Singapore AI startup Sentient bags series A money to expand overseas

Singapore-based AI firm Sentient.io today announced that it has secured an undisclosed amount of series A funding in a round led by Japanese internet company Digital Garage Group.

Other investors include deep-tech accelerator Leave a Nest and ABC Dream Ventures, the corporate venture capital firm of Japanese TV broadcasting firm Asahi.

The latest round brings Sentient’s total funding to US$5 million, according to a statement.

Sentient founder and CEO Christopher Yeo / Photo credit: Christopher Yeo

With the investment, the company looks to meet the increasing demand related to digital transformation and set up sales offices in Japan this year. It also plans to scale up its presence in Singapore and overseas, with planned expansions to Indonesia and the US, said Sentient CEO and founder Christopher Yeo.

Founded in 2017, Sentient provides pre-trained AI microservices for software developers to help them create smart applications for big data owners such as telcos, manufacturers, governments, and mass media companies.

Its early backers include Origgin, Beenext, and Accelerate, the commercializing arm of Agency for Science, Technology, and Research.

“Sentient.io will continue to raise funds from the international financial markets to enable us to expand our talent in research, sales, and engineering, with a strategic focus on developing businesses in the urban living, digital economy, and next-generation wellness industries as an AI service provider,” Yeo said.

According to Statista, the AI market in Asia Pacific is expected to reach around US$12.4 billion by 2025, up from US$1.4 billion last year.