Asia-Pacific’s small corporations and startups on the rise
As Asia-Pacific strikes into post-pandemic mode, the qualities of creativity, resilience and capability for change shine by way of within the second Forbes Asia 100 to Watch record. We highlight 100 small corporations and startups throughout the area which are addressing real-world challenges with recent pondering and revolutionary services. These embrace sooner blood exams, extra accessible aged care providers, and well-being apps to assist these battling isolation or burnout. Others on our record are taking goal at local weather change, by way of uber-long-lasting batteries, for instance, and more-resilient crops. Some provide fintech options to digitalize—and join—underserved markets. Fifteen international locations and territories are represented throughout 11 classes that embrace biotechnology and healthcare, e-commerce and retail, and finance. Singapore’s vibrant startup neighborhood contributed 19 corporations to the record, adopted intently by Hong Kong with 16.
Edited by John Kang and Catherine Wang
Enhancing help and reporting by Yue Wang
Further reporting by Jayde Cheung, Zinnia Lee, Yessar Rosendar, Simran Vaswani and Ardian Wibisono
METHODOLOGY: To pick our 100 to Watch, Forbes Asia solicited on-line submissions, and invited accelerators, incubators, SME advocacy organizations, universities, enterprise capitalists and others to appoint corporations as effectively. The ultimate 100 was chosen from over 650 submissions. To qualify for consideration, corporations needed to be headquartered within the Asia-Pacific area, privately owned, for revenue, have not more than $50 million in its newest annual income and have not more than $100 million in complete funding by way of Aug. 1. Our group evaluated every submission, taking a look at metrics equivalent to a optimistic impression on the area or business, a observe document of sturdy income progress or skill to draw funding, promising enterprise fashions or markets, and a persuasive story. The editors reserve the proper to take away or substitute any firm or particular person included in a listing in gentle of any new data that may disqualify them from inclusion.
From left: AgroStar cofounders Shardul Sheth and Sitanshu Sheth.
COURTESY OF AGROSTAR
AgroStar
India
Class: Agriculture
12 months based: 2013 • CEO: Shardul Sheth
Key backers: Aavishkaar Capital, Accel, Bertelsmann India Investments, British Worldwide Funding, Chiratae Ventures, Evolvence, Hero Enterprise, Worldwide Finance Company, Rabo Frontier Ventures, Schroders Capital
AgroStar’s mission is to “assist farmers win” by offering advisory providers to enhance crop yields and the prospect to attach with exporters. It additionally launched a high quality assurance lab in Might to check seeds and fertilizers. The startup says its digital community spans over 6.5 million farmers throughout India, and it processes roughly 70 million knowledge factors a month to tailor suggestions. By the AgroStar app, farmers can ask inquiries to skilled “AgroDoctors,” watch tutorials on matters equivalent to soil high quality, and community with different farmers. Thus far it has raised $96 million in funding.
AI For Pet
South Korea
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Euna Hur
Key backers: Google for Startups, Industrial Financial institution of Korea, Korea Asset Funding Securities, Postech Holdings, Shinhan Sq. Bridge
AI For Pet operates an app that may detect eye and pores and skin illnesses in cats and canine utilizing software program that analyzes photographs customers take with their telephones. Over 1 million samples of imaging knowledge, labeled by veterinary consultants, have been used to develop its AI fashions, the corporate says.
Alami
Indonesia
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Dima Djani
Key backers: AC Ventures, East Ventures, FEBE Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, Lendable, Tryb Group, Quona Capital
Alami goals to rework the Islamic finance business, beginning with its Sharia-compliant peer-to-peer lending platform for small and midsized companies. The startup says its annual disbursement progress tripled over the previous two years because it tapped into Indonesia’s rising fish farming and logistic sectors, to deliver the entire to over $200 million disbursed to date.
Ami
Singapore
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2022 • CEO: Justin Kim
Key backers: Collaborative Fund, Goodwater Capital, January Capital, Meta, Robust Ventures
Ami, a “human-centric” psychological wellness startup, pairs staff with mental-health professionals to assist enhance office well-being in Asia. The startup has raised $4 million so far and serves over 20 corporations and startups in Singapore and Indonesia, with plans to increase into South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.
Forbes Asia
Animall
India
Class: Agriculture
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Neetu Yadav
Key backers: Beenext, Rocketship.vc, Susquehanna Asia
Animall lets farmers in India commerce cattle immediately with one another by way of its app. The startup, which started in 2019, has now reached greater than 8 million dairy farmers, it says. Animall has supported 850,000 cattle gross sales previously three years. It additionally trades its personal animals.
Apartmentary
South Korea
Class: Shopper Expertise
12 months based: 2015 • CEOs: Junyoung Kim, Soyeon Yoon
Key backers: Daol Funding, KB Funding, Reverent Companions, Samsung Enterprise Funding, Shinhan Capital, SoftBank Ventures Asia
Apartmentary goals to digitalize South Korea’s giant however fragmented dwelling renovation market. The Seoul-based startup developed a web site and app for end-to-end dwelling renovation providers. It claims nearly 60% of its clients have been very glad with its providers, increased than the business common.
ArchiREEF
Hong Kong
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Vriko Yu
Key backer: HKSTP
A derivative firm from the College of Hong Kong, ArchiREEF is on a mission to revive coral reefs destroyed by local weather change with 3D-printed terracotta tiles. The corporate works with the governments of Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi, and goals to switch 4,000 coral fragments throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans by 2025.
Astro Applied sciences
COURTESY OF ASTRO TECHNOLOGIES
Indonesia
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2021 • CEO: Vincent Tjendra
Key backers: AC Ventures, Accel, Citius, International Founders Capital, Lightspeed Enterprise Companions, Sequoia India, Tiger International
Astro Applied sciences guarantees a 15-minute supply of groceries to 50 areas within the better Jakarta space. To make sure on-time supply, it operates a community of darkish shops—distribution facilities for on-line procuring—and claims to have 1,500 devoted drivers. The startup says it raised $91.6 million from three funding rounds.
Atom Semiconductor Applied sciences
Hong Kong
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: George Yuan
Key backers: Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise, Qiming Enterprise Companions
Based by George Yuan, a Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise electrical engineering professor who earned a Ph.D. from the College of Pennsylvania, Atom Semiconductor Applied sciences is considered one of Hong Kong’s few semiconductor corporations. It designs high-performance signal-chain chip options for the Web of Issues, with client, medical and industrial purposes.
