From billion-dollar funding rounds and AI breakthroughs to small business resilience and regulatory shifts, here’s your essential roundup of Asia’s most impactful business and tech news this week.
1. Asia’s Startup Ecosystem Attracts $437 Million in Fresh Capital
Asia’s dynamic startup scene drew more than $437 million in new funding this week. Major deals included Singapore’s Bolttech raising $147 million in Series C funding, boosting its valuation to $2.1 billion and signaling robust investor confidence in insurtech. Indian B2B platform Udaan closed its Series G round at $114 million, aiming to expand across FMCG and hospitality sectors and preparing for a public listing. Singapore’s Syfe secured $80 million to enhance its AI-powered investment tools and expand across Asia-Pacific, following its acquisition of Australia’s Selfwealth. These investments highlight strong regional momentum in fintech, insurtech, and B2B commerce, with several startups edging closer to profitability and IPO readiness. (Techloy)
2. Arm Holdings Rebrands and Enters Proprietary Chip Design
Arm Holdings, a cornerstone of global semiconductor architecture, announced a major rebranding—retiring its Cortex brand and unveiling five new CPU lines: Neoverse, Niva, Lumex, Zena, and Orbis. Arm is also stepping into proprietary chip design, with TSMC manufacturing and Meta as a reported early customer. This move comes amid rising competition from RISC-V and ongoing export control tensions. The rebrand marks a strategic pivot as Arm’s fourth-quarter revenue exceeded $1 billion, with annual revenue set to surpass $4 billion. (DIGITIMES Asia)
3. Indian Startups Secure Over $216 Million Across 21 Deals
Indian startups continued their funding momentum, raising between $134.4 million and $216.19 million across 16–21 deals. Notable rounds include Udaan ($39 million), Snitch ($40 million), and Stable Money ($20 million). Early-stage startups like Biopeak ($3.5 million seed) and Spense ($1.9 million pre-seed) also attracted investment. The fintech, e-commerce, and healthtech sectors led the charge, reflecting India’s growing innovation and investor confidence. (WEXT)
4. Singapore’s Bolttech Hits $2.1 Billion Valuation with Global Expansion Plans
Bolttech’s $147 million Series C round not only cements its unicorn status but also sets the stage for global expansion and embedded insurance solutions, in partnership with Japan’s Sumitomo. The insurtech firm is leveraging this capital to innovate in digital insurance and strengthen its international footprint, exemplifying Singapore’s role as a regional fintech hub. (Techloy)
5. Udaan’s $114 Million Series G Fuels B2B Commerce Growth and IPO Ambitions
Indian B2B commerce platform Udaan closed its Series G round at $114 million, focusing on expanding its FMCG and hospitality offerings, growing private labels, and preparing for a public listing. Udaan’s continued funding success underscores the rise of B2B marketplaces in India’s digital economy and their readiness for global capital markets. (Techloy)
6. AI Chip Startups in India Gain Momentum with Veteran Leadership
India’s AI chip sector is heating up, with ex-Intel, AMD, and TI executives launching startups like C2i Semiconductors (which raised $4 million) and Bodhi Computing (now part of Krutrim). Government support, including the DLI scheme and plans to train 85,000 chip professionals, is accelerating “Design in India” ambitions. Funding for Indian chip startups rose from $5 million in 2023 to over $28 million in 2024, reflecting a strategic push to localize advanced semiconductor innovation. (DIGITIMES Asia)
7. Malaysia Accelerates 5G Rollout with $568 Million U Mobile-Telekom Malaysia Deal
Malaysia’s U Mobile and Telekom Malaysia announced a $568 million partnership to accelerate 5G rollout, leveraging TM’s 740,000km fiber infrastructure. The goal is to achieve 80% 5G coverage within a year, supporting digital transformation in retail, transportation, medical care, and e-commerce. This move positions Malaysia as a regional 5G leader and boosts opportunities for tech-driven small businesses. (Substack)
8. Singapore Space & Technology Ltd Relaunches to Boost Regional Space Innovation
Singapore Space & Technology Ltd relaunched this week, signaling renewed focus on regional space innovation and commercial opportunities. The relaunch is expected to foster new partnerships, drive satellite technology development, and support startups in the rapidly growing Asian space economy. (Substack)
9. Laos Advances 1,000MW Solar Power Project, Eyes Regional Exports
Laos’ 1,000-megawatt solar power project in Oudomxay Province reached 60% completion and is set to commence operation by year-end. The project aims to export renewable electricity to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and, to a lesser extent, Myanmar and Malaysia. This underscores Southeast Asia’s growing role in the regional green energy transition and cross-border power trade. (Substack)
10. Australia Tightens Crypto ATM Regulations Amid Rising Scams
