SPOTLIGHTS
RushOwl Raises US$10 Million Series A to Scale Dynamic Ride-Sharing Platform
RushOwl reduces carbon emissions and commute times with its proprietary AI-based dynamic routing algorithm, pooling riders together for efficient shared journeys. The company now operates in Singapore, India and Hong Kong and will use the funding to expand into the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia.
Lymow Powers Up the Next Generation of Robotic Lawn Care
Lymow has secured over US$14 million in funding to advance robotic lawn care, unveiling track-based mowers equipped with 300W cutting systems and RTK-VSLAM navigation that can cover up to 7,000 m² a day — well above industry norms. Its flagship Lymow One sets a new benchmark in performance as the company scales its footprint in global smart home robotics.
Hong Kong as a Strategic Gateway for MENA Investment into Asia
Gobi Managing Partner Chibo Tang highlighted Hong Kong’s role as the financial hub linking the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with Asia. With deep ties to China and ASEAN, a transparent regulatory environment, and strong FinTech and green tech ecosystems, Hong Kong remains the preferred gateway for MENA investors accessing Asia-Pacific opportunities.
MUST-READS
Licensing Landscape for Biotech Startups in Hong Kong
Government support and university spin-offs are driving Hong Kong’s BioTech sector, with Gobi portfolio companies Immuno Cure and GenEditBio part of the momentum. Yet rigid licensing terms still deter investment. Gobi’s Fred Li stressed that more adaptable agreements are key to sustaining growth.
RECENT EVENTS
Marking 10 Years of Carsome’s Evolution and International Growth
Gobi joined CARSOME in celebrating a decade of reshaping how people in Southeast Asia buy and sell secondhand cars at its 10th anniversary gala dinner. Co-founders Eric Cheng and Jiun Ee Teoh reflected on the company’s journey from a comparison site to a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing cars, financing, and an academy that prepares students for automotive careers. CARSOME also announced a new partnership to improve access to car loans.
Boosting Innovation Strategies with Japan’s Startup Ecosystem
The Malaysia–Japan Innovation & Capital Forum brought together startups, corporates, investors, and policymakers to exchange insights on IPO and M&A pathways in Japan, cross-border investment trends, and expansion strategies. Organised by the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO), with the support of Gobi, the forum featured case studies from Aerodyne Group, Soft Space, and Boostorder, alongside discussions on semiconductors, co-creation, and sovereign-grade data platforms.
Gobi Champions Filipino Founders at Echelon Philippines 2025
Gobi strengthened its commitment to the Philippines’ ecosystem at Echelon Philippines 2025, a key platform for the country’s startups. Carlo Chen-Delantar, Partner and Head of ESG and Circular Economy, moderated the panel Purpose is a Growth Strategy: Why Impact-Driven Startups Win in the Long Run. Phoebe Fontanilla, Senior Investment Manager, led the panel Founder Playbooks: Scaling With Limited Resources, emphasising why external funding is a milestone, not the end goal.
Spotlighting Up and Coming International Muslim Storytellers with Muslim Pro
Gobi joined Stories by Muslim Pro to uplift and honour diverse Muslim creatives from across the globe. The event showcased submissions and announced Short Film category winners. It also previewed Madina: The Enlightened City, directed by Abrar Hussain, which will premiere exclusively on Qalbox in October.
Giving Portfolio Founders Hands-On AI Experience with AWS
It is crucial for startup teams to understand AI as it becomes increasingly fundamental to the development process. Gobi recently partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host an Artificial Intelligence Development Life-Cycle workshop in its Kuala Lumpur office for its portfolio founders. They explored how AI can streamline development by building a web application from scratch.