Asset Finance & Alternatives in APAC & Beyond
Aviation Finance, Alt Asset Finance in APAC & Beyond
Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.
Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
Summary
Financing & Investments: Respond.io Raises $62.5 Million Series B; Mynt Prepares IPO Filing; IMDA Launches $48 Million Digital Program; Galaxy Data Center Raises $250 Million; STT GDC Opens Seoul Data Center; K25.ai Raises $10 Million Funding Round; US–Japan Launch $1 Billion AI Pact; and AWS Launches Hanoi Local Zone
Environmental Sustainability: China Resources New Energy IPO Set for Record Raise; UN Global Compact ESG Dataset Launched; AI Data Center Energy Demand Surges; Indonesia Coal Phase-Out Stalls on Contracts; 100×100 Launches $100 Million Climate Fund; and Infrastructure Asia Signs Regional MoUs
Aviation: Cyan Ventures Launches Fuel Accelerator; Xi’an Airport Builds Digital Twin System; EcoCeres Extends SAF Supply Agreement; Noida Airport Begins Operations; and Christchurch Airport Expands Freight Apron
Advanced Air Mobility: Zero Gravity Aircraft Raises Major Funding; Sinopec Begins Carbon Fiber Production; Japan–Italy Vertiport Partnership Formed; Drone Postal Network Launched in India; Merlin Labs Targets Autonomous Flight; and China Advances eVTOL Certification
Marine: AI Welding Automation Partnership Announced; Smart Port System Exported to NEOM; Autonomous Ship Navigation Agreement Signed; Humanoid Robot Tested in Shipyard; AI Digital Twin Shipbuilding System Developed; and Conditional Unmanned Bridge Concept Launched
Space: Kuaizhou-11 Launch Shows Mixed Outcome; Zhuri Space Solar Power Tested; Spacesail Demonstrates Satellite Voice Calls; Gaganyaan and Space Station Plans Advance; and IN-SPACe Funds Space Startups
Financing & Investments
Capital is flowing into AI-driven software, data centers, and cloud infrastructure, alongside IPO activity and public funding programs, reflecting a coordinated push to scale digital platforms and high-performance computing capacity across financial, media, and enterprise services.
Malaysia
Respond.io has secured $62.5 million in Series B financing in a round led by Camber Partners, with participation from Endeavor Catalyst and existing investors. The Malaysia-founded customer communications software company said the funding will be used to expand in North America and Europe, pursue acquisitions in Western markets, and continue investing in product development and customer support.
💡Founded in 2017, respond.io provides software for managing customer communications across messaging, voice, email and social channels. The company said it generates $35 million in annual recurring revenue, serves more than 10,000 businesses in 180 countries, and plans to expand its AI capabilities as demand grows for conversational sales and support tools.
Philippines
Philippine fintech firm Mynt has authorized preparations for a potential initial public offering after receiving approval from its board and shareholders to file the necessary registration and listing documents with regulators. The company plans to seek admission to the Philippine Stock Exchange, with the proposed transaction covering shares equal to 12% of its outstanding stock following the offering. The IPO would include a mix of newly issued and existing shares.
💡Mynt, which operates digital wallet platform GCash, said the transaction remains subject to regulatory clearances, market conditions and other approvals. The company has expanded its digital financial services business in the Philippines through products including payments and lending.
Singapore
IMDA has launched a S$48 million (US$37 million) Digital Content and Capability Development (DCCD) programme to support media professionals and companies in producing digital-first content over the next four years. The initiative aims to help creators adapt to shifting audience behaviour and integrate artificial intelligence into content production workflows.
💡The programme will fund digital content development across social and mobile platforms, as well as capability building in emerging formats such as short-form video and AI-generated content. It includes an accreditation system for companies to access funding calls, with 117 firms already approved in the first round, and aligns with broader national efforts to expand AI skills and strengthen Singapore’s media talent pipeline.
Singapore
Galaxy Data Center has raised $250 million in an initial strategic funding round from an international institutional investor. The company said the capital will be used to expand its data center platform across Southeast Asia, support project delivery and develop high-density infrastructure designed for artificial intelligence workloads.
💡The London- and Singapore-based company is building large-scale AI-focused data center campuses in multiple Southeast Asian markets, using Singapore as its regional base.
