ICYMI: April Roundup
Supporting TaqwaTech and FinTech Throughout Asia
As April drew to a close, Gobi Partners was honoured for its role in TaqwaTech investing and selected to manage Hong Kong government funding into AI, BioTech, and advanced manufacturing startups. Investments in two FinTech startups were announced: Transak and PolicyStreet. Both reflect Gobi’s conviction in building infrastructure for financial inclusion across the world.
SkyeChip Targets US $75 million In Public Debut
Gobi portfolio company SkyeChip’s Main Market IPO is targeting up to US$75 million (RM352 million), according to its prospectus launched on Wednesday, to support its next phase of growth. Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tze Tzin Sim, noted the startup’s potential to become the Malaysia-based equivalent of Broadcom, moving the country further up the semiconductor value chain. The Penang-based semiconductor design firm will allocate over 60% of proceeds towards research and development, with the remainder supporting compute infrastructure, development tools, and working capital.
Gobi Recognised As Best Islamic Venture Capital Firm By IFN Investor
Islamic Finance News’ IFN Investor honoured Gobi with the Best Islamic Venture Capital Firm 2025 Award. The IFN Awards recognised participants across the global Islamic financial industry through a voting process. The award reflects the relevance of TaqwaTech and Gobi’s commitment to values-driven innovation.
Gobi Named Among Hong Kong’s First ITVF Fund Managers
Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Venture Fund (ITVF) selected Gobi as part of its first batch of fund managers to invest in local startups across three strategic sectors: artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, life and health technology, and advanced manufacturing and new energy. The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) selected nine firms from 65 applications, assessing them on team experience, investment strategy, performance, and industry networks in and beyond Hong Kong. Each fund manager will serve as a general partner (GP) of the ITVF and raise at least US$58 million (HK$450 million) in non-government capital, with the government committing one dollar for every three dollars raised from the market on a matching basis.
Gobi Backs Transak to Strengthen Global Digital Asset Infrastructure
Gobi invested in global payments infrastructure provider Transak. The company enables compliant movement between traditional currencies, stablecoins, and other digital assets. The investment aligned with Gobi’s conviction that regulated digital asset rails will play a growing role in cross-border settlement, remittances, and financial services as blockchain adoption accelerates globally. More than 600 applications now integrate Transak, which powers onboarding and payments for more than 10 million users.
PolicyStreet Secures $21 Million Series C First Close to Accelerate Regional Growth
Malaysian-born regional InsurTech startup PolicyStreet secured US$21 million in the first close of its Series C round. The round was led by Cool Japan Fund (CJF), Japan’s sovereign wealth fund, with participation from returning investors Gobi Partners and Altara Ventures. PolicyStreet recorded over US$1 million in profit for FY2025, and will use the new capital to support growth, accelerate regional expansion, strengthen its technology infrastructure, and deepen partnerships across Asia.
PanopticAI and Stellerus Selected for Hong Kong’s RAISe+ Scheme
Gobi portfolio companies PanopticAI and Stellerus were included in the latest batch of 24 projects recommended by the Steering Committee of the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme. The Hong Kong government-backed scheme provides funding support for selected projects. PanopticAI’s artificial intelligence-powered app enables remote patient monitoring, while Stellerus develops AI-driven satellite meteorology and climate intelligence solutions.
Bateriku x SVOLT: Powering Malaysia’s EV After-Sales Future
Gobi portfolio company Bateriku entered a strategic partnership with SVOLT Energy Technology Co. Ltd. to support electric vehicle (EV) after-sales services in Malaysia. The collaboration expands Bateriku’s capabilities in battery diagnostics, on-site technical assistance, and replacement protocols, supported by SVOLT’s presence in models such as the Proton e.MAS 5.
Catherine’s Corner: Inside Gobi’s DeepTech Due Diligence for Cortical Labs
In this edition of Catherine’s Corner, Gobi Head of Content and former TechCrunch Senior Reporter Catherine Shu wrote about how the investment team evaluated one of its most complex DeepTech deals. The column outlined the due diligence process used to assess Cortical Labs’ technology and commercialisation potential.
🌟 Introducing the 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥-𝐭𝐨-𝐆𝐁𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 🌏
A 5-day in-person journey (8–12 June 2026) across Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, designed for startups ready to expand into the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Jointly organised by GUIDE, Gobi Partners, and Cyberport, this equity-free and outcome-focused program offers:
Exclusive pitch sessions with 15+ leading VCs
Fundraising masterclasses and advisory
Businesses landing support from corporates and the government
Company visits and supply chain discovery in three key GBA cities
Curated networking with investors and ecosystem leaders
For Pre-Series A startups and beyond, with clear goals to scale into the region. Limited to 15 startups only. Click here to apply.
Nomination Deadline: 31 May 2026