Deals in Brief: Sleek EV and Polybee Raise Funding, Sea Limited Backs Noematrix, Eight Other China Investments, and More
•February 10, 2026
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Why It Matters
The capital influx accelerates deployment of electric mobility, AI‑enabled farming and grid‑digitalization, reshaping competitive dynamics across Asia’s fast‑growing sustainable‑tech markets.
Key Takeaways
- •Sleek EV targets Thailand hub with $8.5M Series A.
- •Polybee expands AI drone agriculture to 4,000 acres.
- •Neara’s $63.8M round boosts global digital‑twin rollout.
- •Chinese deep‑tech firms secure multi‑million RMB investments.
- •Funding surge underscores Asia’s shift to sustainable infrastructure.
Pulse Analysis
The latest funding wave highlights Asia’s strategic pivot toward electrified transportation and AI‑powered services. Sleek EV’s Series A, led by Kymco Capital, not only funds a larger manufacturing plant in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor but also underwrites AI‑driven vehicle agents and a nationwide battery‑swap network. By coupling hardware scale with software intelligence, the company aims to dominate the regional electric two‑wheel market, a segment projected to grow double‑digit annually as governments tighten emissions standards.
Parallel developments in agri‑tech and grid management illustrate how artificial intelligence is becoming a core differentiator. Polybee’s seed round will multiply its autonomous drone deployments, offering real‑time yield forecasting and pollination alternatives that could reduce reliance on natural pollinators. Neara’s $63.8 million Series D fuels the expansion of its digital‑twin platform, enabling utilities to model network capacity, accelerate renewable connections and improve resilience amid rising demand. Both firms leverage machine‑learning to transform legacy operations, signaling a broader industry trend where data‑centric solutions attract premium valuations.
China’s deep‑tech ecosystem adds another layer of momentum, with startups like Noematrix, Windrose Technology and XinSheng Tech securing eight‑figure RMB investments to commercialize embodied intelligence, electric‑truck platforms and automotive networking chips. These capital infusions reflect investor confidence that Asia will lead the next generation of sustainable hardware, supported by robust venture ecosystems and government incentives. Collectively, the funding rounds suggest a converging narrative: capital is flowing to companies that blend electrification, AI, and scalable infrastructure, setting the stage for accelerated adoption and heightened competition across the region’s green‑technology landscape.
Deals in brief: Sleek EV and Polybee raise funding, Sea Limited backs Noematrix, eight other China investments, and more
Sleek EV raises Series A funding for capacity expansion
Sleek EV, a Singapore‑headquartered electric scooter manufacturer operating in Thailand, has raised USD 8.5 million in the first close of its Series A funding round. The round was led by Kymco Capital, the investment arm backed by global powersports manufacturer Kwang Yang Motor, alongside more than 20 investors, including several from China.
The company plans to use the capital to expand production capacity at a larger facility in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, accelerate R&D for artificial intelligence-driven software and in‑vehicle agents, and scale its battery‑swapping and charging network more than sevenfold nationwide. It is also deepening partnerships with ecosystem players including PTT OR, Krungsri Auto, Toyota Tsusho, and Grab.
Founded to build an end‑to‑end electric motorcycle ecosystem spanning vehicles, infrastructure, and software, Sleek EV expects Thailand to emerge as a regional hub for electric two‑wheelers. The company aims to become the country’s leading electric motorcycle brand by 2026.
Polybee raises USD 4.3 million in seed funding
Polybee, a Singapore‑based agriculture‑technology company, has raised USD 4.3 million in a seed round, according to AFN. The round was co‑led by Paspalis Capital and Elev8.vc, with participation from Seeds Capital and angel investors.
The funding will be used to expand Polybee’s commercial footprint by up to fivefold to more than 4,000 acres by 2026 and scale deployments of its autonomous, self‑recharging drones used in agriculture. The platform combines computer vision and AI to support yield forecasting, harvest timing, and early stress detection. Its airflow‑based pollination technology is positioned as an alternative to bumblebees in controlled greenhouse environments, a claim the company has not independently validated.
Australia’s Neara raises Series D funding
Neara, an Australia‑founded infrastructure intelligence company, has raised AUD 90 million (USD 63.8 million) in a Series D round led by TCV. Returning investors Partners Group, EQT, Square Peg Capital, and Skip Capital also participated.
The round brings Neara’s total funding to about AUD 180 million (USD 127.5 million). The company plans to use the capital to expand its global machine‑learning and AI engineering teams and support international growth. Neara’s digital‑twin platform is used by utilities to identify underutilized network capacity, connect new energy and data‑center projects more quickly, and manage grid resilience amid rising demand.