Singapore-South Korea
ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC) has opened STT Seoul 1, its first data center in South Korea, through a joint venture with Hyosung Heavy Industries. STT GDC holds a 60% stake in the project, which targets growing demand for AI and cloud infrastructure in Northeast Asia.
💡The facility, in Seoul’s Gasan-dong district, covers about 40,000 square meters and supports up to 30MW of IT load, with commercial operations planned for June 2026. STT GDC said it includes redundant power and cooling systems, efficiency-focused design, and security and sustainability certifications for high-density workloads.
Thailand
NewGenIVF Group Limited has committed an additional $4 million strategic investment in K25.ai, completing the AI livestreaming and prediction-market platform’s $10 million Pre-A round at a $100 million valuation. The Thailand-based firm said the deal increases its expected ownership in K25.ai to 10%, subject to closing conditions.
💡K25.ai has now begun its Series A fundraising to support product launch, regulatory approvals and expansion across selected Asia-Pacific markets. The platform combines AI, livestreaming and prediction-market features, and NewGen also holds exclusive Asia-Pacific agency rights for distribution and partnerships in permitted markets.
USA-Japan
The United States Department of Energy and Japan’s science and industry ministries have announced a $1 billion partnership under President Trump’s Genesis Mission, making Japan its first international partner. Over five years, both sides will contribute $500 million to connect 12 U.S. national laboratories and 12 Japanese research institutions, focusing on AI-enabled research in quantum science, fusion energy, biotechnology, advanced materials, and particle physics.
💡The program will give researchers access to shared high-performance computing, including DOE supercomputers and Japan’s Fugaku, to accelerate scientific discovery. Early work will focus on AI-driven autonomous labs and particle accelerator research involving institutions such as RIKEN, KEK, and J-PARC, with the aim of speeding up innovation in next-generation technologies.
USA-Vietnam
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched its first Local Zone in Vietnam, located in Hanoi, to provide cloud infrastructure with low-latency computing for sectors such as finance, healthcare, gaming and media. The service allows organizations to run workloads closer to end users while using the same AWS tools and APIs as its main regions.
💡AWS said the Hanoi Local Zone is designed to deliver single-digit millisecond latency and support data residency requirements, allowing real-time applications like trading, gaming and streaming.
Environmental Sustainability
Climate and sustainability efforts are expanding through large renewable energy financing, ESG data tools, and climate venture funding, but progress is increasingly shaped by structural constraints in energy transition systems and rising resource pressures from AI-driven data infrastructure demand.
China
China Resources New Energy could raise up to $3.6 billion if its greenshoe option is fully exercised, in what is set to become the largest IPO in Shenzhen’s history. The renewable energy arm of China Resources Power has priced its shares at $1.40 each, aiming to raise about $3.1 billion before the additional share sale option.
💡The company said proceeds will fund wind and solar power projects across China as the country continues expanding clean energy capacity. The listing, which opens for subscription on June 22, would surpass previous Shenzhen records and highlights strong state-backed capital support for renewable infrastructure development.
Global
S&P Global Sustainable1 has launched a UN Global Compact screening dataset covering 16,500 companies, with plans to expand coverage to about 24,000. The tool helps investors, banks and corporates assess company alignment with the UNGC’s principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
💡The dataset combines AI-driven screening of global public sources with human analyst validation to identify controversies and revenue exposure to controversial products. It is designed to help financial institutions monitor ESG-related risks more consistently across portfolios and improve evidence-based investment decision-making.
Global
Data centre electricity demand linked to AI could reach 945 terawatt-hours annually by 2030, nearly three times the combined consumption of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, according to a UN University study. The report also estimates that AI-related water use could match the basic annual needs of about 1.3 billion people by the end of the decade.
💡The study warns that AI’s environmental footprint extends beyond carbon, including pressure on water, land and minerals, with more than 90% of AI computing capacity currently concentrated in the US and China. It also highlights risks from rising e-waste and uneven global access to infrastructure, arguing that AI development must be integrated into broader energy, water and resource planning.
Indonesia
A new Climate Finance Asia report finds that early retirement of coal-fired power plants in Indonesia is being blocked less by funding gaps and more by structural issues, including long-term power purchase agreements, fragmented decision-making, and legal and audit risks for public institutions. The study highlights the stalled Cirebon-1 pilot as an example, where financing interest exists but contractual and governance barriers have prevented execution.
