SkyeChip is a Malaysia-based company specialising in silicon intellectual property (IP) and custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications, leveraging its proprietary designs and research and development (R&D) capabilities. The investment will fund talent acquisition and expansion as SkyeChip advances chip innovation across Southeast Asia. The funding aligns with Khazanah’s Dana Impak mandate to strengthen Malaysian companies that drive technological innovation, social mobility, and long-term economic resilience - particularly in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.
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Funding Societies, Southeast Asia’s largest SME digital finance platform, will accelerate growth in lending and payments after getting new funding from Gobi Partners. The investment builds on over US$4 billion (RM17.78 billion) in disbursements and aims to widen access for underserved businesses across the region. With strong support from investors and lenders following key milestones in 2024, Funding Societies is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory while upholding responsible lending practices for long-term sustainability. The partnership also enhances its AI-driven lending model, advancing its mission to close the US$2.5 trillion (RM11.11 trillion) SME credit gap.
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Amber International celebrated its Nasdaq listing by ringing the Closing Bell on 28 March at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square. Trading under the ticker “AMBR” since 13 March, the Singapore-based crypto finance provider is one of Asia’s few digital asset firms listed on Nasdaq. The ceremony underscored its global expansion strategy and commitment to providing institutional-grade access to the digital asset economy. The merger marked a key milestone in Amber Premium’s growth, positioning it as a global leader in institutional digital asset finance on the public market.
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ZENCE OBJECT TECH (Chazence) secured a strategic US$1.37 million (RMB10 million) investment co-led by Gobi Partners and AB Builders, with an intention order worth RMB30 million to support large-scale infrastructure projects. The company signed an MoU to expand globally and promote sustainable materials, reinforced by ISCC PLUS and product carbon footprint certifications. By transforming agricultural waste, such as tea residue, into biodegradable alternatives to plastics, paper, and wood, Chazence addresses waste challenges and carbon emissions. Its involvement in the Hong Kong Science Park Accelerator and the US BOOSTER Programme positions it as a leading innovator in sustainable materials and green technology.
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Gobi Partners Co-founder and Chairperson Thomas G. Tsao highlights Pakistan’s untapped potential to become a key player in regional innovation. With a population of 240 million - most of them young and digitally fluent - Pakistan stands at the cusp of a tech transformation. Despite funding shortfalls and political uncertainty, the country’s stabilising government and expanding digital base present a compelling case for deeper tech cooperation with China. As bilateral ties shift beyond infrastructure into AI, FinTech, and AgriTech, Pakistan has the opportunity to emerge as a strategic innovation partner in China’s next phase of growth.
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Etaily (#3) and CloudEats (#75) from the Philippines, Synagistics (#78) from Singapore, and Funding Societies (#230) have been featured in The Financial Times’ annual ranking of 500 high-growth companies in the Asia-Pacific. Compiled by Statista, the list recognises companies that achieved the fastest revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. Their inclusion reflects their decisive contribution to Southeast Asia’s digital economy through sustained innovation and expansion.
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Geene is an AI platform developed by Synagistics that integrates generative AI, blockchain, and big data to improve enterprise performance and compliance. Its proprietary engine routes queries across leading models - such as DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Qwen - for cost-effective, optimised results. The launch of Geene-R1, a GDPR- and PDPA-compliant version hosted in Singapore, positions Synagistics to meet rising global demand in the US$300 billion AI market.
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On the Ground: Gobi Partners at the Anvil Business Club
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On 6 March, Thomas joined the Anvil Business Club in Manila alongside Gobi Partners Philippines team members Jason Gaisano, Ken Ngo, Carlo Chen-Delantar, and Phoebe Fontanilla to share insights on venture capital and Gobi Partners’ role in driving Asia’s entrepreneurial growth. As keynote speaker and panelist, he discussed the evolving start-up landscape and the future of regional investments. The session sparked meaningful dialogue on strengthening innovation in the Philippines and across the region.
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Bridging Ecosystems: Japan–Malaysia Digital Accelerator Exchange Programme 2025
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On 11 March, Gobi Partners welcomed a delegation of Japanese founders for a knowledge exchange focused on cross-border innovation and venture capital collaboration. Start-up pitches featured Ami Sugiyama (SECAI MARCHE), Shun Fujii (BuddyCloud), Saw Shih Jane (Green Carbon), Amane Kimura (Algal Bio), and Hajime Sato (Kentasu). A panel discussion with Kengo Suzuki, Hisham Ibrahim, Navvin Kumar, and Zayd Azman explored potential synergies between Japan and Malaysia. The session concluded with an office tour, underscoring Gobi Partners’ commitment to bridging ecosystems through regional partnerships with Meet Ventures and JETRO Malaysia.
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