Sign up for the Daily Newsletter, sent exclusively to our premium subscribers. We break down the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community. Get the newsletter in your inbox everyday with a premium subscription.
Hello reader,
I’m quite literally in two minds about the ecommerce industry.
As a consumer, I’m all for the convenience of being able to get almost everything I need and want by just tapping a few buttons on my phone. My wife and I buy almost everything our dog needs online – I’ve never had to lug a heavy bag of dog food back from the store, let alone five (the amount we buy every two months or so).
On the other hand, ecommerce has also brought us the sustainability nightmare that is fast fashion. Additionally, on the business side, the continuing battle to gain market share is extremely expensive – the US$230 million Lazada has just received from Alibaba takes the parent company’s investment to US$7.7 billion over the last eight years.
Is it all worth it, either in the business or social sense? I’m not 100% sure.
Image credit: Timmy Loen
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 and M&As that recently took place.
The biggest deals by market
🇸🇬 Ecommerce major Lazada received an injection of US$230 million from parent company Alibaba Group.
🇮🇳 India-based Propelld, which offers flexible education financing products, has received US$25 million in debt funding. AU Small Finance Bank, Credit Saison India, InCred, and Northern Arc Capital were the investors.
🇦🇪 Hailing from the United Arab Emirates, Merit Incentives offers customer and employee engagement solutions. It secured US$12 million in bridge funding from Alistithmar Capital, Oryx Fund, and Tech Invest Com.
M&As
Startups that are raising funds
Behind the Glasswall
RSVP now to spice up your app with extra pho-lavor
Exclusive listicles
Thoughtful reads
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