Avant Meats
Hong Kong
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Carrie Chan
Key backers: Artesian, China Enterprise Capital, CPT Capital, HKSTP, Lever VC, ParticleX
Utilizing cell-culture expertise, Avant Meats is rising fish filets and fish maw (air bladders), that are thought-about a delicacy in China. The startup has raised about $14 million in funding to date, and is planning to launch a pilot plant in Singapore subsequent 12 months.
AwanTunai
Indonesia
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Dino Setiawan
Key backers: International Mind, IFC, Insignia Ventures Companions
AwanTunai gives Indonesia’s bigger grocery shops in addition to mom-and-pop outlets with on-line financing and fee providers, serving to to digitalize an in any other case offline sector that primarily depends on money transactions. Its app additionally connects shops with suppliers and gives stock and order administration providers.
Backpackr
South Korea
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2012 • CEO: Donghwan Kim
Key backers: Altos Ventures, IMM Funding
Backpackr operates a web based market for handmade items referred to as Idus, a Korean model of Etsy. Idus has garnered greater than 5 million downloads on the Google Play retailer and about 30,000 artisans are on the platform. In 2015, Backpackr acquired crowdfunding website Tumblbug to develop a creator ecosystem.
Baraja
From left: Baraja cofounders Federico Collarte and Cibby Pulikkaseril.
COURTESY OF BARAJA
Australia
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Federico Collarte
Key backers: Blackbird Ventures, HESTA, Hitachi Building Equipment, InterValley Ventures, Foremost Sequence, Perennial Companions, Regal Funds Administration, Sequoia China
Primarily based on lidar expertise—which makes use of lasers to detect objects—Baraja developed a product referred to as Spectrum-Scan that makes self-driving safer. The Sydney-based startup says Spectrum-Scan makes use of refractive optics to extend the decision and vary of object detection. Final 12 months, Baraja raised A$40 million ($28 million) in collection B funding led by Blackbird Ventures.
Bijak
India
Class: Agriculture
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Nukul Upadhye
Key backers: Bertelsmann India, ON Mauritius, RTP International, Sequoia India
Bijak goals to digitalize India’s agricultural sector by way of its B2B commodity buying and selling platform. To simplify the method of discovering dependable commerce companions, its app helps on-line funds, and features a score system for customers to go away opinions. The startup says its 30,000 customers are unfold throughout 27 Indian states.
Bijnis
India
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Siddharth Vij
Key backers: InfoEdge, Matrix Companions India, Sequoia India, WaterBridge Ventures
Bijnis cuts out the intermediary and lets India’s producers promote immediately on-line, whereas additionally providing them credit score, fee and logistics providers. The startup says its app is utilized by greater than 5,000 factories producing attire and way of life merchandise. Its separate “purchaser app” serves greater than 100,000 retailers.
Bifrost
From left: Bifrost cofounders Aravind Kandiah and Charles Wong.
COURTESY OF BIFROST
Singapore
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Charles Wong
Key backers: Cap Vista, Champion Hill Ventures, Hustle Fund, Lux Capital, Sequoia India, Wavemaker Companions
Bifrost is addressing the largest hindrance to growing AI: gathering and annotating huge quantities of knowledge. As an alternative of manually gathering knowledge, the startup builds digital worlds to create artificial datasets that practice AI fashions for purposes in areas equivalent to gaming, the metaverse, mobility, robotics, house and protection.
Blue Wall Applied sciences
China
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Jeffrey Bai
Key backers: GGV Capital, Hearst Ventures, ZhenFund
Blue Wall Applied sciences’ cloud-based collaboration platform permits actual property corporations to handle tasks all through the gross sales cycle, together with tenders, development, gross sales and leasing. Regardless of the Chinese language property downturn, Blue Wall Applied sciences in March bagged $7.4 million in a spherical led by the enterprise capital arm of U.S. media big Hearst Corp.
Bone’s Expertise
Hong Kong
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Chi Ma
Key backers: HKSTP, Hong Kong Innovation and Expertise Fee, MiraclePlus, Sequoia China, Shukun Expertise
Bone’s Expertise develops surgical robots and laptop methods to make orthopedic surgical procedure safer and bone well being assessments extra correct. The startup says its expertise, developed by chief expertise officer Huan Qi, who earned a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Oxford College, can elevate the accuracy of bone high quality testing from 60% to over 90%.
Cakap
Indonesia
Class: Schooling & Recruitment
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Tomy Yunus Tjen
Key backers: Heritas Capital, Indonesia Influence Fund, KB Funding, Mandiri Capital Indonesia, MDI Ventures
Cakap helps Indonesian staff be taught different languages on-line. In keeping with its web site, the startup has linked over 2.5 million college students learning English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese language with over 1,500 lecturers by way of textual content and video calls. Cakap has additionally begun to discover utilizing digital actuality and a metaverse platform for its providers.
Cooby
Taiwan
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Wen Shaw
Key backers: Pear VC, Sequoia India
Buyer relationship administration software program Cooby helps streamline B2C gross sales on WhatsApp. Its platform for the messaging app permits companies to investigate conversations with clients, combination contacts and share statistics about group efficiency. With a complete of $2.9 million in funding, the startup claims its customers span over 80 international locations.
DataMesh
China
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Jie Li
Key backers: IDG Capital, Lenovo Capital, Susquehanna Asia
Utilizing prolonged actuality (XR) expertise, DataMesh allows real-life inspection of development tasks earlier than completion. It has been deployed to simulate the development of the venue for the SAGA2024 Japan Video games and Nationwide Sports activities Competition for Folks with Disabilities. DataMesh says it has about 200 purchasers.
Desty
Indonesia
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Mulyono Xu
Key backers: 5Y Capital, East Ventures, Fosun RZ Capital, January Capital, Jungle Ventures
Utilizing Desty’s service, retailers in Indonesia with no coding abilities are stated to have the ability to simply create on-line shops and social media touchdown pages. The startup additionally affords options to handle inventories and supply buyer metrics. Desty claims practically 1 million retailers use its providers.