Australia’s national financial intelligence agency introduced new rules and transaction limits for crypto ATM operators, responding to a rise in scams. The number of Bitcoin ATMs grew from 1,385 in January to 1,821 by June 3, reflecting surging crypto adoption but also increased regulatory scrutiny to protect consumers and small businesses. (Substack)
11. China’s 2030 Action Plan Targets Chip and Quantum Tech Breakthroughs
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation released a 2030 action plan focusing on breakthroughs in chip technology and quantum-scale measurement. The plan aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology, accelerate domestic innovation, and secure China’s position in next-generation semiconductors and quantum computing. (Substack)
12. Philippines to Host World-First AI-Governed Island by UK’s Sensay
UK-based Sensay will launch the world’s first AI-governed island off the Philippines, featuring a digital cabinet of historical figures like Marcus Aurelius and Churchill. This experimental project blends AI, governance, and tourism, offering a glimpse into future smart city and digital governance models in Asia. (Substack)
13. Flipkart and Kuhoo Finance Secure NBFC Licenses, Expanding Digital Lending
India’s Flipkart and Kuhoo Finance received NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) licenses from the Reserve Bank of India, allowing them to offer loans directly to users and sellers. This regulatory milestone enables deeper financial inclusion, supports small businesses, and signals a broader shift toward embedded finance in Asia’s e-commerce and fintech sectors. (WEXT)
14. Lenskart and Moneyview Go Public Ahead of Major IPOs
Eyewear giant Lenskart and fintech firm Moneyview converted to public companies, preparing for $1 billion and $400 million IPOs, respectively. Capillary Technologies, a SaaS firm, also received board approval for a $265 million IPO. These moves highlight the maturity and global aspirations of Indian tech companies, with IPO proceeds expected to fuel further innovation and expansion. (WEXT)
15. KiranaPro Cyberattack Highlights Digital Security Risks for Small Businesses
KiranaPro, a tech-driven grocery supply chain startup in India, suffered a cyberattack just before a major fundraising round, forcing a temporary pause in operations. The incident underscores the growing cybersecurity risks facing small businesses and startups, particularly as digital adoption accelerates across Asia. (WEXT)
16. Prosus FoundHER Challenge Awards $100K Grants to Women-Led Startups
The Prosus FoundHER Challenge concluded with $100,000 in equity-free grants awarded to four women-led startups in India. This initiative promotes gender diversity, supports female entrepreneurs, and drives innovation in sectors ranging from fintech to healthtech. (WEXT)
17. Afthonia Labs Announces 2025 Fintech Cohort, Focuses on Green Finance and Cybersecurity
Afthonia Labs, a fintech-focused incubator in India, selected seven startups for its 2025 cohort, emphasizing innovations in green finance and cybersecurity. This reflects a broader trend toward sustainable fintech solutions and the critical importance of digital security in the region’s financial sector. (WEXT)
18. Temu and Shein See Sharp Drop in US Daily Active Users
Chinese e-commerce giants Temu and Shein experienced significant declines in US daily active users in May—Temu down 52% and Shein down 25% compared to March, according to Sensor Tower. The drop highlights the volatility of cross-border e-commerce and the challenges Asian platforms face in sustaining international growth amid shifting consumer preferences. (Substack)
19. South Korea’s Stock Market Rallies on Reform Optimism and Minority Shareholder Rights
South Korea’s stock market jumped 2% this week, extending its post-election rally. The ruling party plans to reintroduce a bill to strengthen minority shareholder rights, boosting investor confidence and signaling ongoing reforms to enhance market transparency and governance. (Nikkei Asia)
20. US and China Resume Trade Talks Amid Rare Earth Supply Tensions
Trade tensions between the US and China showed signs of easing after President Trump and President Xi agreed to restart the flow of rare earth minerals, critical for global tech manufacturing. Rare-earth prices remain near record highs due to China’s export curbs, but the agreement signals a potential thaw in US-China trade relations, with significant implications for Asian supply chains and tech industries. (Nikkei Asia)
Conclusion: Asia’s Innovation Engine Powers Ahead
This week’s top 20 stories illustrate Asia’s remarkable momentum in business, technology, and startups. From billion-dollar funding rounds and AI chip breakthroughs to regulatory wins and green energy projects, the region is driving global innovation and economic transformation. Small businesses and startups remain at the heart of this surge, leveraging new capital, digital tools, and supportive policies to scale and compete on the world stage.
As Asia’s business landscape evolves, expect continued growth in fintech, AI, green energy, and cross-border commerce, with a strong focus on resilience, inclusion, and sustainability.
For more insights and updates on global business trends, visit www.bdigit24.com
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