QCraft raises USD 100 million for “physical AI” and Level 4 autonomy work
QCraft, an autonomous driving solutions provider, has completed a Series D funding round, securing backing from Ningbo Ninghai Xingtaihe Fund, Wonderland Capital, Liangxi Science and Innovation Industry Investment Fund Partnership, managed by Broad Vision Funds, as well as unnamed investors linked to a major automotive OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and an automotive electronics supplier.
The company said it will use the proceeds to advance physical artificial intelligence R&D, with a focus on world models and reinforcement learning. It also plans to strengthen its organizational capabilities and expand its global talent pipeline.
QCraft develops autonomous driving systems and is sharpening its focus on Level 4 autonomy and real-world AI applications. In 2026, it expects to deploy its technology and urban navigate-on-autopilot capabilities across more than 50 new vehicle models.
The company added that its world model and reinforcement learning platform is nearing a public debut, while new robotaxi pilot programs are planned for this year ahead of a broader rollout in 2027.
Grab agrees to acquire Foodpanda delivery business in Taiwan
Grab, operator of the eponymous superapp, has agreed to acquire Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda delivery business in Taiwan for USD 600 million. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
The deal gives Grab an entry point into Taiwan, which would become its ninth market and its first outside Southeast Asia. After closing, the company said it will operate across 21 cities in the market.
Grab plans to integrate its AI-enabled logistics, merchant, and mapping tools with Foodpanda’s local scale. Delivery Hero said the Taiwan business generated about USD 1.8 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025 and was profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis before the allocation of group costs.
Grab said it is targeting a full migration of users, merchant partners, and driver partners from Foodpanda to its platform by early 2027. It added that the transaction is expected to be accretive to revenue and adjusted EBITDA.
Talino targets cross-border fintech infrastructure with new funding
Talino, a fintech venture studio, has closed a USD 7.5 million Series A round led by Chemonics International, with participation from Mount Sinai Capital and Gulf Blvd.
The company said it will use the capital to expand its focus on cross-border financial infrastructure. Central to this strategy is an API-first connectivity layer designed to replace fragmented legacy rails with interoperable systems for payments and related services.
Talino said its platform supports brands including BayaniPay, Higala, and Bahai Deals. It added that its licenses in the US and Canada provide a regulatory base for expansion. The company has also signed partnerships with PDAX and Bridge to support faster payments and localized settlement in the Philippines, its initial flagship market.
Video Rebirth closes USD 80 million round to commercialize Bach video models
Video Rebirth, an AI startup, has announced the final close of a USD 80 million funding round, including a USD 30 million extension on top of the USD 50 million it raised in November.
Investors in the expanded round include AMD Ventures, Hyundai, and other strategic backers spanning entertainment, mobility, and technology. The capital will be used to accelerate commercialization of its Bach series of video generation models and support global expansion.
Video Rebirth positions itself as a developer of industrial-grade video AI systems rather than consumer-facing tools, with applications in content production, simulation, and interactive media.
Carsome secures more than USD 30 million in latest round
Carsome, an Asia-focused car marketplace platform, has secured more than USD 30 million from new and existing investors, including Hong Kong Investment Corporation, Gobi Partners, and Asia Partners.
The company said the proceeds will support efforts to drive profitable growth across the region. It added that the partnership is intended to strengthen links between Southeast Asia and Greater China by using Hong Kong as a gateway for supply chain sourcing, technology collaboration, and talent development.
SmartSolar raises debt financing to expand rooftop solar network
SmartSolar, a solar solutions provider, has raised USD 1.3 million through a senior loan and debt facility from European investors, according to Tech in Asia. This brings its total funding to more than USD 3.1 million.
The financing includes a USD 300,000 loan from SECO Startup Fund, a Swiss government-backed program, and a USD 1 million debt facility from German travel company SKR Reisen.
SmartSolar operates a solar-as-a-service model focused on small and medium enterprises. It offers rooftop installations with no upfront cost and charges customers based on monthly energy consumption estimated through its software. The company said the capital will be used to expand its customer base in the food and beverage and travel sectors, while extending its reach nationwide.
Datakrew raises USD 2.6 million to scale battery intelligence tools
Datakrew, a fleet intelligence company, has raised USD 2.6 million in a pre-Series A round led by Greenwillow Capital Management, according to TechNode Global. Existing backer Beenext participated, alongside 500 Global, SG Growth Capital, XA Network, AngelList, and other investors.
The company develops battery intelligence software for electric vehicle fleets, OEMs, and insurers. It said the capital will be used to accelerate the global rollout of its Oxred MyFleet platform, enhance its AI-driven analytics capabilities, and expand across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Datakrew also plans to scale newer products.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Gasgene, a biomanufacturing company, has raised over RMB 100 million (USD 14.5 million) in a new round. The round included a fund managed by Shanghai STVC Group and Tianjin Venture Capital, alongside existing backers Boyuan Capital, Tencent, Qianhai Fund of Funds, and Nanchuang Capital. Founded in 2023, it focuses on one-carbon bioconversion and gas fermentation technologies. The funding will support its transition from pilot production to industrialization. —36Kr
- Xingyu Kongtian, an aerospace propulsion systems developer, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum in a pre-Series A round led by Loongson Capital, with participation from TusStar VC, Tsinghua Capital, Fuzhuo Investment, and Beijing’s Future Science Park. Existing investors Zhongguancun Qihang and Longding Investment also participated. The company will use the funds for R&D and upcoming flight tests of its hypersonic propulsion systems. —36Kr
- Qianjing, an AI connectivity solutions provider, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a pre-Series A round led solely by Qiying Tongchuang. It develops edge-side systems designed to optimize communication for robots and autonomous systems. The proceeds will support model iteration and productization. —36Kr
- Postek, a manufacturer of core components for high-energy particle applications, has raised over RMB 100 million in a Series C round led by Shanghai-based Real Power Capital, with participation from Bocom Capital and Vision Plus Capital. The funding will support advanced product development and global market expansion. —36Kr
- Guangli, a smart eyewear brand, has secured close to RMB 100 million in a pre-Series B round from Hangzhou Hi-tech Innovation Group. It develops sports-focused smart glasses using holographic waveguide technology. The capital will be allocated to R&D, team expansion, and international market growth. —36Kr
- Juhai Hengchuang, a nucleic acid synthesis platform company, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a new round led by Qihang Investment Management, with participation from Hangzhou Fulin, Hangzhou Runmiao Fund, and existing investor TigerYeah Capital. The company will use the funds for new product development and overseas expansion. —36Kr
- Siramic-Tech, a semiconductor materials company, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A round led by Zhongguancun Development Group, with participation from Peiyang Begonia Fund and continued backing from Jinqiao Fund and Shangshi Fund. It focuses on high-purity synthetic quartz sand and other advanced materials. The proceeds will support capacity expansion. —36Kr
Virdalis, PixVerse, Aridge, and others made recent headlines:
- Virdalis, a Singapore-based biotechnology startup, raised USD 700,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Wavemaker Impact.
- PixVerse, a video generation platform developed by Chinese-founded AIsphere, raised an undisclosed amount of Series C funding in a round led by CDH Investments, with participation from Antler, EnvisionX Capital, iGlobe Partners, Lion X Ventures, UOB Venture Management, and 3W Fund.
- Aridge, the flying car subsidiary of Xpeng, raised nearly USD 200 million in an equity round from Gaorong Ventures, Fortune Capital, Hillhouse Capital, and HongShan, the latter two of which also participated in its earlier Series A round.
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Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.91 = USD 1 based on estimates as of March 23, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.