DimOrder
Hong Kong
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Ben Wong
Key backers: Cyberport, Pareto Holdings, Y Combinator
DimOrder began out serving to eating places digitize their menus after which expanded to offering a one-stop platform that permits order and stock administration, fee processing, revenue analytics and advertising and marketing. Prior to now 12 months, greater than 1,000 eating places began utilizing its platform, it says, together with Singapore billionaire Zhang Yong’s Haidilao hotpot chain.
Forbes Asia
Doctornow
South Korea
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Jiho Jang
Key backers: CRIT Ventures, Hashed, Saehan Enterprise Capital, SoftBank Ventures Asia
The telemedicine startup companions with hospitals and pharmacies to offer distant remedy and prescription-drug supply providers. Its app has reached greater than one million downloads on the Google Play retailer, making it one of many prime medical apps in South Korea. The startup stated it raised $32 million in funding in June.
DP Expertise
China
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Weijie Solar
Key backers: Baidu Ventures, Crystal Stream Capital, Hillhouse Capital, Matrix Companions China, Supply Code Capital, Qiming Enterprise Companions, Imaginative and prescient Plus Capital
DP Expertise seeks to scale back the excessive value related to drug discovery by way of AI. The corporate makes use of quantum mechanics to develop algorithms that simulate how disease-causing proteins may fit. Its partnerships with biopharma corporations embrace Wuxi Biortus Biosciences and Hong Kong-listed Hansoh Pharmaceutical.
EasyTransfer
Singapore
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2013 • CEO: Michael Shang
Key backers: IDG Capital, Taiyou Fund, ZhenFund
Based by former worldwide college students, the fintech startup helps course of tuition funds from abroad college students. EasyTransfer says it has serviced greater than 250,000 college students from over 30 international locations since its founding. It has additionally developed an anti-money laundering platform, primarily based on machine studying, that improves compliance opinions and fraud danger identification.
Endowus
Singapore
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Gregory Van
Key backers: Lightspeed Enterprise Companions, Prosus Ventures, Singtel Innov8, SoftBank Ventures Asia, UBS
Digital wealth platform Endowus gives funding advisory providers and permits customers to handle their personal money financial savings in addition to contributions to Singapore’s Central Provident Fund. The startup is trying to increase to Hong Kong this 12 months.
EntryLevel
Australia
Class: Schooling & Recruitment
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Ajay Prakash
Key backers: Blackbird Ventures, Doable Ventures, Startmate, TEN13
Schooling startup EntryLevel’s mission is to reskill 1 billion folks by way of on-line cohort-based packages. To affix a six-week class, customers pay a $99 bond, which is refunded after they graduate, or they’ll go for premium perks like additional content material. The startup says its course completion charge is as much as 20 occasions that of opponents, equivalent to Coursera or Common Meeting.
Etaily
Singapore
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Alexander Friedhoff
Key backers: Ayala Ventures, Foxmont Capital Companions, Gobi Companions, JG Digital Fairness Ventures
The O2O tech startup goals to digitalize retail in Southeast Asia by serving to shops embrace e-commerce. Its good providers for retailers embrace tech assist, operations, branding and knowledge administration. Led by former executives of on-line vogue retailer Zalora, Etaily claims its income progress elevated eightfold in 2022.
Euler Motors
India
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Saurav Kumar
Key backers: ADB Ventures, Blume Ventures, Jetty Ventures
Euler Motors’ flagship product is an electrical three-wheeler referred to as HiLoad, which touts a driving vary of as much as 151km and could be charged inside quarter-hour. The startup additionally operates its personal charging community and an app that lets customers monitor their automobiles.
Fable Meals
Australia
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Michael Fox
Key backers: Blackbird Ventures, Grok Ventures
Cofounded by a vegetarian, a fine-dining chef and an natural mushroom farmer, Fable Meals affords a plant-based meat various constituted of shiitake mushrooms. The startup gives ready-to-eat meal packing containers, equivalent to “beef” stroganoff and curry rice, and provides meals chains together with Australia’s Grill’d Wholesome Burgers.
Fano Labs
Fano Labs founder Miles Wen.
COURTESY OF FANO LABS
Hong Kong
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2014 • CEO: Miles Wen
Key backers: HKSTP, Horizons Ventures, Saltagen Ventures, College of Hong Kong
An AI startup spun off from the College of Hong Kong, Fano Labs makes a speciality of speech recognition and pure language processing applied sciences. Its merchandise assist corporations with their customer support, compliance and gross sales. The startup says it counts over 40 finance and telecoms corporations and authorities our bodies as clients.
Finhay
Vietnam
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Huy Nghiem
Key backers: Insignia Ventures Companions, Thien Viet Securities
By its micro-investment and wealth administration platform, Finhay goals to supply a one-stop store for buyers in Vietnam. The startup says its 2.7 million app customers can begin investing with as little as $2.20, enhancing monetary inclusion. Finhay’s institutional companions embrace Dragon Capital and Malaysian financial institution CIMB Group.
FRND
From left: FRND cofounders Hardik Bansal, Bhanu Pratap Singh Tanwar and Harshvardhan Chhangani.
Courtesy of FRND
India
Class: Shopper Expertise
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Bhanu Pratap Singh Tanwar
Key backers: Elevation Capital, India Quotient, Krafton
Relationship app FRND helps customers join whereas enjoying on-line video games. To assist break the ice, the corporate’s matchmakers kickstart audio-based conversations, that are designed to be enjoyable—and protected—experiences. FRND says the app has been downloaded greater than 5 million occasions, and has a score of 4.2 out of 5 on Google Play.
Gense Applied sciences
Hong Kong
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Justin Chan
Key backers: Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise, ParticleX
Gense Applied sciences goals to make medical checkups potential at dwelling. The startup developed a medical-imaging system and accompanying app to determine illnesses like lung most cancers and hepatitis at an early stage. The expertise may also monitor continual illnesses affecting very important organs.
G-hcare
China
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: James Chiu
Key backers: BAI Capital, CCV Capital, Unity Ventures
G-hcare works with Chinese language insurers together with China Life, China Taiping and Ping An to develop and promote tailor-made life and healthcare insurance coverage merchandise. It additionally gives add-on providers equivalent to healthcare consulting and insurance coverage for abroad remedy, which its enterprise clients can then market to their customers.
GoKwik
GoKwik cofounders.
