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Hello reader,
Some problems are universal and timeless. Take payments, for instance – wherever you are in the world, there’s always someone trying to figure out how to make the process of exchanging money for goods faster, better, and more frictionless. We’ve come a long way from counting coins at cash registers.
How about identity protection and verification? False identities have always been a concern, but while in the past you’d be worried about fake IDs and uncanny impersonations, we’re now fretting about making sure people are who they say they are in the digital space.
The companies that raised the most funds this week are all dealing with challenges that are tales as old as time – and that’s cool, because it means we keep innovating and trying to come up with better ways to do things. Yay.
You can find all other important investment deals that happened in the last few days in our weekly funding news wrap-up.
Let’s dive into the biggest deals that recently took place.
— Stefanie
The biggest deals by country
🇨🇳 Leadsynbio develops bio-manufacturing technology. Based in China, it raised US$67 million in a late-stage funding round from Beijing Chuangke Zhisheng Investment, Harvest Capital, Hunan Caixin Investment Holding Group, Hunan Chasing Financial, Oriza Holdings, and Suzhou Industrial Investment.
🇸🇦 Erad, an alternative financing platform from Saudi Arabia, bagged US$22 million in series A funding. Investors in the round include 500 Global, Aljazira Capital, Arāya Ventures, Conjunction Capital, Joa Capital, Khwarizmi Ventures, Middle East Venture Partners, Nuwa Capital, Oraseya Capital, S60 Ventures, Saudi Venture Capital, and ANB Capital.
🇸🇬 iPiD’s solution makes cross-border payments as easy as text messages or scanning a QR code. The Singapore-based firm raised US$16 million in series A funding from Citi, Foundation Capital, HSBC, Monk’s Hill Ventures, QED Investors, and Quona Capital.
🇮🇱 Rig Security is a identity security platform from Israel, which is in West Asia. It bagged US$12 million in seed money from Brightmind Partners, CrowdStrike, Ten Eleven Ventures, and Ami Luttwak.
🇮🇳 Balwaan Krishi is an India-based online seller of agricultural products focused on farm mechanization. It raised US$10.4 million in series B funding from First Bridge Investment Managers.
Startups that are raising funds
Behind the Glasswall
Exclusive listicles
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