Greenitio lands USD 1.5 million to commercialize biopolymers for cosmetics and specialty chemicals
Greenitio, a Singapore-based materials startup, has raised USD 1.5 million in a seed funding round led by SGInnovate, with participation from Better Bite Ventures, Silverstrand Capital, and several angel investors from the chemicals and cosmetics industries.
The company has developed a patented chemistry platform that produces sustainable biopolymers from fungal-derived chitosan. These serve as bio-based alternatives to petrochemical and microplastic compounds used in cosmetics, personal care, and specialty chemicals. Greenitio’s process is water-based, generates no chemical waste, and reportedly reduces carbon emissions by up to 87%.
Proceeds will support manufacturing expansion, regulatory approvals, and new brand partnerships. The company also plans to set up a subsidiary in the Benelux region to expand into Europe.
Living Roots secures bridge funding to scale regenerative fertilizers in Southeast Asia
Living Roots, a Thailand-based agritech startup, has raised a bridge round to expand the deployment of its platform. The round was led by Epic Angels, with participation from angel investors across Southeast Asia.
The startup develops precision biological fertilizers from local waste inputs, addressing soil degradation and supply chain dependency in the region. Its flagship product, Activate, enables farmers to break down crop residues without burning, thereby improving soil health while mitigating air pollution. Living Roots’ tech also reduces reliance on imported synthetic fertilizers, over 90% of which are sourced externally in Southeast Asia.
Funds from the round will also support the company’s sales expansion, new pilot projects with food companies and cooperatives, and an upgrade to production capacity.
LineWise raises USD 1.1 million to cut factory downtimes
LineWise, a Thai-founded startup building a troubleshooting platform for manufacturers, has raised USD 1.1 million in pre-seed funding. Investors include Y Combinator, A2D Ventures, Exitfund, Remus Capital, SBXi Fund, and Team Ignite Ventures.
LineWise offers an agentic artificial intelligence system that functions as a virtual engineer, available round the clock. By synthesizing sensor data, equipment manuals, and historical maintenance logs, the system can perform rapid root cause analysis and provide step-by-step resolution guidance for manufacturing line stoppages and defects. The platform aims to address two of the industry’s costliest challenges: unplanned downtime and yield loss.
With the new funding, LineWise plans to scale across North America and Asia while expanding its engineering team and refining its platform for high-speed packaging lines.
YiLab raises over USD 10 million to scale sustainable textile R&D in Asia
YiLab, a materials science company, has closed an oversubscribed pre-Series A funding round, bringing its total investment raised to date to more than USD 10 million. Investors for the round were not disclosed, though YiLab indicated they comprise players across the tech, sustainability, and consumer sectors.
The funding will support the launch of a dedicated R&D laboratory and factory in Asia to scale LifeLabs Design, a YiLab-owned brand offering thermoregulating textiles for outdoor and active apparel. Developed from a decade of research, LifeLabs’ textile technologies deliver temperature regulation with reduced resource usage, aiming to lower global energy consumption through everyday clothing.
The new facility will enable rapid prototyping and commercialization of its materials in collaboration with global fashion and accessory brands.
Recent deals completed in China:
- Trunk Technology, an autonomous trucking company, has raised a nine-figure RMB sum in a funding round backed by Beijing Shunyi Shunxin High Precision Industry Equity Investment Fund, SDIC Chuangyi, Yulin Coal Conversion Fund, Xuzhou Industrial Development Fund, CIB Wealth Management, and Hefei Dongcheng Industrial Investment. Founded in 2017, the company develops Level 4 autonomous driving systems for logistics. It plans to use the capital to expand its core product line and accelerate commercialization in unmanned logistics scenarios. —36Kr
- RobStride Dynamics, an embodied intelligence company specializing in robotic joint modules, has secured an eight-figure RMB sum across its pre-Series A and pre-Series A+ rounds. The pre-Series A round was led by HongShan’s seed fund with support from Highlight Capital and Xinniu Capital, while existing backers Innoangel Fund and Yiwei Capital also invested. Highlight Capital solely backed the pre-Series A+ round, with Lingxiao Capital acting as financial advisor. RobStride intends to channel the funds into capacity building, global expansion, and product development. —36Kr
- PureblueAI, a marketing technology startup, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in its first funding round. The investment was jointly led by BlueFocus and Innoangel Fund, with Shuimu Tsinghua Alumni Seed Fund also participating. The company develops agentic solutions that generate branded content and track performance. Proceeds will go toward scaling product development and driving market adoption. —36Kr
- Ropet, a companion robot manufacturer, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A1 round led by the Beijing Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund, with FreesFund participating. Index Capital advised on the deal. Proceeds will support further R&D and commercialization. —36Kr
- NuRay, a developer of X-ray technology and imaging solutions, has secured a nine-figure RMB sum in funding. CNNC Fund led the investment, joined by China Vision Valley, Lotus Lake Capital, and the Changzhou Jintan Industrial Mother Fund. The company plans to expand its production while advancing applications in medical imaging, industrial testing, and security screening. —36Kr
- Deep Material, a novel materials company, has completed a Series A round worth an eight-figure RMB sum. Heshijia Capital and Aurora Private Equity invested. The funding will support R&D, automated lab upgrades, AI model development, and the exploration of new applications. —36Kr
- DG Broadtrum, a provider of electromagnetic space security solutions, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a pre-Series A round from an undisclosed investor. Established in 2014, the company develops spectrum management and counter-drone technologies. The new funds will be directed toward core technology upgrades, product expansion, and enlarging its headquarters. —36Kr
- MetaLenX, a lens design and manufacturing company, has raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a Series A+ round. Xiaomi, Shunwei Capital, Chengmei Capital, and Shanghai Angel Group co-invested. Founded in 2020, the firm is building mass production lines for superlenses, expanding its infrared lens capacity, and pushing into visible light applications. —36Kr
RushOwl, iEduGPT, Bang Jamin, and more made recent headlines:
- RushOwl, a Singapore-based ride-sharing platform, raised USD 10 million in a Series A round led by Gobi Partners, with Hong Kong Investment Corporation as a partner.
- iEduGPT, an edtech startup, raised USD 10 million in a seed round backed by New Wheel Capital, Baywise Capital, SWC Global, Uphonest Capital, K3 Ventures, and Welight.
- Bang Jamin, an Indonesia-based digital insurance platform, raised USD 4 million in a pre-Series A round co-led by Braxton Capital and SBI Ven Capital, with participation from BNI Ventures and BRI Ventures.
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