Bringing you the latest updates on funding deals and activities in the Asia Pacific.

Portcast raises USD 6.5 million to automate supply chain decisions

Portcast, a Singapore-based logistics tech startup, has closed a USD 6.5 million Series A round led by Susquehanna Asia VC, with participation from Hearst Ventures and Signal Ventures, among other investors.

Portcast’s platform provides real-time transportation visibility and predictive analytics, processing data from over 370 carriers and 800 ports to deliver actionable insights for reducing costs and emissions.

CEO Nidhi Gupta noted that global supply chain disruptions have made visibility tools indispensable but insufficient on their own. “The priority now is to drive actions from visibility data through automated recommendations,” she said.

The funding will fuel the scaling of Portcast’s artificial intelligence-driven tools and support its expansion across the Asia Pacific and European markets, enhancing supply chain resilience globally.

Secai Marche nets additional JPY 250 million in Series A funding

Secai Marche, a Japan-headquartered business connecting farmers with restaurants and retailers in Southeast Asia, has netted an additional JPY 250 million (USD 1.6 million) in its Series A round of financing, according to e27.

The new funding comes from Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital (MSIVC) and debt partners Shizuoka Bank and Hokkoku Bank, following a USD 3.5 million raise earlier this year.

Leveraging AI to forecast demand and optimize last-mile deliveries, Secai Marche plans to expand its fulfillment centers, automate logistics, and ramp up marketing efforts.

Boman Group charts USD 1 billion fund to connect Australia with China

Boman Group, a Melbourne-based fund manager, is wrapping up the first tranche of a USD 1 billion fund designed to back Australian startups that can scale into China, according to Australian Financial Review.

After securing operational licenses over the past two years, the firm plans to open offices in Tianjin near Beijing, with further expansions to Shanghai and southern China.

CEO Eric Gao said that the fund will prioritize hardware and healthcare technologies, leveraging China’s manufacturing capabilities to address critical challenges such as its aging population.

Set to deploy in three phases starting in early 2025, the fund seeks to bridge Australia’s innovation with China’s strategic priorities. Boman’s prior investments include OpenAI, Klarna, and The a2 Milk Company.

HealthKart secures USD 153 million

HealthKart, an Indian omnichannel nutrition platform, has raised USD 153 million in a funding round co-led by ChrysCapital and Motilal Oswal Alternates, with participation from Neo Group and existing backer A91 Partners.

The funds will be used to support HealthKart’s expansion, brand building, and R&D. The company also announced its first ESOP buyback worth INR 550 million (USD 6.5 million).

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