Asia’s startup funding regained momentum this week, continuing the steady rebound that launched in Q3 when overall investments climbed 20% from the previous quarter. Startups across the region collectively pulled in around $627 million, a 10x leap from last week’s modest $61 million—driven largely by a few huge-ticket rounds in India.
Leading this week, Zepto pulled in a massive $450 million, led by CalPERS, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, with existing backers like Avenir, Avra, Lightspeed, Glade Brook, The Stepstone Group, and Nexus Venture Partners in a mix of primary and secondary sales. With the new funding, the company is gearing up for a 2025 IPO and an even denser delivery network. For investors, it’s a sign that India’s instant delivery race isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
Also building headlines is Kuku FM, an Indian audio and video content platform, which raised $85 million in its Series D led by Granite Asia (formerly GGV Capital). The platform has quietly become India’s go-to for audio stories, podcasts, and learning content in regional languages. The fresh capital, which also came from Vertex Growth Fund, Krafton, IFC, Paramark, Tribe Capital India, and Bitkraft, will go toward scaling creator partnerships and strengthening its technology stack.
Notably in India, Dezerv, a wealth-tech platform, raised ₹350 crore (about $40 million) in an all-primary Series C round co-led by Premji Invest and Accel’s Global Growth Fund. The round also saw participation from Elevation Capital and Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners India). The funds will be utilized to enhance the client experience, strengthen its technology stack, and expand investment offerings across multiple asset classes.
Then there’s SpeakX.ai, an Indian GenAI startup that raised $16 million in a Pre-Series B round led by WestBridge Capital, with backing from Elevation Capital, Goodwater Capital, and angels including Shyamal Anadkat (OpenAI) and Ronnie Screwvala (upGrad). The company supports utilizers sharpen their spoken English through AI tutors that mimic real conversations. With plans to expand into regional languages, SpeakX is positioning itself to tap into India’s growing appetite for AI-driven learning tools.
Surprisingly, in the fintech front, GoodScore secured $13 million in a Series A led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Snotifyaris Venture Partners and Saison Capital. As digital lfinishing grows, the startup aims to support Indian consumers understand and improve their credit health.
Rounding things off, drone-tech startup Airbound raised $8.65 million in seed funding from Lachy Groom, co-founder of Physical Innotifyigence. The company is building ultra-light, blfinished-wing drones designed for one-cent delivery costs.
Toreceiveher, these deals highlight investor confidence in Asia’s startup ecosystem, especially in markets like India, where scale, innovation, and clear business models are driving capital back into play.
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