COURTESY OF GOKWIK
India
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Chirag Taneja
Key backers: Matrix Companions India, RTP International, Sequoia India, Suppose Investments
Launched through the pandemic, e-commerce startup GoKwik’s mission is to assist direct-to-consumer manufacturers and marketplaces enhance their gross sales. Its AI and machine studying software program assists on-line checkouts, mechanically correcting addresses and confirming orders. The startup claims it has been utilized by over 250 manufacturers, to assist create greater than $1 billion of gross merchandise worth.
GramHeet
COURTESY OF GRAMHEET
India
Class: Agriculture
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Pankaj Prakash Mahalle
Key backers: Acumen, Indian Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
GramHeet, a mix of two Marathi phrases that interprets into “prosperity of the village,” goals to assist India’s farmers retailer and revenue from their harvests. By its app, farmers can entry GramHeet’s storage providers, which the startup claims can enhance the shelf lifetime of grains by as much as 12 months, and immediately promote to patrons.
From left: Grand Rise Expertise cofounders Pauline Li and Tenny Lam.
COURTESY OF GRAND RISE TECHNOLOGY
Grand Rise Expertise
Hong Kong
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Tenny Lam
Key backers: HKSTP, Hong Kong Polytechnic College
Utilizing proprietary nanotechnology, biotech startup Grand Rise Expertise makes well being and security merchandise derived from biodegradable supplies, together with crustacean shells and thyme. The startup’s InnoCoatex antimicrobial coating is utilized to textiles like masks and wipes. It additionally makes an edible coating that may shield meals from germs and prolong the shelf lifetime of fruits. As sanitizing turns into the norm within the wake of the pandemic, Grand Rise Expertise says its formulation is safer than that of business disinfectants.
Grit Biotechnology
China
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Yarong Liu
Key backers: Apricot Capital, Decheng Capital, Hillhouse Capital, Matrix Companions China, Sherpa Capital
Novel cell remedy firm Grit Biotechnology seeks to deal with most cancers and tumors by enhancing lymphocytes, a sort of immune system cell. The startup extracts after which cultivates a affected person’s disease-fighting lymphocytes earlier than re-injecting the modified cells. Grit Biotechnology says it entered medical trials in China in April, having raised a complete of $40 million.
Gusto Collective
Hong Kong
Class: Leisure & Media
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Aaron Lau
Key backers: Animoca Manufacturers, Gaw Capital
Gusto Collective is taking advertising and marketing to the following stage, serving to manufacturers interact clients by way of metaverse expertise, together with digital and augmented actuality. In February, the startup partnered with public sale home Phillips to launch an NFT. Gusto Collective says it has about 90 purchasers, together with Sino Group and The Peninsula Inns.
Halter
New Zealand
Class: Agriculture
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Craig Piggott
Key backers: Blackbird Ventures, DCVC, Icehouse Ventures, Promus Ventures
Halter developed solar-powered, GPS-enabled digital collars for cows. The collars use noise and vibration to direct cows with out the necessity for farmhands, canine or fences, permitting farmers to handle and monitor their herds remotely by way of Halter’s accompanying app. The startup says the app can save as much as 20 hours of labor per week.
HiCura Medical
Singapore
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Cailin Ng
Key backers: Enterprise Singapore, Nationwide College of Singapore
Utilizing ultrasound imaging and AI, HiCura Medical developed a tool to assist anesthetists administer an epidural extra precisely to girls in labor. The startup claims its expertise improves the success charge for preliminary needle insertion.
HoloMatic
China
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Kai Ni
Key backers: BAI Capital, GAC Capital, IDG Capital, Sequoia China
Self-driving startup HoloMatic develops autonomous parking and autopiloting methods. Its HoloParking software program could be enabled remotely from a person’s smartphone and information vehicles into most popular parking spots. A strategic investor of the startup, China’s Guangzhou Vehicle Group will use HoloMatic autonomous driving software program in automobile fashions slated for market debut later this 12 months.
Homage founder and CEO Gillian Tee.
COURTESY OF HOMAGE
Homage
Singapore
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Gillian Tee
Key backers: East Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, HealthXCapital, Temasek
Impressed by the founder’s experiences of struggling to seek out caregivers for her unwell mom, Homage goals to assist clients shortly receive personalised medical assist for his or her family members. The startup’s healthcare providers platform caters to adults and the aged, connecting households with licensed caregivers, nurses, therapists and physicians. It claims its community of over 10,000 care professionals has rendered over 1 million hours of providers, together with physician consultations, in-home residing help, rehabilitation and specialised remedy for circumstances like Parkinson’s illness and dementia. Already obtainable in Malaysia and Australia, Homage plans to increase within the area with its $30 million funding spherical in September.
I2Cool
Courtesy of I2Cool
Hong Kong
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2021 • CEO: Martin Zhu
Key backers: China Prosperity Capital, Metropolis College of Hong Kong, HKSTP
I2Cool, a spin-off firm from Metropolis College of Hong Kong, invented an exterior paint to chill down scorching buildings. The startup’s iPaint displays daylight and dissipates thermal radiation to decrease indoor temperatures with out consuming power.
I-Kingtec
China
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Fangping Chen
Key backers: BlueRun Ventures, Hongtai Capital, Suzhou Industrial Park
IoT startup i-Kingtec develops industrial drones and associated analytics software program. The startup claims its Orca and Tiger Den drones are totally autonomous, with batteries that cost on return to a transportable management platform. The drones’ makes use of embrace constructing inspections and emergency rescues.
Igloocompany
COURTESY OF IGLOOCOMPANY
Singapore
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Anthony Chow
Key backers: EDBI, Insignia Ventures Companions, Kickstart Ventures, Wavemaker Companions
Igloocompany’s imaginative and prescient to “create a world with out keys” underlies its good entry administration merchandise. In addition to its good locks for properties, the corporate helps companies monitor, management and handle entry to properties and services like knowledge facilities. The startup says it remotely serves over 400 enterprise clients and has issued 5 million digital credentials, because the pandemic spurred demand for contactless entry.
Mind
Singapore
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Theodoric Chew
Key backers: East Ventures, Headline, HOF Capital, Insignia Ventures Companions, MS&AD Ventures, Y Combinator
Mind gives a variety of psychological well being providers to workforces throughout Asia by way of its app. Workers can communicate with behavioral well being coaches and subscribe to self-guided packages. The startup, which has raised $13 million in funding, says it has linked 3 million folks to psychological well being professionals throughout 20 international locations.
