9 rising startups in Southeast Asia you need to look at

Which are the startups that are on the path to becoming the next big thing? In this regular post, we give you an overview of the companies that have raised money in the past week, as well as those that we think investors should look at. Want your startup featured on this list? Details below.

1. First Circle (Philippines)

Using its own credit assessment process, First Circle lends to SMEs, which are often ignored by banks because they’re perceived to be a greater risk than large established firms.

Amount raised: US$26 million
Round: Series A
Investors: Venturra Capital led the round, with Insignia Ventures Partners, Silverhorn Investment Advisors, and Tryb Group joining in.
Source: Tech in Asia

2. AI Grid Foundation (Singapore)

AI Grid Foundation aims to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as solar power. But rather than making use of traditional power plants, it will tap individual customers to generate, store, and distribute power in community microgrids.

Amount raised: US$20 million
Round: Undisclosed
Investors: OK Blockchain Capital, Krypital Group, Starwin Capital, Fenbushi Capital, LD Capital, Horman Capital, Collinstar Capital, Interblock Capital, JRR Crypto, Fly Fund, Qingzheng Capital, Decentrust Capital, Powerlink Labs, GVC.PE, and Ceyuan Digital Assets
Source: Tech in Asia

3. MobilityX (Singapore)

MobilityX is a Singapore-based “mobility-as-a-service” startup owned by the city-state’s largest transport operator, SMRT Corporation. MobilityX essentially allows transport operators to run their own multi-modal versions of transportation network apps like Grab or Uber.

Amount raised: Undisclosed
Round: Series A
Investors: Toyota Tsusho led the round
Source: Tech in Asia

4. Xjera Labs (Singapore)

Xjera Labs is working on automated surveillance with Changi Airport as a customer. It uses a mix of video and audio analytics to detect anomalies and reduce false positives.

Amount raised: Undisclosed
Round: Grant
Investors: The Infocomm Media Development Authority, and the Ministry of Home Affairs
Source: Tech in Asia

5. UberGard (Singapore)

UberGard is improving and even replacing the management of physical keys in premises. It’s testing a system that enables building access to a person through automated key retrieval, key-press access, iris scans, and facial recognition.

Amount raised: Undisclosed
Round: Grant
Investors: The Infocomm Media Development Authority, and the Ministry of Home Affairs
Source: Tech in Asia

6. Arkemis (Singapore)

Arkemis will pilot a security command center at various condominiums. The new center aims to make security management more efficient.

Amount raised: Undisclosed
Round: Grant
Investors: The Infocomm Media Development Authority, and the Ministry of Home Affairs
Source: Tech in Asia

7. Chate Sat (Myanmar)

Chate Sat is a freelancer platform. It has 14,000 freelancers on its website, covering web and mobile development, designers, marketers, and more.

Amount raised: Six-figure US dollars
Round: Bridge
Investors: Singapore angel investors Willy Ballmann and Keizo Fujitake
Source: DealStreetAsia

8. XRVision (Singapore)

9. Analisa (Indonesia)