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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Asia, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌏️
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📰 Important News
- Paga and PayPal partnered to enable Nigerians to receive international payments directly into Paga wallets.
- Kuda Microfinance Bank secured a national license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, enabling nationwide expansion and physical touchpoints.
- Cassava and AXON Networks launched Africa’s AI-powered OaaS platform, using Cassava fiber to strengthen digital infrastructure and resilience.
- Ezra Olubi, Paystack co-founder, is demanding $100,000 and an apology from David Hundeyin for X posts alleging misconduct.
- AfricAI secured an exclusive multi-year deal with Micropolis Robotics to deploy advanced autonomous robotics across Africa.
💸 Top Funding Rounds
- Moroccan proptech Yakeey raised $15 million in Series A funding from the IFC, Beltone Venture Capital, Enza Capital, and CDG Invest.
- Moroccan mobility startup Enakl secured $2.3 million in Seed funding to scale its shared transport solutions and launch a SaaS platform in Morocco.
- Ghanaian AI startup Aya Data landed $900,000 seed funding from 54Collective to scale its AI products for agriculture and communication.
💰️ IPO and M&A Watch
- Nigerian fintech Trove Finance acquired SEC-licensed broker-dealer Innova Securities to bring brokerage operations in-house, enhancing trade execution.
- Jordanian edtech Abwaab acquired Apex Education to expand into elite global university admissions guidance for MENA students.
🏦 About Investors
- XSML Capital successfully closed its African Rivers Fund IV at $142 million, surpassing its target and showing robust investor confidence to support over 50 small and medium-sized enterprises in Central and East Africa.
- The Gates Foundation and OpenAI launched a $50 million Horizon1000 AI health initiative in Africa starting in Rwanda to support frontline health workers and address critical workforce shortages.
- The DFC appointed Selam Demissie as Regional Managing Director for East Africa, based in Nairobi, to oversee projects advancing market-driven growth and strengthening U.S. economic engagement in the region.
🚀 Startup of the Week
Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆
Yakeey
Yakeey, founded in 2023 in Casablanca, is emerging as a key player reshaping Morocco’s fragmented real estate market through a fully integrated digital platform. The startup brings together property search, valuation, brokerage, and financing in one transaction-focused infrastructure, including the country’s first iBuying-style offering, enabled through a partnership with Umnia Bank. In a landmark move for the ecosystem, Yakeey raised a $15 million Series A backed by International Finance Corporation, alongside Beltone Venture Capital, Enza Capital, and CDG Invest via 212Founders. Led by CEO Karim Beqqali, Yakeey aims to build trust, transparency, and efficiency in property transactions nationwide.
💼 Investor of the Week
Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆
XSML Capital
XSML Capital, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Amsterdam with deep roots across African frontier markets, is a venture/private investment firm specializing in growth capital for small and medium‑sized enterprises where traditional financing is scarce. It recently surpassed its fundraising goal with the $142 million close of its African Rivers Fund IV, exceeding its $135 million target and drawing backing from multiple development finance institutions and family offices, underscoring confidence in its hybrid private credit and hands‑on support model. Led by managing partner Barthout van Slingelandt, the firm deploys capital across Central and East Africa, blending financial and operational backing to help more than 50 SMEs scale, reinforcing its role as a bridge for underserved entrepreneurs and a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
🤑 Opportunities Expiring Soon
AWS/CTIB Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator
- 📢 Organizer: Vestbee
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Pre-Series A, Series A
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 3, 2026
VGI 2nd Edition Boosts Moroccan Games
- 📢 Organizer: Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication
- 🗂️ Category: Incubator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Media & Entertainment
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 5, 2026
Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge 2026
- 📢 Organizer: University of San Diego
- 🗂️ Category: Funding, Competition/Challenge, Award/Prize
- 🪜 Target Stages: Seed, Revenue-generating
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
Fast-track To Impact Programme
- 📢 Organizer: ProVeg International
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator
- 🪜 Target Stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Agriculture & Food
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 8, 2026
Entrepreneur First (EF) Spring 2026 - The Global Talent Investor
- 📢 Organizer: Entrepreneur First
- 🗂️ Category: Accelerator, Funding
- 🪜 Target Stages: Ideation, Pre-seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Sector Agnostic
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 8, 2026
xG-Incubator
- 📢 Organizer: xG-Incubator
- 🗂️ Category: Incubator, Funding
- 🪜 Target Stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- 🏭 Focus Sectors: Connectivity & Networks, Deeptech
- 📅 Application Deadline: February 9, 2026
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