Inteluck
Inteluck CEO Kevin Zhang.
ADAM DEAN FOR FORBES ASIA
Philippines
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2014 • CEO: Kevin Zhang
Key backers: Creo Capital, East Ventures
The tech-driven logistics startup initially helped logistics corporations observe their automobile fleets. In the present day, its Philippine clients can ebook supply vehicles on demand from third-party logistics suppliers registered on Inteluck’s digital platform. Shoppers embrace Coca-Cola, Nestle and billionaire Lucio Tan’s Asia Brewery. The corporate goals to increase into Vietnam and Indonesia subsequent 12 months.
Jiwa Group
Indonesia
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Billy Kurniawan
Key backers: Capsquare Asia, Openspace Ventures
From a single espresso store in 2018, Jiwa Group now manages three meals and beverage chains, comprising over 1,000 shops in additional than 100 Indonesian cities. The corporate attributes its progress to collaborations with different manufacturers, together with these for cosmetics and attire.
Kargo Applied sciences
Indonesia
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Tiger Fang
Key backers: AC Ventures, AirAsia Group, Intudo Ventures, Sequoia India, Tenaya Capital
The Indonesia-based “Uber for vehicles” startup Kargo Applied sciences is attempting to deliver down logistics prices by eradicating middlemen and lowering empty journeys. The startup says it has 75,000 vehicles and 30,000 shippers on its platform, serving small and midsized companies and greater purchasers like Coca-Cola, Danone and Ula.
Kmong
South Korea
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2012 • CEO: Hyeonho Park
Key backers: Altos Ventures, Firm Ok Companions, IMM Funding, InterVest, Mirae Asset Enterprise Funding
Kmong is the biggest on-line freelance market in South Korea as measured by customers, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play retailer. In 2019, it launched an enterprise model of its platform that connects expert freelancers with employers. The Seoul-based startup raised $28 million in collection C funding in Might final 12 months.
Lifelab
South Korea
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Hyunjoo Yeon
Key backers: Altos Ventures, Daol Funding, Kakao Ventures
Lifelab operates Cleansing Lab, one of the standard house-cleaning apps in South Korea. The app, which connects cleaners with residents, has greater than 1 million downloads within the Google Play retailer. The Seongnam-based startup is led by Hyunjoo Yeon, the previous head of Kakao’s O2O dwelling providers enterprise.
Leapstack
China
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Jason Liu
Key backers: 360 DigiTech, Danhua Capital, Fomou Property, FinVolution Group, Gaorong Capital, Puhua Capital, Legend Capital, Lingfeng Capital, UpHonest Capital
Leapstack helps insurers in China management dangers, utilizing AI and large data-driven algorithms to calculate funds and detect potential abnormalities, equivalent to extreme charges and fraudulent claims. Constructing on its complete of $50 million in funding, the startup plans to increase outdoors mainland China—it’s already established places of work in Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Luup
COURTESY OF LUUP
Japan
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Daiki Okai
Key backers: ANRI, ENEOS Innovation Companions, East Ventures, FamilyMart, Obayashi Company, Mercuria Funding, Mori Belief, Spiral Capital, SMBC Enterprise Capital, Sankei Constructing
Mobility startup Luup affords a sharing service for electrical bikes and scooters. The startup says its 5,000 automobiles can be found within the Japanese cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Sendai and Yokohama. Going ahead, Luup plans to introduce rental choices with three and 4 wheels, which shall be extra accessible to the aged and other people with disabilities.
MagAssist founder and CEO Polin Hsu.
COURTESY OF MAGASSIST
MagAssist
China
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Polin Hsu
Key Backers: CDH Investments, Cenova Ventures, Guoqian Medical, Huatai Zijin Funding, Med-Wonderful Capital, Northern Gentle Enterprise Capital, Sequoia China, SND Ventures, TigerYeah Capital
Medtech startup MagAssist’s ventricular help system capabilities as a coronary heart outdoors the human physique, to offer life assist to sufferers with crucial coronary heart failure. Referred to as MoyoAssist, it makes use of magnetic levitation expertise and computational fashions to make sure blood circulate and stop blood clots. In June, a hospital in China’s Shanxi Province used the system to efficiently deal with a affected person in cardiac shock. A hospital in Wuhan in 2021 used it to offer life assist to a affected person ready for coronary heart surgical procedure.
Magnum Analysis
Hong Kong
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Kelvin Lei
Key backers: Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Cyberport, Lenovo Capital, Zheng He
The startup’s AI-powered app, referred to as Aqumon, gives automated monetary providers to retail and institutional buyers. Magnum Analysis says its software program leverages 100 terabytes of knowledge from over 100,000 monetary devices. In October 2020, the fintech startup raised $30 million in a funding spherical.
Manatal
Thailand
Class: Schooling & Recruitment
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Jeremy Fichet
Key backer: Sequoia India
Manatal’s AI-powered software program helps HR professionals sift by way of the web profiles of job seekers and determine candidates who finest match the position. The cloud-based recruitment software program developer additionally helps corporations distribute job openings on platforms equivalent to Careerjet, JobStreet and LinkedIn. The startup claims it has $5.1 million in funding.
Medici Vietnam
Vietnam
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Ngo Duc Anh
Key backers: Insignia Ventures Companions, Jungle Ventures, Wavemaker Companions
Combining medical providers and insurance coverage, Medici Vietnam goals to make high-quality healthcare “accessible, obtainable and inexpensive for each Vietnamese.” The startup says its digital ecosystem encompasses medical doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical corporations in over 63 provinces and cities. Thus far, its platform has added over 10,000 e-health profiles.
Meridian Innovation
Singapore
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Hock Leow
Key backers: Artistic Expertise, Excelpoint, Seeds Capital
With its patented thermal imaging applied sciences, Meridian Innovation developed a line of low-cost thermal sensors. Its merchandise are utilized in healthcare, transportation and good dwelling markets.
Merkle Science
Singapore
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Mriganka Pattnaik
Key backers: Darrow Holdings, Fenbushi Capital, Uncorrelated Ventures
Merkle Science develops compliance and danger monitoring software program for the crypto business. Its merchandise can analyze transactions, flag dangers and detect potential fraud.
