5 in 5 minutes - March 17th

KKday launches in Thailand, targeting millennials

Taiwan-based KKday, an online travel discovery platform has expanded in Thailand. The company targets at helping millennial travelers in Thailand to find and experience local tour experiences not offered by traditional travel agencys.

KKday has raised US$11.5 million in funding from from Monk’s Hill Ventures, AppWorks, Mindworks Ventures, Cathay Venture, Substance Capital (HK) and 91Capital. Launched in 2014, KKday has launched its service in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, providing more than 6,000 travel experiences from 53 countries and 174 cities, including Americas and Europe.

honestbee launches grocery delivery service in Bangkok

The Singapore-based grocery delivery startup has expanded to Bangkok. Partnering with Thai supermarket chain Villa Market, honestbee's delivery service promises same-day delivery.

Honestbee raised US$15 million in a Series A round in 2015. The startup currently operates in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, with over 1,200 shoppers and 146 full-time employees.

Singapore's Ematic raises US$2.4M to enhance AI-based email marketing tools

Singapore-based Ematic has raised US$2.4 million in a Pre-Series A round from Walden International, Wavemaker Partners, MDI Ventures and Convergence Ventures. The funding will be used to fuel its market expansion, recruitment and product development.

Founded in 2012, Ematic analyses subscriber behaviour to deliver optimised email marketing campaigns via a series of algorithms.

International Finance Corporation to fund SeedPlus to support early stage startups in Asia

International Finance Corporation (IFC) has made US $2 million equity investment in Singapore-based VC firm SeedPlus, with the aim to support early-stage startups in Asia. The investment will power SeedPlus to support up to 20 startups and fill the early-stage capital funding gap in the region.

Launched by  VC firm Jungle Ventures, SeedPlus invests up to US$1 million in each startup in Asia. Founded in 2012, the startup has a team of 110 employees.

500Startups and Golden Gate Ventures invest US$1.2 million in Singapore's Homage

Homeage, a Singapore-based online platform that provides caregiving solution to elderly in Singapore. It has secured US$1.2 million in seed funding from 500Startups, Golden Gate Ventures and SeedPlus. The funding will be used to power its product development and operation.

Founded in 2016, the startup has raised an angel funding from famous entrepreneurs including Huang Shao-Ning and Lim Dershing (co-founders of local career portal JobsCentral) and Phey Teck Moh (former President of Motorola Solutions, Asia Pacific).