Hi everyone. Taro here.
Over the past few weeks, I have been listening to atmospheric drum & bass mixes on YouTube while getting into the zone at work. It got me curious about whether music actually helps with concentration levels and memory. Studies don’t seem to yield a consensus, but it does seem like music that can create a positive mood and doesn’t have lyrics may be beneficial to the listener. If you have any work background music to recommend, please let me know.
The last few weeks have been a wild ride for crypto, with Three Arrows Capital, USDD, Solend, and Celsius all showing up in negative headlines. The effects have hurt a lot of people at the retail level, although institutional investors don’t appear to be in panic mode yet. The debate surrounding real decentralization and regulation remains a hot topic. Will crypto supporters want to maintain the space’s anti-institutional origins or move towards a practice that offers stronger protections for users?
Open Run
This week, we’re looking at startups that are developing solar energy solutions across Asia.
Location: Japan
A spinoff startup from Kyoto University, the Japanese firm is looking to develop commercially viable perovskite solar cells for thinner and more efficient solar panels. This form of technology is the result of relatively new research from 2009. Enecoat aims to have their products replace the currently popular c-Si solar cells.
Location: Singapore
SolarHome installs solar panels for customers and offers a “pay as you go” model to reduce upfront costs, lowering the cost barrier of adoption. Headquartered in Singapore, the startup is now operating in Myanmar with other Southeast Asian markets in the pipeline.
Location: Singapore
Currently working on an ambitious project called the Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink), which aims to deliver solar energy from the Northern Territory of Australia to Darwin and Singapore.
Location: Indonesia
The Indonesian startup wants to bring solar energy to the country by being a one-stop provider for setting up equipment on rooftops. They work with clients on feasibility studies, financing options that can include no upfront fees, and post-installation management and maintenance.
Nothing But Net
Recent Startup Wins
- Helicap raised USD 5 million in a strategic funding round led by Tikehau Capital and PhillipCapital.
- RPG Commerce raised a USD 29 million Series B round led by East Ventures, UOB Venture Management, Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, and RHL Ventures.
- CrediBook closed a USD 8.1 million Series A investment led by Monk’s Hill Ventures, with participation from Insignia Ventures Partners and Wavemaker Partners.
Pick & Roll
Interesting Drops From the Week
- Some Cambodian startups are trying to find ways to fight climate change.
- Accelerating Asia’s Craig Dixon spoke with KrASIA in an enlightening interview about how the accelerator and its portfolio companies are navigating the economic downturn, and how his organization evaluates startups.
- A possible sign of things to come: Electric Last Mile Solutions is planning to declare bankruptcy just one year after it went public via the much hyped SPAC route. [via CNBC]
- A fascinating look at the collapse of the Axie Infinity token economy and its current pivot away from the play-to-earn model. [via Bloomberg]
If you are a startup that is raising funds, or have an interesting story or lead for us to feature in this newsletter, please fill out thisform.