Mobidoo
South Korea
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2013 • CEO: David Lee
Key backers: Capstone Companions, FuturePlay, Lotte Ventures, Samsung Subsequent, SparkLabs
Mobidoo is a one-stop reside procuring platform. It operates an app referred to as SauceLive, which permits corporations to promote their merchandise by way of procuring livestreams. Mobidoo additionally gives software program that analyzes buyer conduct, together with viewing time and buy conversion, and livestream-support providers, equivalent to content material planning and casting.
Momos
Singapore
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Sai Alluri
Key backers: Alpha Wave, HOF Capital, K3 Ventures, Sequoia India
Performing as a “mission management” for restaurateurs, Momos’ software program helps eating places digitalize their companies. Launched in 2020, through the peak of the pandemic, the software-as-a-service startup now has 60 staff in 4 international locations and says 1000’s of eating places use its time-management instruments and customer-response options, amongst others.
N.Code
N.Code CEO Jun Jung.
COURTESY OF N.CODE
South Korea
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Jun Jung
Key backers: Coolidge Nook Funding, MashUp Angels, Shinhan Enterprise Funding
N.Code is attempting to unravel one of many luxurious vogue business’s greatest issues: unsold stock. Its platform, referred to as D.Code, permits customers to pre-order luxurious objects in order that manufacturers can higher forecast demand, thereby lowering undesirable objects.
Novelship
Singapore
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Richard Xia
Key backers: East Ventures, GSR Ventures, K3 Ventures
Novelship operates a web based market for limited-edition sneakers, streetwear and different collectibles equivalent to electronics and collectible figurines. The startup claims to have a person base of half one million throughout the Asia-Pacific, together with Singapore, Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
NewBanker
China
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Qinghao Li
Key backers: GGV Capital, Hearst Ventures, ZhenFund
NewBanker faucets into China’s rising demand for wealth administration merchandise. It develops on-line advertising and marketing and consulting software program for monetary establishments equivalent to banks, public funds and securities corporations. In keeping with its web site, the startup works with dozens of prime funds in China together with China Retailers Fund Administration, Harvest Fund Administration and Yinhua Fund Administration.
OneDegree
Hong Kong
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Alvin Kwock
Key backers: Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, BitRock Capital, Cathay Enterprise, Cyberport, Solar Hung Kai & Co.
The insurtech startup’s first product was Pawfect Care, providing pet house owners insurance coverage for his or her cats or canine. Since then, OneDegree, which is considered one of 4 digital insurers in Hong Kong, has expanded into dwelling and fireplace insurance coverage, in addition to digital asset insurance coverage. The startup raised $28 million in an August 2021 funding spherical.
Opharmic Expertise
Hong Kong
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Langston Suen
Key backers: HKSTP, Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise, Pentepebble, Sino Group
Based by Langston Suen, a Ph.D. graduate of Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise, Opharmic Expertise is changing needle injections for remedy of retinal illness with ultrasound expertise. The corporate invented drug supply expertise that makes use of ultrasound to hurry up the absorption of medicine administered to the sclera (or white half) of the attention.
Park+
India
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Amit Lakhotia
Key backers: Epiq Capital, Matrix Companions India, Sequoia India
Park+ began as a platform that helped customers discover close by parking areas. It has since expanded into a number of auto-related providers equivalent to automobile washing, insurance coverage and toll fee. It additionally gives company purchasers with real-time parking knowledge, permitting them to handle parking areas.
Partly
New Zealand
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Levi Fawcett
Key backers: Blackbird Ventures, Hillfarrance Enterprise Capital, I2BF International Ventures, Icehouse Ventures
Partly helps companies all through the auto elements provide chain to arrange their knowledge on-line. Its software program options embrace PartsPal, a list administration software that may handle compatibility knowledge and connect with e-commerce platforms. With a complete of $3.8 million in funding, the startup says its providers attain 20 markets worldwide.
Payhere
Payhere CEO Jungi Park.
COURTESY OF PAYHERE
South Korea
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Jungi Park
Key backers: Hashed, Kimgisa Lab, Mirae Asset Capital, Postech Holdings, SoftBank Ventures Asia
Payhere operates cloud-based software program and an app that makes use of a buyer’s smartphone digicam to transact funds with out costly point-of-sale terminals. Greater than 20,000 brick-and-mortar shops in South Korea use Payhere, in keeping with the startup’s web site. In March, it raised about $9 million in collection A funding.
PeopleFund
PeopleFund CEO Joey Kim.
Courtesy of PEOPLEFUND
South Korea
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Joey Kim
Key backers: 500 International, Bain Capital, CLSA Capital Companions, D3 Jubilee Companions, Goldman Sachs, Kakao Pay
The fintech startup operates a peer-to-peer lending platform centered on South Korean subprime debtors, whose family debt ranks among the many world’s highest. PeopleFund says it has a low delinquency charge, because of its AI-powered credit-scoring system. The startup has raised about $80 million in funding, together with a $63 million collection C spherical in December.
Plask
South Korea
Class: Leisure & Media
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Junho Lee
Key backers: Bigbang Angels, KT Funding, Naver, Smilegate Funding, SpringCamp, Timewise funding
Plask’s AI-powered software allows even novices to create animations for video games and video content material utilizing only a webcam. The startup’s software program turns an individual’s motion captured by way of a webcam into movement knowledge and automates a lot of the animation work.
Pocket FM
India
Class: Leisure & Media
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Rohan Nayak
Key backers: Goodwater Capital, Lightspeed Enterprise Companions, Naver, Tanglin Enterprise Companions
Audio streaming startup Pocket FM goals to construct a completely personalised, seamless platform for audiobook and podcast content material. The startup claims its app options greater than 100,000 hours of content material in eight Indian languages, drawing over 15 million month-to-month energetic customers who tune in a median of 100 minutes a day.
Level Match Expertise
Courtesy of Level Match Expertise
Hong Kong
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Kenny Oktavius
Key backers: HKSTP, Hong Kong College of Science and Expertise
Level Match Expertise developed a pores and skin patch that goals to switch invasive blood exams. The patch analyzes chemical compounds in sweat to watch well being, equivalent to lactic acid for athletes and glucose ranges for aged folks. The startup’s expertise in July gained the highest prize at a enterprise proposal contest sponsored by Japanese sporting items firm Asics.
