Live streaming is the future (and we’re there for it)

Introducing M17 Entertainment, Vertex Growth’s newest portfolio company.

If you cross paths with Ya in Taipei, she might seem like a typical young working adult, but she is quite special. Ya starts her day by greeting her fan group (yes, she has one) online via live streaming app 17 Media, the flagship entertainment service under the M17 Entertainment Group (“M17”). At night, Ya morphs from her usual quiet self to a starlet who is comfortably chatting and engaging with her audience online, quickly commanding thousands of viewers on her live stream channel in a few short minutes.

VCs in Southeast Asia lie in wait, even as valuations soften

STARTUP valuations in South-east Asia are beginning to soften as the industry comes to terms with the economic impact of Covid-19, venture capital (VC) investors told The Business Times. But VCs aren't in a hurry to go bargain-hunting, as they keep a close watch on fundamentals while sourcing for deals.

Geek+ brings warehouse robots to US via Conveyco partnership

Robots will soon be seen roaming a number of warehouse floors across North America. Geek+, a well-funded Chinese robotics company that specializes in logistics automation for factories, warehouses and supply chains, furthers its expansion in North America after striking a strategic partnership with Conveyco, an order fulfillment and distribution center system integrator with operations across the continent.

Nium announce expansion of new remittance corridors for KasikornBank

Announcement on the expansion of remittance routes comes after a year of successful partnership with KasikornBank (KBank) that saw Nium processing over THB 4 billion worth of remittance volume from developed markets corridors. The new routes will see additions of remittance corridors from markets in Asia-Pacific including Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Validus secures US$20M in ongoing Series B funding round to strengthen SEA presence

Singapore startup Validus has secured US$20 million in an ongoing Series B round from investment firm Vertex Growth Fund and Kuok Group’s Orion Fund managed by K3 Venture Partners. The new capital will be used by the company to invest in technology and data capabilities to further improve the use of its AI and machine learning as well as to establish a strong presence in the ASEAN market. It has also revealed plans to fund its new upcoming venture in Thailand which has been slated for Q4 2020.

M17 Entertainment Limited Announces US$26.5 Million in Series D funding led by Vertex Growth

M17 Entertainment Limited ("M17"), operator of the largest live streaming platform for Developed Asia, today announced that it has secured US$26.5 million in Series D funding. The Series D round is led by Vertex Growth Fund, alongside Stonebridge Korea Unicorn Venture Fund, Innoven Capital Singapore, Kaga Electronics Co., Ltd., and ASE Global Group in New York.