Deals in brief: Earth VC invests in Aalo Atomics, Sarana AI secures pre-seed funding, five China deals, and more
Summary
The company will use the capital to expand its team, establish a new headquarters in Austin, and advance the de-risking of the licensing process.Sarana AI, a human resource tech startup based in Indonesia, has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round led by Fortress Data Services (FDS), according to e27.The startup will allocate the new capital toward the development of its artificial intelligence-driven platform, which aims to address Indonesias urgent need for advanced workforce development.According to Sarana AI, the platform will help enhance employee retention and enable the upskilling of the workforce in response to evolving industry demands.Shift, an Australian provider of credit and payment solutions for businesses, has secured AUD 35 million (USD 23.7 million) in a Series D funding round led by Peak XV Partners. This round follows Shifts AUD 230 million (USD 155.8 million) asset-backed securitization in May 2024.The new funds will be used to further develop Shifts proprietary data models and platforms, as part of its strategy to become the leading provider of credit and payments for Australian businesses.Singapore-based Farquhar VC (FVC), a venture capital firm, has invested in South Korean edtech startup Catius via its pre-Series A funding round, according to TechNode Global. FVC has also recently signed partnership agreements with the Goyang Investment Authority and Twin Ventures to support cross-border startup collaborations between South Korea, Singapore, and Southeast Asia. The capital infusion is set to drive innovation in Pelliots professional and high-end product lines, bolster its offline presence, and refine its global supply chain. 36Kr Uppervoid, an outdoor apparel brand blending aesthetics with cutting-edge materials, has landed an eight-figure RMB sum in its latest funding round.