Neara works with utility companies across the US, Europe, and Australia, where it serves a large share of electricity network operators. Its technology is used to shorten connection timelines and consolidate planning, design, and operations workflows, according to the company.
From left to right: Dan Danilatos, Karamvir Singh, and Jack Curtis, co‑founders of Neara. Photo courtesy of the company.
Hyperbond Studio snags seed funding for language‑learning app
Hyperbond Studio, a Singapore‑based startup, has raised USD 500,000 in a seed round backed by investors including NLS Ventures, Loyal VC, and Attribute Global Ventures, as well as angel investors affiliated with Wintermute, Julius Baer, and Plug and Play.
The company will use the proceeds for product development, team expansion, and infrastructure scaling following the launch of Call Me Sensei, a companionship‑based language‑learning app currently in open beta. Hyperbond is working with MiniMax, which provides its Speech 2.8 model to support voice‑based interactions in the application.
Recent deals completed in China
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Noematrix, an embodied intelligence startup, has raised an eight‑figure RMB sum in a Series A round led by C Capital, with participation from Sea Limited, Puhua Capital, and other investors. Existing shareholder Prosperity7 Ventures increased its stake. Proceeds will accelerate overseas commercialization and technology deployment. — 36Kr
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Imagesource, a smart manufacturing company, completed a pre‑Series A round backed by a fund managed by Hangzhou STI Group. The financing follows an RMB 5 million (USD 700 k) district‑government investment in June 2025, bringing total funding to over RMB 10 million (USD 1.4 million). Capital will advance product R&D, expand the team, and scale market outreach. — 36Kr
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Skydream, a smart caravan manufacturer, raised RMB 80 million (USD 11.2 million) across angel and pre‑Series A rounds, with investors including Lion Partners Capital and Skyworks. Funds will support product development, team expansion, and mass production of new‑energy caravans, as well as an electric‑trailer skateboard chassis integrating energy, autonomous‑driving, and vehicle‑control technologies. — 36Kr
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Puxing Space, an optical‑payload and microsatellite solutions provider, secured RMB 30 million (USD 4.2 million) in an angel round led by TusStar VC. Proceeds will support R&D, construction of a satellite‑manufacturing facility in Changchun, and team expansion. — 36Kr
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XinSheng Tech, a semiconductor startup, raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in an angel round led by Zhongguancun Qihang, with multiple industrial and financial investors. Founded in 2024, the company develops time‑sensitive networking chips for smart driving. Funding will back product development for next‑generation automotive electronic architectures. — 36Kr
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Xunlin, an advanced materials company, closed a Series A round worth nearly RMB 100 million led by Jolmo Capital, with backing from Binhai Industrial Fund and existing shareholders. Capital will expand production capacity for large glass substrates and develop downstream packaging module lines. — 36Kr
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Windrose Technology, an electric‑truck manufacturer, launched a Series C round targeting a total raise of more than USD 100 million, with the C1 tranche led by a fund managed by China Mobile. The company also secured credit lines from several state‑owned banks. Proceeds will support global mass production and delivery following regulatory certifications in China, the US, and Europe, and the build‑out of overseas assembly and charging infrastructure. — 36Kr
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Zhenjin New Ceramics, an electronic‑ceramics supplier, completed an angel‑plus round worth an eight‑figure RMB sum led by the venture arm of Shenzhen Credit Guarantee Group. Founded in 2024, the company develops advanced ceramic materials, including aluminum‑nitride substrates and silicon‑carbide components. Funds will scale production capacity and optimize mass‑production equipment. — 36Kr
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Chinanoo Precision Technology, a Kunshan‑based industrial‑automation company, raised RMB 25 million (USD 3.5 million) in a pre‑Series A round backed by multiple undisclosed investors. Founded in 2018, the firm focuses on magnetic‑levitation flexible conveyor systems and has built capabilities spanning core components to complete production lines. Capital will support R&D, market expansion, and team building. — 36Kr
HeyMax, Ekko, Secai Marche and others made recent headlines
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HeyMax, a Singapore‑based operator of the eponymous travel and loyalty‑rewards platform, raised USD 11 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Betatron Venture Group and existing investors January Capital and Tenity, plus several individual investors.
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Ekko, a Vietnam‑based company focused on reducing employee financial stress and turnover, raised USD 4.2 million in a seed round comprising both equity and debt. The round was backed by Impact Square, Fondation Botnar, Sagana, and several Vietnamese high‑net‑worth individuals.
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Secai Marche, a Tokyo‑based operator of a fresh‑food e‑commerce platform serving Southeast Asia, secured an undisclosed investment from MOL Plus, the venture arm of Mitsui OSK Lines.
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