Grab invests USD 60 million in remote driving technology firm Vay
Grab has signed definitive agreements to invest USD 60 million in Germany-based Vay Technology, a developer of remote driving systems. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025 following regulatory approvals, will give Grab a minority equity stake in the company.
Founded in Berlin, Vay enables users to request electric vehicles via its app, which are remotely driven to their location. After a trip, a remote driver takes control again, eliminating the need for parking. The model is designed to reduce service costs and serve as a bridge between traditional mobility and autonomous driving.
The investment will support Vay’s US expansion and contribute to Grab’s broader autonomous mobility strategy. Grab may invest an additional USD 350 million if performance milestones are met, potentially gaining a majority stake within three years.
The deal follows Grab’s recent investments in autonomous vehicle firms WeRide and May Mobility.
Transcelestial secures additional USD 9.7 million to scale connectivity in Japan
Transcelestial, a Singapore-based space and communications technology startup, has raised an additional USD 9.7 million, bringing its total funding to USD 34.7 million. The latest round includes new backing from MPower Partners and expanded participation from Seeds Capital and Kickstart Ventures, alongside Japan-based investors NTT Finance, Golden Egg Ventures, and Paspalis Capital.
The funds will accelerate the deployment of Transcelestial’s laser communication technology, which delivers fiber-grade connectivity in disaster-prone regions of Japan. The company said its systems are built to restore network access within hours after earthquakes or typhoons, support secure defense communications, and enable optical links for satellites and orbital data centers.
CEO Rohit Jha added the company is already running pilot projects with Japanese telecommunications firms and defense partners. The new capital is also expected to deepen its collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and strengthen its role in Japan’s national communications and space resilience initiatives.
Bioactivx raises seed funding from Cocoon Capital for synthetic regenerative implants
Bioactivx, a Singapore-based biomaterials company developing regenerative implants, has raised USD 1.425 million in seed funding, closing the round. The investment was led by Cocoon Capital, with participation from undisclosed global investors.
The funds will support clinical and regulatory milestones for its flagship product, Bioactiv Matrix, which is a fully synthetic, bio-inspired skin substitute designed to accelerate wound healing while minimizing scarring and infection. The material replaces animal-derived collagen, removing cold chain storage requirements and addressing ethical and cultural constraints, making it suitable for hospitals, defense use, and remote settings.
Bioactivx will also use the capital to advance regulatory approvals, develop new products, and expand its production capacity in Singapore.
H3 Zoom raises USD 1.8 million in Series A funding
H3 Zoom, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence company specializing in infrastructure inspection, has raised USD 1.8 million in the first close of its Series A round led by JRE Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of JR East, with participation from SGInnovate and M7 Holdings.
Founded in 2016, H3 Zoom develops proprietary vision-language models and robotics tools to automate building and asset inspections. Its platform is deployed across major commercial properties in Singapore, helping clients reduce inspection time, minimize operational risk, and maintain safety compliance.
The funding will support the firm’s expansion in Japan and Hong Kong and further R&D for its copilot platform and robotics-assisted inspection technologies.
Pride Health raises USD 300,000 to expand platform
Pride Health, a Bangkok-based telehealth platform, has raised USD 300,000 in a pre-seed round backed by A2D Ventures, Enterprise Singapore, First Move, and a startup fund under Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency.
The investment will support its regional expansion and platform development. Pride Health offers inclusive telehealth services that combine virtual consultations with licensed clinicians, AI-based personalization, and digital prescriptions.
CEO Bruce Li said the company aims to build a stigma-free health ecosystem. The new funds will help it expand into Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and explore additional service verticals.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Sophon Force, a provider of force sensing and perception solutions, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a seed round led by Cloud Angel Fund, with participation from Plug and Play China. Shanyun Capital served as the financial advisor. The proceeds will be used for product R&D, business expansion, and talent acquisition as the company advances its strategy in embodied intelligence. —36Kr
- Tairex, a health tech developer, has secured nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in an angel round led by Star Chain Capital, with participation from Innoangel Fund and Shangshi Fund. The funds will support R&D and upgrades of its flagship “agent hospital” system, an AI-powered platform designed to enhance smart healthcare applications. —36Kr
- Mova, a pool robotics company, has raised around RMB 100 million in a pre-Series A round. Founded in 2024, the company specializes in smart aquatic solutions, focusing on pool cleaning robots while expanding into residential water maintenance and public water management. More than 80% of its components are self-developed. Since its product launch in early 2025, Mova has shipped over 20,000 units and established distribution partnerships with Lowe’s, Bauhaus, Best Buy, and Home Depot across Europe and North America. —36Kr
- Lissome, a smart kitchen appliance brand, has completed a pre-Series A round, raising over RMB 10 million (USD 1.4 million). The round was led by Gao Bingqiang and Peak Patience Capital, with Zhuiguang Capital serving as the financial advisor. The funds will accelerate product development, team growth, and market expansion. Incubated at Xbotpark, Lissome develops robotics-driven kitchen technology that integrates smart sensing and motion control. The company holds more than 30 patents, and its latest product—a capsule-style dishwasher—combines automation with compact design for modern kitchens. —36Kr
VoidZero, Rolo Robotics, Uluu, and more made recent headlines:
- VoidZero, a Singapore-based company developing next-generation open-source JavaScript tooling, raised USD 12.5 million in a Series A round led by Accel, with participation from Peak XV Partners, Sunflower Capital, and angel investors including Koen Bok (Framer) and Eric Simons (StackBlitz).
- Rolo Robotics, a Singapore-founded robotics startup developing autonomous hot food kiosks, raised USD 3.45 million in an oversubscribed seed round backed by A2D Ventures, Beenext, Seedstars, TIS Japan, Antler, Lotus One Investment, and Blueprint Ventures.
- Uluu, a Perth-based biomaterials startup, raised SGD 13.6 million (USD 10.4 million) in a Series A round led by Burda Principal Investments, with participation from Main Sequence, Novel Investments, Startmate, Fairground, and Trinity Ventures.
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