Comment
India's unicorn boom shows no signs of slowdown
Startups that meet demand for business services are growing rapidly
Startups
Grab lowers 2021 earnings projection as COVID hobbles ASEAN
Singapore 'super app' gains 62% in GMV as net loss widens to $815 million in Q2
Interview
Venture capital doubles down on Southeast Asian tech
Prominent investors Jungle Ventures and 500 Startups eye unicorns nearing IPOs
Japan immigration
Japan turns to tech to help foreign blue-collar workers
Businesses under pressure to address labor issues and meet UN standards
DealStreetAsia
Alibaba-backed fund invests in Vietnamese food chain Homefarm
The investor is branching out into the emerging markets of Southeast Asia
Education
Byju's buys exam coaching startup in India edtech push
Online education company has been on shopping spree this year
Business trends
Singapore is top in luring ASEAN-focused fund managers
Welcoming policies in tax and corporate structure draw in venture capital
Startups
'Spider-fiber' tailor nabs Carlyle's first funding of Japan startup
Spiber nets $300m to bolster American production
DealStreetAsia
Indonesia's Traveloka to suspend merger talks with a SPAC
The unicorn's plan shaken by waning SPAC market
China tech
Ant forays into 5,000 Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok eateries
Alipay operator invests in Chope app as it looks beyond ASEAN payments market
Media & Entertainment
Thailand jockeying for world supremacy in a cat game
Simple Popcat helps people let off steam during lockdown
Business deals
PayPal to acquire Japan's Paidy for $2.7bn
Aims to boost Japan business with new cross-border e-commerce payment services
Startups
'Indonesia-only' Intudo Ventures raises $115m in latest fund
Cash haul in less than 3 months comes on back of Bukalapak euphoria
SoftBank
SoftBank to build startup campus in Japan's Aichi Prefecture
Tech group also planning to launch fund to boost new domestic tech companies
DealStreetAsia
Bangladeshi retail tech startup raises $74m from US fund
ShopUp to expand mobile-first digital platform for mom-and-pop shops
Food & Beverage
Corporate Japan opens wallet for Miracle Meat maker
$27m haul will help Daiz improve soy meat and grow sales network
DealStreetAsia
Vietnam merchant-platform startup raises $45m from KKR
KiotViet to use fresh capital for expansion into finance and logistics
Startups
Japanese vehicle maker jumps into microfinance in India
With banks pinched, Terra Motors offers prospective buyers its own auto loans
36Kr/KrASIA
Chinese startup unveils AR eyewear for hearing-impaired people
LLVision glasses display text of conversations to increase comprehension
Markets
Singapore Exchange cuts required SPAC market cap by 50% to $112m
Such entities must merge with targets within 24 months under new framework
DealStreetAsia
Alibaba-backed Chinese car wash YGL achieves unicorn status
Hangzhou-based startup eyes global market and self-drive tech
Finance
Dutch Prosus buys Indian online payments giant BillDesk for $4.7bn
Deal will involve merging with PayU, which is already present in 20 markets
Economy
Singapore eyes gig worker welfare in wake-up call for ASEAN startups
PM Lee 'especially concerned' about lack of security for delivery drivers
Opinion
The best news Japan has had in years can save Yoshihide Suga
Kathy Matsui and Masayoshi Son add firepower to the local startup scene
China tech
KiloX robots inspect industrial sites in place of humans
Targeting power companies, Chinese startup collects data to refine its offerings