Entrepreneur First S'pore programme
Entrepreneur First has completed its first Singapore programme, which was capped off by an event last Tuesday that saw 12 teams pitch to investors.
The London-based company builder runs a programme bringing individuals with technical skills together to build deep-tech firms. It launched the Singapore programme last September.
Individuals on the Entrepreneur First Singapore programme are supported with a monthly stipend of $5,000. Each company created receives an investment of $25,000 to support its growth.
All the companies that presented got a further $42,500 in funding from Sparklabs Global, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, and a further $50,000 from SGInnovate.
"The ideas that the teams are working on show there is an appetite for working on meaningful, futuristic ideas. These are global companies, built in Singapore," said Entrepreneur First Singapore director Alex Crompton.
"We have everything from laser communication technology, to water treatment and healthcare computer vision...
"The academic and industry experiences of this cohort shows that now, more than ever, the most ambitious technical individuals want to and have the capability to lead Singaporean start-ups."
S'pore office for Burda Principal Investments
Burda Principal Investments, the investment arm of European technology and media company Hubert Burda Media, has opened a Singapore office.
It will invest in technology companies in the region, with a focus on investments in the Series B stage.
Its existing investments in South-east Asia include Coc Coc, a leading search engine in Vietnam, and Priceza, Thailand's No. 1 price-comparison site.
It has also invested in several funds, including Golden Gate Ventures, Jungle Ventures and Kejora.
Hubert Burda Media, headquartered in Munich, is an international technology and media company.
SeedPlus gets $2.8m investment
International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has invested US$2 million (S$2.8 million) in SeedPlus, a Singapore seed-stage venture fund.
SeedPlus was launched by Singapore venture capital firm Jungle Ventures, in collaboration with SGInnovate, Accel Partners (India) and Ratan Tata's RNT Associates, among others.
IFC's investment will help SeedPlus support up to 20 early-stage companies.
EDBI in funding round raised by Livongo
EDBI, the investment arm of the Economic Development Board, has taken part in a US$52.5 million (S$73 million) funding round raised by California-based consumer digital health company Livongo.
It developed a new way for diabetes management that provides users with real-time, personalised insights and support.
The new funding round is co-led by existing investor General Catalyst and international investment company Kinnevik.
The funds will be used to ramp up growth in the diabetes-management space, expand to other chronic conditions and move to international markets.
Chia Yan Min
