Asia
The latest startup and technology news coming out of Asia.
Google’s updated AI-powered NotebookLM expands to India, UK and over 200 other countries
Google on Thursday said it is rolling out NotebookLM, its AI-powered note-taking assistant, to over 200 new countries, nearly six months after opening its access in the U.S. The platform,…
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Amazon buys Indian video streaming service MX Player
Amazon has agreed to acquire key assets of Indian video streaming service MX Player from the local media powerhouse Times Internet, the latest step by the e-commerce giant to make its services and brand popular in smaller cities and towns in the key overseas market. The two firms reached a…
Temasek, Fidelity buy $200M stake in Lenskart at $5B valuation
Temasek has previously invested in Lenskart, and this new funding follows a $500 million investment by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority last year.
VC firm Antler’s CEO says Asia presents ‘biggest opportunity’ in the world for growth
We caught up with Antler founder and CEO Magnus Grimeland about the startup scene in Asia, the current tech startup trends in the region and investment approaches during the rise…
Stripe, the world’s most valuable fintech startup, said on Friday that it will temporarily move to an invite-only model for new account sign-ups in India, calling the move “a tough…
Archer, Kakao Mobility partner to bring electric air taxis to South Korea in 2026
Archer Aviation is partnering with ride-hailing and parking company Kakao Mobility to bring electric air taxi flights to South Korea starting in 2026, if the company can get its aircraft…
Fertility remains a pressing concern around the world — birthrates are down in many countries, and infertility rates (that is, the inability to conceive) are up. Rhea, a Singapore- and…
Ambani’s Reliance fires opening salvo in fintech battle, launches JioFinance app
With JioFinance, the Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani is making his boldest consumer-facing move yet into financial services.
India’s Agnikul launches 3D-printed rocket in suborbital test after initial delays
After two years of preparation and four delays over the past several months due to technical glitches, Indian space startup Agnikul has successfully launched its first suborbital test vehicle, powered…
Chinese EV makers, and their connected vehicles, targeted by new House bill
Chinese EV manufacturers face a new challenge in their pursuit of U.S. customers: a new House bill that would limit or ban the introduction of their connected vehicles. The bill,…
China’s $47B semiconductor fund puts chip sovereignty front and center
China has closed a third state-backed investment fund to bolster its semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on other nations, both for using and manufacturing wafers — prioritizing what is called…
MARS doubles down on India’s Infra.Market with new $50M investment
Infra.Market, an Indian startup that helps construction and real estate firms procure materials, has raised $50M from MARS Unicorn Fund.
Adani looks to battle Reliance, Walmart in India’s e-commerce, payments race, report says
India’s Adani Group is in discussions to venture into digital payments and e-commerce, according to a report.
Indian EV startup Zypp Electric secures backing to fund expansion to Southeast Asia
Indian startup Zypp Electric plans to use fresh investment from Japanese oil and energy conglomerate ENEOS to take its EV rental service into Southeast Asia early next year, TechCrunch has…
Jio Financial unit to buy $4.32B of telecom gear from Reliance Retail
A Jio Financial unit plans to purchase customer premises equipment and telecom gear worth $4.32 billion from Reliance Retail.
Oyo, once valued at $10 billion, shelves IPO plans for second time
India’s Oyo, once valued at $10 billion, has withdrawn its IPO application from the market regulator for the second time.
Paytm, a leading financial services firm in India, said its net loss widened in the fourth quarter as it grappled with a regulatory clampdown.
In Seoul summit, heads of states and companies commit to AI safety
Government officials and AI industry executives agreed on Tuesday to apply elementary safety measures in the fast-moving field and establish an international safety research network. Nearly six months after the…
Alchemist’s latest batch puts AI to work as accelerator expands to Tokyo, Doha
Alchemist Accelerator has a new pile of AI-forward companies demoing their wares today, if you care to watch, and the program itself is making some international moves into Tokyo and…
A Singapore High Court has effectively approved Pine Labs’ request to shift its operations to India.
A hacker listed the data allegedly breached from Samco on a known cybercrime forum.
Indian insurance startup Go Digit raises $141M from anchor investors ahead of IPO
Go Digit, an Indian insurance startup, has raised $141 million from investors, including Goldman Sachs, ADIA, and Morgan Stanley, as part of its IPO.
Accion’s new $152.5M fund will back financial institutions serving small businesses globally
For over six decades, the nonprofit has been active in the financial services sector.
Meta’s Oversight Board overturns takedown decision for Pakistan child abuse documentary
The Oversight Board has overturned Meta’s decision to take down a documentary revealing the identities of child abuse victims in Pakistan.
Uber to acquire Foodpanda’s Taiwan unit from Delivery Hero for $950M in cash
Uber Technologies announced Tuesday that it will buy the Taiwan unit of Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda for $950 million in cash. The deal is part of Uber Eats’ strategy to expand…
Google partners with Airtel to offer cloud and GenAI products to Indian businesses
Airtel, India’s second-largest telco, is partnering with Google Cloud to develop and deliver cloud and GenAI solutions to Indian businesses.
Meesho, an Indian social commerce platform with 150M transacting users, raises $275M
Meesho, a leading e-commerce startup in India, has secured $275 million in a new funding round.
Scammers found planting online betting ads on Indian government websites
Some Indian government websites have allowed scammers to plant advertisements capable of redirecting visitors to online betting platforms. TechCrunch discovered around four dozen “gov.in” website links associated with Indian states,…
Garena is quietly making India-themed games even as Free Fire’s relaunch remains doubtful
Garena is quietly developing new India-themed games even though Free Fire, its biggest title, has still not made a comeback to the country.
AI chip startup DEEPX secures $80M Series C at a $529M valuation
The Series C funding, which brings its total raise to around $95 million, will go toward mass production of the startup’s inaugural products