Qapita
Singapore
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Ravi Ravulaparthi
Key backers: Alto Companions, East Ventures, Endiya Companions, K3 Ventures, MassMutual Ventures, NYCA Companions, Vulcan Capital
Qapita automates fairness possession administration for corporations by way of its capitalization desk and worker inventory possession plans (ESOP) administration software program. The startup says greater than 700 clients and 22,000 stakeholders throughout Singapore, India and Indonesia use its software program. Qapita has raised greater than $32 million in funding.
Quad Miners
South Korea
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Ven Park
Key backers: Bigbang Angels, Korea Credit score Assure Fund, L&S Enterprise Capital, NAU IB Capital, Companions Funding
The cybersecurity firm’s software program merchandise can detect safety threats, equivalent to inner leakage, and analyze irregular community conduct. Quad Miners chief expertise officer Felix Kim was beforehand a safety marketing consultant at Cisco and a safety engineer at Symantec (now referred to as NortonLifeLock). The startup raised about $6.5 million in collection A funding in June.
Remo Tech
China
Class: Shopper Expertise
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Bo Liu
Key backers: Bohai Industrial Funding Fund Administration, Forebright Capital, Sequoia China
Remo Tech’s cameras use AI-powered chips to trace motion in entrance of the lens, from gesture controls to bounce strikes. The corporate claims it has secured over 100 patents. Greatest recognized for its Obsbot line of good webcams and cellphone mounts, the corporate sells the cameras primarily in Europe, Japan and the U.S.
Safe Code Warrior
Australia
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Pieter Danhieux
Key backers: AirTree Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Paladin Capital Group
Cybersecurity startup Safe Code Warrior gives coaching, consulting and evaluation providers to builders in order that they’ll write safe code. The corporate says it has labored with greater than 400 organizations worldwide. Its purchasers embrace Atlassian, DBS and Zoom.
Sehat Kahani
Pakistan
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Sara Saeed Khurram
Key backers: 10Pearls Ventures, Elahi Group, Influence Funding Trade, Islamic Improvement Financial institution
Based by two medical medical doctors, Sehat Kahani’s platform gives telemedicine providers by connecting sufferers in distant areas with medical doctors. In keeping with the startup, greater than half of Pakistan’s 220 million inhabitants lack entry to high quality healthcare. Sehat Kahani says its platform has facilitated 1.2 million medical consultations so far with 800 medical consultants.
Courtesy of Seoul Robotics
Seoul Robotics
South Korea
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Hanbin Lee
Key backers: KB Funding, Korea Improvement Financial institution
Aiming to turn into the Microsoft of lidar, Seoul Robotics is increasing the usage of the laser-based expertise past autonomous driving. Its software program, referred to as Sensr, makes use of AI to investigate lidar knowledge to detect, classify and observe objects and other people for industrial operations, good metropolis infrastructure, safety and retail, amongst different purposes. Seoul Robotics says Sensr is at the moment used to watch pedestrian security and detect obstacles on roads. Its purchasers embrace German carmakers BMW—which is utilizing the software program to automate fleet logistics at a producing plant—and Mercedes-Benz. The startup additionally partnered with Nasdaq-listed Velodyne Lidar, backed by Amazon, to develop workplace monitoring tech for Qualcomm.
Shanghai DeepSight Info Expertise
China
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Michael Li
Key backers: CCV Capital, Chenhui Enterprise Companions, Shunwei Capital, SND Monetary Holdings, Zizhu Nationwide Excessive-Tech Industrial Improvement Park
Led by former Intel laptop imaginative and prescient scientist Michael Li, DeepSight faucets into the rising want for sooner and automatic high quality inspection at Chinese language factories. The startup’s AI software program identifies doubtlessly faulty objects, alerting producers to issues equivalent to scratches and filth spots on metals, tires and small digital elements.
Shikho
Bangladesh
Class: Schooling & Recruitment
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Shahir Chowdhury
Key backers: DSG Shopper Companions, Be taught Capital, Wavemaker Companions
Cofounded by a graduate of Harvard’s Schooling Faculty, Shikho is a tutoring platform that prepares college students for Bangladesh’s highschool exams by way of reside lectures, on-line mock exams, notes and animations. The startup estimates it has 500,000 each day customers.
Spaceship
From left: Spaceship cofounders Wun Chi Lam and Stanley Wong.
COURTESY OF SPACESHIP
Hong Kong
Class: Logistics & Transportation
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Wun Chi Lam
Key backers: 500 International, HKSTP, Paragon Funding, ParticleX, SparkLabs Taipei
Spaceship’s logistics and supply-chain administration system covers first-mile logistics, cross-border transport, achievement providers and last-mile supply. The startup, which expanded into Taiwan in March, says it has processed greater than 2.5 million merchandise shipments so far. Spaceship has raised greater than $6 million in funding to date, together with a funding spherical in Might.
TartanSense
India
Class: Agriculture
12 months based: 2015 • CEO: Jaisimha Rao
Key backers: Beenext, Blume Ventures, FMC Ventures, Omnivore
Armed with {an electrical} and laptop engineering diploma from Carnegie Mellon College, Jaisimha Rao is utilizing AI and robotic applied sciences to make farmers’ lives simpler. His agtech startup says it has developed a precision-spraying system that may cut back water and chemical utilization by as much as 70%. One other AI-powered product is claimed to assist farmers take away weeds with out utilizing chemical compounds.
Telexistence
Courtesy of Telexistence
Japan
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Jin Tomioka
Key backers: Airbus Ventures, KDDI Open Innovation Fund, Monoful, Softbank Group, College of Tokyo
AI and robotics startup Telexistence developed TX Scara, a robotic arm that mechanically replenishes empty retailer cabinets. The system could be managed remotely by workers outfitted with VR helmets. Japanese comfort retailer chain FamilyMart makes use of TX Scara gadgets to restock canned drinks, in keeping with the startup.
The Parentinc
The Parentinc founder and CEO Roshni Mahtani Cheung.
COURTESY OF THE PARENTINC
Singapore
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2009 • CEO: Roshni Mahtani Cheung
Key backers: Central Retail Company, East Ventures, Fosun Worldwide, WHG Holdings
The Parentinc is finest recognized for its neighborhood platform, theAsianparent, that gives content material associated to parenting and being pregnant in 11 languages throughout 12 international locations, it says. The corporate additionally sells halal nursing and baby-care merchandise, equivalent to therapeutic massage oil and stretch mark cream underneath the Mama’s Selection model.
