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Start-ups

Start-ups
Articles about early-stage companies; pre-IPO, including those still being funded by angel investors, private equity or venture capitalists.
Humanoid robots work on an imitation factory production line at a robot training centre in east China’s Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
Robotics

China sweeps global humanoid robot start-up ranking as US imposes ban

The LexisNexis study identified a ‘clear shift towards China’ in the humanoid robot race, with the US falling behind.

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Alibaba

From CXMT to Zhipu AI, Alibaba’s strategic investments are paying off

China’s private sector

How Beijing became China’s biggest tech venture capitalist, from AI to chips

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IPO

Chinese GPU start-up MetaX confidentially files for Hong Kong listing: sources

Firm’s year-end listing plan underscores China’s chip self-reliance and follows Biren, Iluvatar and Moore Threads in the fundraising rush.

MetaX is said to be targeting a listing by the end of 2026. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Shanghai to launch ‘choke point’ tech funds, relax some pre-profit listing rules

The city will unveil dedicated funds and new offshore yuan channels while allowing pre-profit AI and nuclear fusion start-ups to list on the Star Market.

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Robotics

Chinese robot maker AgiBot targets a listing in Hong Kong’s booming market

Leading robot maker plans a Hong Kong IPO with Citic, CICC, and Morgan Stanley as sponsors.

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Artificial intelligence

China’s Moonshot AI accelerates fundraising push ahead of planned IPO: source

Per a source, the company closes fundraising round at US$30 billion valuation, as it signals it may go public in next six months.

A general view of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing on July 21. Photo: Jelly Tse
China property

Tech-driven surge: new wealth fuels luxury housing boom in China’s AI stronghold

Landmark deals push Hangzhou’s luxury homes to fresh highs, powered by the country’s newly rich from start-ups and finance.

Artificial intelligence

BrainCo claims mind-to-robot link at China’s World AI Conference

Hangzhou-based firm says users can control robots using only their thoughts via EEG headsets, marking a leap in embodied AI tech.

Artificial intelligence

On-device models steal the spotlight as China’s edge AI sector heats up

A growing number of tech firms are pivoting to lightweight models designed to run entirely on smartphones and laptops.

On-device models promise faster processing, enhanced data privacy and lower operating costs, according to proponents. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysia’s US$47 million investment in Indonesian start-up revealed as fraud

The finance ministry said pension fund KWAP lost the money to eFishery despite rigorous due diligence.

eFishery deploys feeders to fish and shrimp farmers in Indonesia. Photo: eFishery
Banking & finance

HKIC reports double-digit investment return as ‘patient capital’ bears fruit

The government-owned investment firm generated nearly HK$6.5 billion in its second year, as Hong Kong’s economic vision begins to take shape.

Artificial intelligence

China’s DeepSeek eyes US$70b valuation in new talks weeks after first round

Company’s fresh fundraising talks come straight off its landmark Series A, as investors scramble to back national AI champion.

Artificial intelligence

Will a new focus help Chinese AI labs challenge Thinking Machines Lab?

AI labs Yoolee and InfiX.ai say they aim to rival US start-up with industry-specific AI solutions, reduced costs and enhanced privacy.

Two Chinese AI labs, Yoolee AI and InfiX.ai, aim to challenge the likes of Thinking Machines Lab and Palantir with a focus on AI solutions tailored for specific industries, reduced costs and enhanced privacy. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Singapore’s Carousell eyes ‘bigger leap ahead’ after profitability milestone

Co-founder Marcus Tan says he is ‘excited about the growth ahead’ as years of investment in user experience begin to pay off.

Carousell co-founder Marcus Tan points to a Kodak carousel projector, gifted to them by a platform user, on display in the company’s Singapore office. Photo: Jean Iau
China’s private sector

China records most new unicorn start-ups in 5 years as AI and robotics boom

The pace is the fastest since 2021 though momentum for some start-ups remains uncertain, according to a new report.

Mainland China

Video | This Chinese bug zapper kills mosquitoes with lasers

Photon Matrix raised US$2.8 million through crowdfunding, but mass production has been delayed until August.

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China’s private sector

China’s unicorns rise to 381 as ByteDance ranks in top 3 globally: Hurun index

The tech firm is valued behind only OpenAI and Anthropic – while DeepSeek enters the global top 15.

Unicorns typically refer to privately held start-up companies that have achieved a valuation of over US$1 billion. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Artificial intelligence

China keeps an eye on AI smart glasses as privacy concerns come into focus

Voluntary code aims to address privacy fears surrounding AI smart glasses as shipments surge and hidden recordings spark public outrage.

Artificial intelligence

How a Chinese physical AI start-up’s new paradigm bypasses US road maps

Shanghai-based Fysics AI says Fysiverse is a ‘new-generation physics-based world model that adheres to real-world physical laws’.

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China’s private sector

iPhone supplier Luxshare passes key hearing for Hong Kong listing

The firm, a key supplier for AirPods and iPhones, is a step closer to joining other mainland Chinese tech heavyweights in HKEX listing.

Luxshare Precision Industry has passed a regulatory hurdle to list in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images
China manufacturing

Will China’s AI-powered agribots repeat its EV success story?

Chinese tech and mass production capabilities could transform the nation’s farming industry with AI-enabled workforce.

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An AgiBot A2 humanoid robot learns to pick green leaves of Longjing tea under staff training at Longjing Tea Plantation in West Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Nuclear fusion

Chinese start-up tackles fusion energy software bottleneck with help of AI

FusionAlpha is a simulator designed to help developers test reactor designs on computers before committing to expensive physical experiments.

Banking & finance

Opinion | AI has been known to hallucinate. So have financial markets

Stock markets are booming on the assumption that US tech giants will deliver, but as liquidity becomes scarce, a reality check will ensue.

Artificial intelligence

Anthropic opens powerful Mythos AI model to public – with some safeguards

Access was previously limited to organisations like the US government due to the model’s ability to unearth cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The new Claude Fable 5 is the most powerful model ‌Anthropic has ever made for wider use, the start-up ​says. Photo illustration: Reuters
Universities in Hong Kong

Hong Kong commits US$383 million to university spin-offs in tech hub push

Launched in October 2023, the scheme requires university teams to successfully commercialise their R&D outcomes within five years.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong delivers opening remarks at the HKUST Unicorn Day on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

Hong Kong’s venture fund eyes bigger bankroll after double-digit return

Financial secretary says investment arm will also take lead on new offshore yuan-denominated venture capital fund.

Robotics

World of humanoid robots set for new blueprint as Nvidia teams with Asian firms

The tech trio team up to create a state-of-the-art robot reference design allowing researchers to build, fine-tune and deploy skills faster.

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