Vantage | March 2020

We are proud of the work our founders and start ups are doing. Here are the latest updates on the portfolio companies across the Vertex network.

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Investments

1. Kuku FM (SEAI) receives USD 5.5m from Vertex Ventures, Shunwei Capital

• Firstcry (SEAI) lands USD 150m from Softbank, enters unicorn club
• Grab (SEAI) raises USD 850m, led by MUFG
• Hasura (US) announces USD 9.9m in Series A funding led by Vertex Ventures US
• Sokowatch (US) raises USD 14m to digitize Africa’s B2B supply chain

Partnership

1. Innoviz Technologies (IL) selected for autonomous truck project at Chinese port

• Yotpo (IL) extends eCommerce marketing platform with Bazaarvoice
• Bicycle Therapeutics (HC & Growth) announces exclusive collaboration with Genentech
• Cylus (IL) and Waterfall partner to deliver cybersecurity solution
• NIUM (SEAI & Growth) signs agreement with Mashreq to enable instant remittance services globally
• Pintec (CN) explores online consumer financial services with aiBank, offers support in coronavirus affected areas
• Spotinst (IL) enters strategic partnership with Cloudride
• Validus (SEAI) Vietnam and Nafoods Group partner to boost agriculture financing

Growth

1. Axonius (IL) selects Mark Daggett to grow channel program, appoints new lead for marketplace expansion
2. Boundless Bio (HC) CEO shares company updates
3. D-Fend Solutions (IL) EnforceAir selected by US Defense Innovation Unit

• HappyFresh (SEAI) ties up with DANA for online payments
• Lechebang (CN) empowers dealers to accelerate online retail presence (article in Chinese)
• Nium (SEAI & Growth) prioritizes global strategy and starts developer lab programme BOLT
• Palleon Pharmaceuticals (HC) appoints Chief Scientific Officer
• Payfazz (SEAI) eyes further funding and regional expansion (article in Bahasa Indonesian)
• Valtix (US) achieves AWS advanced technology partner tier and announces new modern security data exchange
• Binance (CN & SEAI) applies for Singapore crypto license
• Geek+ (CN & Growth) starts US operations, selected for robotics warehouse solution by Nike Japan
• Grab (SEAI) acquires robo-advisor company Bento, launches startup accelerator in Vietnam
• Ivantis (HC) announces positive trial results that show reduced need for invasive surgery
• LeaseLock (US) reports strong momentum in eliminating deposits and releases automated claims for rental housing
• PerimeterX (US & Growth) expands executive leadership team to fuel growth

Recognition

1. Julive (CN) CEO says user needs for online real estate transactions more important than ever during this epidemic period (article in Chinese)
2. Cymulate (IL & Growth) wins two prestigious industry awards

• Geek+ (CN & Growth) nominated for award at Best of Intralogistics 2020
• PerimeterX (US & Growth) finds vulnerability in WhatsApp desktop platform
• Scylla (IL) Enterprise wins Infoworld Technology of the Year award
• Semidrive (CN) CEO shares views on opportunities in the era of smart cars (article in Chinese)