Thriday
Australia
Class: Finance
12 months based: 2021 • CEO: Michael Nuciforo
Key backer: AfterWork Ventures
Thriday, previously referred to as Thrive, is an accounting app that manages funds for small companies. It automates bookkeeping by scanning receipts and estimating taxes, amongst different capabilities. CEO Michael Nuciforo was beforehand the pinnacle of cellular at Lloyds Banking Group and senior cellular banking supervisor at ANZ.
Toss Lab
Toss Lab cofounders.
COURTESY OF TOSS LAB
South Korea
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2014 • CEO: Matt Kim
Key backers: Atinum Funding, Should Asset Administration, Qualcomm Ventures, SBI Funding Korea, Shinhan Capital, SoftBank Ventures Asia, SparkLabs, TInvestment
Aiming to turn into the Slack of Asia, Toss Lab’s workplace-collaboration software, Jandi, is out there in Korean, Chinese language, Japanese and Vietnamese, in addition to English. The startup says its clients embrace Lotte Division Retailer, Korean furnishings maker Hanssem and LG CNS, LG Group’s IT providers unit. Toss Lab raised $13 million in collection B funding in 2020.
Ubie
Ubie cofounders Kota Kubo and Yoshinori Abe.
COURTESY OF UBIE
Japan
Class: Biotechnology & Healthcare
12 months based: 2017 • CEOs: Yoshinori Abe, Kota Kubo
Key backers: D4V, K4 Ventures, SBI Funding, Suzuken
Ubie’s AI-powered diagnostic app helps customers determine their medical circumstances, from diabetes to congestive coronary heart failure, primarily based on signs crammed out in a questionnaire. The startup says it’s attracted 5 million month-to-month customers in Japan. It seeks recent progress within the U.S., the place it formally launched its providers in April.
Una Manufacturers
Singapore
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Kiren Tanna
Key backers: 468 Capital, 500 International, Alpha JWC Ventures, Claret Capital Companions, International Founders Capital, Kingsway Capital, White Star Capital
The e-commerce aggregator acquires native manufacturers with the goal of rising them into regional gamers utilizing its progress capital and retail experience. So far, it has purchased greater than 20 corporations, together with Singaporean ergonomic furnishings manufacturers ErgoTune and EverDesk+. In March, Una Manufacturers introduced a partnership with KlickBrands to increase its presence in South Korea.
Upmesh
Upmesh cofounders.
COURTESY OF UPMESH
Singapore
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Wong Zi Yang
Key backers: Beenext, Monk’s Hill Ventures
Upmesh goals to reinvent procuring by merging retail and leisure. Its platform helps retailers promote merchandise by way of livestreams on Fb and Instagram Dwell, managing orders in real-time. On-line sellers can ship checkout hyperlinks to viewers who remark throughout livestreams and think about analytics about bestselling objects or person conduct.
Verihubs
Indonesia
Class: Enterprise Expertise
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: Rick Firnando
Key backers: Insignia Ventures Companions, Quantity Capital, Y Combinator
Verification platform Verihubs makes use of AI-based authentication expertise to forestall monetary fraud. Counting purchasers equivalent to considered one of Indonesia’s largest banks, Financial institution Central Asia, and e-commerce agency Bukalapak, the startup says it authenticated over 36 million customers previously 12 months, with its income rising by 50 occasions over that interval.
Vesta
China
Class: E-commerce & Retail
12 months based: 2020 • CEO: Gu Zhenyu
Key backers: K2VC, Sequoia China, Tiantu Capital
Vesta makes mattress linen with eco-friendly supplies equivalent to silk, bamboo fiber and recycled PET plastic. These supplies permit the corporate to design blankets and pillows that it claims assist regulate physique temperature by enhancing airflow and directing warmth away from the physique. The startup says it makes most of its cash by way of gross sales outdoors of China, with clients in Australia, Canada, Singapore and the U.S.
VFlowTech
Courtesy of VFlowTech
Singapore
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2018 • CEO: Avishek Kumar
Key backers: Enterprise Singapore, Sing Fuels, Wavemaker Companions
Because the world turns to renewable power, VFlowTech goals to develop the most affordable and most scalable vanadium redox circulate (V-flow) batteries. The startup says its energy-storage system has an anticipated lifespan of 25 years with low value of possession, thereby avoiding the potential pitfalls of large-scale purposes of lithium-ion batteries.
ViAct
Hong Kong
Class: Building & Engineering
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Gary Ng
Key backers: Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Artesian, ParticleX, SOSV, Vectr Ventures
ViAct’s AI-powered software program helps determine harmful conduct and environmental dangers at development websites by way of video cameras. Utilizing gentle and sound to alert development staff, ViAct says its software program can cut back as much as 95% of on-site accidents. It may well additionally observe development progress and carbon emissions.
Vow
Australia
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2019 • CEO: George Peppou
Key backers: Blackbird Ventures, Grok Ventures, Sq. Peg Capital, Toyota Ventures
The foodtech startup produces lab-grown meat from animal cells, together with conventional meats like hen and beef and extra unique fare like lions and tigers. Vow constructed its first cultivated meat manufacturing unit in Sydney in July and is getting ready to launch a quail product in Singapore later this 12 months. Vow has raised about $14 million in funding.
WAD
South Korea
Class: Meals & Hospitality
12 months based: 2017 • CEO: Yong Tae-soon
Key backers: Altos Ventures, DSC Funding, InterVest
WAD operates a real-time restaurant reservation platform referred to as CatchTable. In keeping with the startup, the platform hosts about 3,000 eating places all through South Korea. Customers may also write and browse restaurant opinions. In April, WAD raised 30 billion gained (about $25 million) in collection C funding.
Workmate
Courtesy of Workmate
Singapore
Class: Schooling & Recruitment
12 months based: 2016 • CEO: Mathew Ward
Key backers: Atlas Ventures, Gobi Companions, Wavemaker Companions
Previously referred to as Helpster, Workmate connects gig staff with corporations in sectors starting from hospitality to logistics. The startup has places of work in Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore.
Forbes Asia
