Portcast raises USD 6.5 million to automate supply chain decisions
Portcast, a Singapore-based logistics tech startup, has closed a USD 6.5 million Series A round led by Susquehanna Asia VC, with participation from Hearst Ventures and Signal Ventures, among other investors.
Portcast’s platform provides real-time transportation visibility and predictive analytics, processing data from over 370 carriers and 800 ports to deliver actionable insights for reducing costs and emissions.
CEO Nidhi Gupta noted that global supply chain disruptions have made visibility tools indispensable but insufficient on their own. “The priority now is to drive actions from visibility data through automated recommendations,” she said.
The funding will fuel the scaling of Portcast’s artificial intelligence-driven tools and support its expansion across the Asia Pacific and European markets, enhancing supply chain resilience globally.
Secai Marche nets additional JPY 250 million in Series A funding
Secai Marche, a Japan-headquartered business connecting farmers with restaurants and retailers in Southeast Asia, has netted an additional JPY 250 million (USD 1.6 million) in its Series A round of financing, according to e27.
The new funding comes from Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital (MSIVC) and debt partners Shizuoka Bank and Hokkoku Bank, following a USD 3.5 million raise earlier this year.
Leveraging AI to forecast demand and optimize last-mile deliveries, Secai Marche plans to expand its fulfillment centers, automate logistics, and ramp up marketing efforts.
Boman Group charts USD 1 billion fund to connect Australia with China
Boman Group, a Melbourne-based fund manager, is wrapping up the first tranche of a USD 1 billion fund designed to back Australian startups that can scale into China, according to Australian Financial Review.
After securing operational licenses over the past two years, the firm plans to open offices in Tianjin near Beijing, with further expansions to Shanghai and southern China.
CEO Eric Gao said that the fund will prioritize hardware and healthcare technologies, leveraging China’s manufacturing capabilities to address critical challenges such as its aging population.
Set to deploy in three phases starting in early 2025, the fund seeks to bridge Australia’s innovation with China’s strategic priorities. Boman’s prior investments include OpenAI, Klarna, and The a2 Milk Company.
HealthKart secures USD 153 million
HealthKart, an Indian omnichannel nutrition platform, has raised USD 153 million in a funding round co-led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal Alternates, with participation from Neo Group and existing backer A91 Partners.
The funds will be used to support HealthKart’s expansion, brand building, and R&D. The company also announced its first ESOP buyback worth INR 550 million (USD 6.5 million).
Recent deals completed in China:
- C Ray Therapeutics, a Chengdu-based radiopharmaceutical developer, has raised over USD 100 million in a Series A+ funding round co-led by Shenzhen Capital Group’s Manufacturing Transformation and Upgrading New Materials Fund and Tailong Capital, with participation from GL Ventures, 3SBio, Guanghua Wutong, and an undisclosed industrial investment institution. WinX Capital was the appointed financial advisor for this transaction. The funds will strengthen its platform, enhance R&D for innovative radiopharmaceuticals, and support clinical trials.
- UnitX, a manufacturing defect detection specialist, has raised USD 46 million in a Series B funding round led by UP Partners. The funds will be allocated toward market expansion and advancing R&D efforts. —36Kr
- Daimon Robotics has announced the closure of two angel funding rounds amounting to an eight-figure RMB sum, led by Jinding Capital and co-invested by Guozhong Capital, Lenovo Capital, and a major financial institution. Established in 2023, Daemon Robotics develops optical tactile sensors and multimodal haptic perception technologies for robotics applications. The capital will be utilized to accelerate R&D and product commercialization. —36Kr
- JancsiTech, a nuclear medicine startup founded in 2021, has secured tens of millions of RMB in a pre-Series A funding round led by Safe & Rich Venture Capital. Proceeds from the round will be directed toward product market approvals, new product development, and expansion into veterinary radiotherapy. —36Kr
- Moyang Biotechnology, a developer of modified hydroxyapatite nanomaterials, has completed a nearly USD 13.6 million Series B+ funding round co-led by Boyuan Capital, Hengxu Capital, and Yanbei Capital. The capital will support Moyang’s product R&D and expansion of its sales and marketing infrastructure. —36Kr
SmartBank, DF Auto, Turing Space, and more made recent headlines:
- SmartBank, a Tokyo-based firm behind the expense management app B/43, raised JPY 4.08 billion (USD 26.1 million) in its Series B funding round’s initial close. It brought in JPY 2.93 billion (USD 18.7 million) in an equity raise led by SMBC-GB Growth No.1 Fund while securing the remainder in debt financing from various Japanese banks.
- DF Automation and Robotics (DF Auto), a Malaysia-based company focused on autonomous mobile robots, announced a USD 1.85 million raise in a funding round led by Vynn Capital. The round saw participation from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), Japan’s Leave a Nest Capital, and equity crowdfunding investors.
- Turing Space, a firm dedicated to trust tech, closed a funding round of more than USD 3 million led by ProFederal.
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