an insurtech startup operating out of Malaysia that just locked down MYR 5 million (USD 1.2 million) in strategic funding from PPB Ventures, according to e27. The funds will be used to boost market share, enhance its tech infrastructure, and push product innovation to make insurance more accessible for everyday Malaysians.
Founded in 2019, Ouch’s platform is said to streamline everything from policy purchasing to claims—all through a user-friendly app. But the startup isn’t stopping there. It’s also deepening its reach into Shariah-compliant insurance (takaful), aiming to bridge critical protection gaps for young families.
The new funds come at a pivotal moment as Ouch navigates Malaysia’s regulatory waters. The company recently secured a one-year extension to operate under Bank Negara Malaysia’s “Regulatory Sandbox” and is now working to obtain a digital insurance and takaful operator (DITO) license.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF trims its Nintendo stake—but it’s still in the game
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been on a spending spree in the gaming world, snapping up stakes in big names like Nintendo, Capcom, and Nexon. But now, PIF is pulling back—just a little. Between August and October, the sovereign wealth fund sold 17.3 million shares of Nintendo, trimming its stake from 8.58% to 7.54%, according to Bloomberg. This comes just days after PIF’s subsidiary Savvy Games Group hinted it might increase its Nintendo holdings.
Despite the selloff, PIF remains one of Nintendo’s largest shareholders and shows no signs of backing down from its broader gaming ambitions. The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy and turn it into a gaming and entertainment hub.
With around USD 760 billion in assets under management, PIF is still holding a substantial position in Nintendo, and its interest in the gaming sector appears far from over.
Community pub brand Tiaohai secures angel funding
Tiaohai, a Chinese community pub brand, has raised tens of millions of RMB in an angel funding round from Challenjers, according to 36Kr. The capital will be directed toward expanding its core business, building a membership system, and exploring new ventures in hotel and serviced apartment operations.
What’s remarkable about Tiaohai isn’t just its growth—it’s how the brand has become a social media sensation with barely 30 outlets and no advertising. That’s right, no ads. While competitors pour money into Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Dianping, Tiaohai has cultivated its own buzz organically, especially on Xiaohongshu, where it’s one of the most talked-about pub brands.
Founded in a Beijing hutong as a humble home bar, Tiaohai started by serving beer and cocktails to small, intimate crowds. The success of its first real pub in 2019 near Beijing’s Houhai district showed founder Liang Ergou that this was more than just a side hustle. Now, with plans to test the waters in new markets—starting with Singapore—Tiaohai is ready to expand beyond its Beijing roots and into the broader lifestyle space.
CoreAIoT bags RMB 60 million in angel funding
CoreAIoT, a provider of smart warehousing services in China, has secured RMB 60 million (USD 8.4 million) in angel funding from Jade Invest, according to 36Kr.
Headquartered in Hefei, CoreAIoT is focused on making storage smarter and faster, cutting costs, and optimizing supply chains. With the new funds, the company plans to boost its technical capabilities and grow its service portfolio. It’s all part of a bigger play to dominate the smart warehousing sector, a space that’s heating up as businesses look to optimize logistics and stay ahead in the race for efficiency.
CoreAIoT has its eyes on the future, and this capital injection is setting the stage for its next phase of growth—expanding its market reach and driving innovation across China’s warehousing landscape.
Clout Kitchen, Salmon, Canterly, and more led recent headlines:
- Clout Kitchen, a startup creating artificial intelligence-powered experiences for gaming and pop culture, secured USD 4.45 million in a seed funding round co-led by a16z Speedrun and Peak XV’s Surge. Other investors include AppWorks, Hustle Fund, Antler, and gaming creators like Gabby Dizon (Yield Guild Games) and Kun Gao (Crunchyroll).
- Salmon, a financial services provider in Southeast Asia, closed a USD 30 million Series A2 equity financing round, with key institutional investors including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Abu Dhabi’s Lunate contributing beyond their pro-rata rights.
- Canterly, a Singapore-based outfit focused on bringing the equestrian industry into the digital age, secured an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Antler. This round follows Canterly’s pre-seed raise in June, which was also backed by Antler.
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