Week in Review: DNA is global tech media too
- GrabTaxi sizzles with Series B, tale damaged by using TechCrunch
- BolehVPN’s revel in shows banks suffering with virtual models
THIS has been a impressive week for the atmosphere with lots of thrilling news, starting from the CatchThatBus (maybe they should rebrand to GrabThatBus?) elevating funding in Singapore, envisioned to be within the low seven-digit figures, to GrabTaxi raising an first-rate Series B quantity of more than US$15 million (RM48.2 million).
There was news other than investment too, but let me start out with GrabTaxi, as that is the primary time in DNA’s two-year records that a startup has raised such a big amount, and from international investors. The round become led by Silicon Valley-based totally GGV Capital with participation from new investor Qunar and current investor Vertex Venture Holdings, which is Singapore’s oldest venture capital company.
This is not the unmarried largest quantity raised by using a tech company although, with that honour going to Matt Chandran and his advanced medical informatics company iGene Sdn Bhd, which raised US$22.7 million (RM70 million) in January 2013 from Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM), a central authority-backed agency selling an innovation time table.
Even while you combine GrabTaxi’s in advance quantity raised, of extra than US$10 million, with this greater than US$15 million, it could now not be the largest amount raised via a Malaysian tech organisation as Chandran had also raised an earlier round for iGene.
But permit’s not split hairs over that, as I am certain neither are Chandran nor Anthony Tan, founder and group chief executive officer of GrabTaxi. Both are busy constructing out their groups – Chandran with his worldwide objectives and Tan along with his regional ambitions.
In fact, as we communicate now, Chandran is in England on a excursion of the two Digital Autopsy Systems iGene has constructed for its clients. The tour was organised via Malaysian Venture Capital Management Bhd (Mavcap), the task capital employer that has invested in him. DNA editor Goh Thean Eu is there and will deliver you the exciting trends.
While both these agencies have electrified the environment here with their traction and investment raised to further construct out their agencies, as they now flow beyond Malaysia and unto the global level, it'd be interesting to see how they craft their media engagement strategies.
GrabTaxi already has opted for a ‘US-first’ technique, with its announcement carried first with the aid of Tech Crunch earlier than being launched to media somewhere else. It additionally gave an interview to tech blog out of the West, but with an Asian presence.
They did no longer reach out to DNA (Digital News Asia) though. With 33% of our readers coming from the world over, DNA, while being a homegrown tech media outfit, virtually offers a worldwide platform to our tech corporations as they are attempting to reach the tiers that GrabTaxi and iGene have reached.
I just desire our tech groups don’t forget that after they do attain the global degree!
And I recognize a few have not as subsequent week we are going to interrupt a international story concerning a Malaysian tech corporation. (Stay tuned!) I am happy that specific founder sees the worldwide value of DNA.
So, in case you think the action turned into scorching this week, you haven’t seen something but!
For the ones of you who ignored out on our most current Disrupt, you can study all about it right here, in which, coincidentally, the topic changed into about startups and their want for professional PR (public members of the family) assist. As all Disrupts are, it became a a laugh and tasty event.
Meanwhile, my favourite tale of the week become Gabey Goh’s analytical piece on the issues BolehVPN is dealing with with its financial institution over its online credit score facility.
It is journalism at its fine due to the fact Gabey now not simply suggested on the problem however delivered background to expose that what BolehVPN is dealing with is not only a Malaysian trouble. She also painted a much broader image of how banks are nonetheless suffering with managing clients that have virtual-based business models.
Finally, please check out and down load our inaugural Deep Dive, which we did on the telco enterprise along with World Telecommunications Day in advance in May. I agree with this is the first time a media outfit here has posted a digital-handiest enterprise attention!
Have a good weekend and a effective paintings-week in advance.
The most popular tale of the week changed into Malaysian startup CatchThatBus increases cash in Singapore.
Editor’s Picks:
Digital animation survivor Inspidea gears for speedy increase
Disrupt: Startups, don’t overlook public relations
BolehVPN’s credit card cutoff highlights privateness, price problems
Surviving transformational shifts: Patience and recycling disasters
GrabTaxi announces US$15 million Series B investment
eBay's denial apart, it is still Malaysian person records
Malaysian startup CatchThatBus raises cash in Singapore
Previous instalments:
Week in Review: TeAM in angst over Gen Y disconnect
Week in Review: It's all occurring within the telco space
Week in Review: Why we have to applaud Zafrul Noordin
Week in Review: Yet any other bid to assist SMEs, using IP
Week in Review: Diversity our power, contradiction our weak point
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