Finfra secures USD 2.5 million to expand embedded lending infrastructure, partners with Tyme Group
Finfra, an Indonesian lending infrastructure provider, has secured USD 2.5 million in a funding round led by Cento Ventures, with participation from Accion Venture Lab, Z Venture Capital, Matiss Ansviesulis, and existing investors.
This round brings Finfra’s total funding to USD 4.3 million, underscoring strong investor confidence as the company ramps up efforts to bridge Indonesia’s credit gap for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The fresh capital will support Finfra’s strategic partnership with Tyme Group, the digital banking operator behind TymeBank in South Africa and GoTyme Bank in the Philippines, as it launches in Indonesia. Leveraging Finfra’s API-driven platform, Tyme will be able to deliver embedded lending solutions, such as merchant cash advances, to Indonesian SMEs. This partnership represents a significant expansion of Tyme’s Southeast Asia footprint while providing Finfra with valuable international exposure.
Additionally, Finfra plans to use the new funds to enhance its onboarding capabilities and refine its data analytics tools—key for promoting responsible lending and driving sustainable credit solutions in the region.
Gobi Partners leads investment in DCAP to boost financial inclusion
DCAP, a Malaysian fintech company, has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from Gobi Partners through its Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund, backed by Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
Founded in 2020, DCAP focuses on bridging financial service gaps for underserved and underbanked consumers in Malaysia. DCAP’s “lending-as-a-service” (LaaS) model enables traditional financial institutions to expand their reach by digitalizing their offerings, addressing critical access gaps in Malaysia.
Through its platform, DCAP leverages artificial intelligence-powered credit scoring and mobility financing options to deliver fairer lending terms for low-income clients, who represent over 90% of its customer base. It is also a pioneer in green vehicle financing for electric two-wheelers, advancing the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.
This investment will accelerate DCAP’s ability to scale and broaden access to responsible credit solutions while disrupting predatory lending practices. The company stated it will continue its mission to bridge Malaysia’s financial divide, with an emphasis on empowering women and marginalized groups through sustainable financial products.
BuzzAR secures HSBC funding to expand AI-driven tourism in Saudi Arabia
BuzzAR, a Singapore-based mixed reality company, has received USD 1.16 million from HSBC’s New Economy Fund to advance “Buzz AI Experience” (BAE), its AI-driven tour guide product in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority. The partnership integrates BAE’s storytelling and personalization capabilities within Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector, supporting the country’s goal of attracting 100 million tourists by the decade’s end.
Since the BAE platform launched earlier this year, BuzzAR said it has seen a fourfold increase in revenue in Saudi Arabia. It added that HSBC’s funding will be instrumental in deploying BAE’s capabilities at scale across the kingdom, enabling tour guides to manage larger groups while enhancing visitor engagement through immersive and customized experiences. This marks a strategic milestone for BuzzAR as it expands into the MENA region, with plans to foster tourism connections between Asia and the Middle East.
Supermom, Hijau, Tookitaki, and more made yesterday’s headlines:
- Supermom, a Singapore-headquartered consumer data platform targeting families, confirmed it raised SGD 18 million (USD 13.6 million) in a Series B funding round led by Granite Asia, with participation from returning investors AC Ventures and Qualgro, alongside Hearst Ventures.
- Hijau, an Indonesia-based solar energy developer, secured an investment from Clime Capital’s Southeast Clean Energy Fund II (SEACEF II), which could extend up to USD 10 million.
- Tookitaki, a Singapore-based anti-financial crime software firm, received an undisclosed amount of funding from True Global Ventures (TGV)’s Opportunity Fund.
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