Financial Updates: Arches Grants USD 3 Million to Democratize specialist knowledge in Asian markets; Square Peg guides investment in Paper.id; Asuene locks in Series C financing, and additional dealings

In a series of recent funding rounds, various startups across the globe have secured significant investments to fuel their growth and innovation.

Arches, a knowledge-sharing platform, recently raised USD 3 million in a funding round led by Kusabi. The company aims to expand its expert network to include Europe and the US, and develop an "expert knowledge bank" with the new funding.

In another significant round, Battery Smart, a Gurugram-based battery swapping company, raised USD 65 million in a Series B funding led by LeapFrog Investments. The funds will be used to accelerate the company's growth and expand its operations.

Meanwhile, BayaniPay, a payments automation company based in Los Angeles and the Philippines, raised an additional USD 3 million, bringing its Series A funding to USD 9.6 million. The company plans to use the funds to enhance its platform and expand its services.

Cellbri Bio-Innovation Technology, a provider of cell and gene therapy manufacturing solutions, raised nearly RMB 200 million (USD 27.5 million) in a Series B funding round. The round was led by 3E Bioventures, with participation from Hongsheng Capital and existing investors.

Ronovo Surgical, a Shanghai-based medtech company, secured RMB 300 million (USD 41.3 million) in a Series B funding round. The round was co-led by Guolian Group through its subsidiaries Guolian Capital, Surrich International, and the Yangzhou Economic Development Emerging Industry Development Fund, along with Ince Capital.

Matsuri Technologies, a Tokyo-based provider of StayX, completed its Series D funding round, raising JPY 1.34 billion (USD 8.5 million). The company did not disclose details about the investors in this round.

Asuene, a Japan-headquartered climate tech startup, raised USD 26.7 million in the first close of its Series C funding round. Asuene plans to use the funds for recruitment, sales and marketing expansion, investment in artificial intelligence, pursuing M&A opportunities, and strengthening global expansion in Asia and the US. The investors for Asuene's Series C round include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, SBI Investment, and Sparx Asset Management's Mirai Creation Fund III, among others.

Volant Aerotech, a Shanghai-based developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, closed a Series A++ funding round, raising a nine-figure RMB sum. The company did not disclose the exact amount or the investors in this round.

Paper.id, an Indonesian B2B fintech company, raised an undisclosed sum in Series B funding led by Square Peg Capital. The company plans to introduce new services this year, including a B2B deferred payment option, integrated bank account payments, and cross-border payments.

Botai Biotechnology, a Shanghai-registered biotechnology company, raised an eight-figure RMB sum in a pre-Series A funding round. The company did not disclose the exact amount or the investors in this round.

Zhongyuan Advanced Materials, a gas atomization company based in Ningbo, China, raised an undisclosed amount in a Series C funding round. The investors for Zhongyuan Advanced Materials' Series C round include a SCGC-managed fund, the National Military Integration Industry Investment Fund, Ningbo Yongxin Phoenix Fund, Ningbo Haishu Industrial Investment, Shenzhen HTI Group, and Ningbo Yongcai Fund.

Stanly, a platform designed for fans to connect, engage, and celebrate their favorite fandoms, raised USD 8 million in pre-Series A funding. The company did not disclose the investors in this round.

These funding rounds underscore the ongoing interest in innovative startups across various sectors and regions, as they seek to address global challenges and create new opportunities.