The year has just begun, but Asian startups are already securing large funding rounds. Between January 12 and 16, companies across Hong Kong, China, India, and Singapore raised over $430 million in disclosed funding, led by a late-stage fintech round and a major deep-tech clean energy deal. While large checks dominated the top end, investors also continued to back AI, gaming, finance automation, and workforce training platforms.
Here’s a look at some of the key deals that stood out:
Hong Kong-based digital banking firm WeLab led the week with a $220 million Series D round. The funding, which combines equity and debt, was backed by major financial institutions, including HSBC and Prudential Hong Kong. The capital strengthens WeLab’s position as one of Asia’s most well-funded fintech players as it scales digital banking services across the region.
From China’s deep-tech ecosystem, Startorus Fusion followed with a ¥1 billion (around $143 million) Series A round. The company is focused on nuclear fusion and clean energy technologies, and the size of the raise signals continued investor appetite for long-term bets in climate and energy infrastructure.
India saw steady mid-stage activity across multiple sectors. Workforce training startup Emversity raised $30 million in Series A funding to expand its education and employability platform, targeting skills development aligned with industry needs. In the gaming sector, Liquidnitro Games secured $19.1 million in Series A funding led by Northpoint Capital, with participation from existing investors, to grow its AI-powered live services for game studios.
In Singapore, Hupo AI closed a $10 million Series A round led by DST Global-backed investors, alongside regional venture firms, to scale its enterprise sales coaching platform focused on improving sales performance through AI
Fintech and enterprise software also attracted capital. Indian FinOps startup Bluecopa raised $7.5 million in a Series A round, led by Analog Partners with participation from Blume Ventures and Dallas Venture Capital, as it builds tools to help businesses manage and optimise operational spending.
Taken together, this week’s deals reveal a clear pattern across Asia: investors are still writing large checks for mature fintech and deep-tech infrastructure, while continuing to support practical AI and software startups that solve concrete business problems.
