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# INFOGRAPHIC: Top Asian Startup Funding—Week 42, 2025
- URL: https://www.techloy.com/infographic-top-asian-startup-funding-week-42-2025/
- Published: 2025-10-17T09:00:43.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-17T09:52:59.000Z
- Description: These are the funding deals we tracked in Asia this week—featuring Zepto, Kuku FM, Dezerv, SpeakX.ai, GoodScore, and Airbound.
- Author: David Adubiina
- Tags: / Startups, / Money, Tech in Asia

Asia’s startup funding regained momentum this week, continuing the steady rebound that began in Q3 when overall investments climbed 20% from the previous quarter. Startups across the region collectively pulled in around $627 million, a 10x leap from last week’s modest $61 million—driven largely by a few big-ticket rounds in India.

Leading this week, **Zepto** pulled in a massive **$450 million**, led by CalPERS, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, with existing backers like Avenir, Avra, Lightspeed, Glade Brook, The Stepstone Group, and Nexus Venture Partners in a mix of primary and secondary sales. With the new funding, the company is gearing up for a 2025 IPO and an even denser delivery network. For investors, it’s a sign that India’s instant delivery race isn’t cooling down anytime soon.

Also making headlines is **Kuku FM**, an Indian audio and video content platform, which raised **$85 million** in its **Series D** led by Granite Asia (formerly GGV Capital). The platform has quietly become India’s go-to for audio stories, podcasts, and learning content in regional languages. The fresh capital, which also came from Vertex Growth Fund, Krafton, IFC, Paramark, Tribe Capital India, and Bitkraft, will go toward scaling creator partnerships and strengthening its technology stack. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/10/INFOGRAPHIC-Top-Asian-Startup-Funding---Week-42--2025.png)

Notably in India, **Dezerv**, a wealth-tech platform, raised **₹350 crore (about $40 million)** in an all-primary **Series C** round co-led by **Premji Invest** and **Accel’s Global Growth Fund**. The round also saw participation from **Elevation Capital** and **Z47** (formerly Matrix Partners India). The funds will be used to enhance the client experience, strengthen its technology stack, and expand investment offerings across multiple asset classes.

Then there's **SpeakX.ai**, an Indian GenAI startup that raised **$16 million** in a **Pre-Series B** round led by WestBridge Capital, with backing from Elevation Capital, Goodwater Capital, and angels including Shyamal Anadkat (OpenAI) and Ronnie Screwvala (upGrad). The company helps users sharpen their spoken English through AI tutors that mimic real conversations. With plans to expand into regional languages, SpeakX is positioning itself to tap into India’s growing appetite for AI-driven learning tools.

Surprisingly, in the fintech front, **GoodScore** secured **$13 million** in a **Series A** led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Stellaris Venture Partners and Saison Capital. As digital lending grows, the startup aims to help Indian consumers understand and improve their credit health.

Rounding things off, drone-tech startup **Airbound** raised **$8.65 million** in **seed funding** from Lachy Groom, co-founder of Physical Intelligence. The company is building ultra-light, blended-wing drones designed for one-cent delivery costs. 

Together, these deals highlight investor confidence in Asia’s startup ecosystem, especially in markets like India, where scale, innovation, and clear business models are driving capital back into play.