💡Based on interviews and stakeholder mapping across Indonesia’s power sector, the report concludes that coal phase-out efforts require clearer legal authority, safer decision-making frameworks, and more flexible contracts before transition finance can be effective. It adds that concentrated control within state institutions and limited regulatory protection for restructuring also slow progress, even as global pressure to reduce coal use continues to rise.
Singapore
100×100, a Singapore-based climate venture builder and fund co-founded by the team behind Wavemaker Impact, has launched its second fund targeting $100 million. The firm said the capital will be used to build and scale 50 companies focused on reducing emissions across energy, food, materials and supply chains, primarily in Southeast Asia and India.
💡Unlike traditional venture capital, 100×100 builds companies alongside entrepreneurs from the ground up, aiming to accelerate the commercialization of low-emissions technologies. The firm said its portfolio companies are designed to deliver both economic returns and emissions reductions, with Fund I having backed 27 companies across eight countries and raised more than $28 million in external funding.
Singapore-Indonesia & Philippines
Infrastructure Asia has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund, the Philippines’ Public-Private Partnership Center, the Private Infrastructure Development Group, and the World Bank Group at the Asia Infrastructure Forum 2026. The agreements aim to strengthen cooperation on project preparation, improve bankability, and expand access to financing for sustainable infrastructure projects across the region.
💡The MoUs will also support project pipeline visibility, capacity building, and advisory work on structuring infrastructure deals, including collaboration on training programs for public officials and practitioners.
Aviation
Aviation development is shifting toward decarbonization and operational digitization, with initiatives ranging from large-scale sustainable fuel production and long-term airline supply contracts to AI-integrated airport management systems and new airport capacity expansions aimed at improving efficiency, connectivity, and freight handling.
Australia
Cyan Ventures has launched the Green Fuels Accelerator (GFA), a programme backed by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and partners including Qantas and Boeing, to advance seven low-carbon liquid fuel projects toward financial close and commercial production. The initiative aims to reduce project risk by providing regulatory, technical, commercial and financing support, with a focus on boosting domestic fuel supply and cutting Australia’s reliance on imports.
💡The accelerator will help selected projects secure offtake agreements and funding structures needed to reach scale, with industry partners providing advisory input across development stages. Cyan Ventures said the programme is designed to turn early-stage sustainable aviation fuel and other low-emission fuel concepts into operating projects that support aviation decarbonisation and energy security.
China
China West Airport Group (CWAG) is advancing a large-scale digital transformation centred on Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, positioning the group as a benchmark operator in China’s civil aviation sector. The group said it is focusing on building an AI-enabled digital twin of airport operations as part of the third phase expansion, supported by cloud migration, data integration and intelligent infrastructure development in partnership with Huawei.
💡The upgraded airport features a unified digital platform that integrates flight, passenger, baggage and asset data across more than 50 systems, supported by high-performance computing and AI applications. CWAG said the system enables real-time monitoring, operational simulation and predictive management, improving efficiency, safety and service quality while raising flight punctuality above 93% and reducing ground operation times.
Hong Kong-UK
EcoCeres has extended its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply agreement with British Airways through 2030. The deal will see EcoCeres continue supplying waste-based SAF that is expected to cut around 198,000 tonnes of lifecycle carbon emissions compared with fossil jet fuel use.
💡EcoCeres produces SAF from feedstocks such as used cooking oil, with emissions reductions of up to 94.4% and compatibility with existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure. The company said the extension supports efforts to scale SAF production and improve supply certainty as airlines work toward net-zero targets.
India
Noida International Airport (NIA) in Greater Delhi has begun passenger and commercial operations, with IndiGo operating the first inbound flight from Lucknow. The airport, developed and operated by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (a Zurich Airport subsidiary), will gradually scale up services as additional airlines launch routes.
💡The airport is expected to become a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region over time, helping ease congestion at Delhi’s existing airport and improve regional connectivity.
New Zealand
Christchurch Airport has opened a $40 million freight apron, expanding cargo capacity to support growing trade and logistics demand in New Zealand’s South Island. The project, which includes over 11 kilometres of underground services and uses lower-emission materials, is designed to improve efficiency and allow for future freight growth.
💡The apron forms part of a broader investment programme aimed at boosting export capability and supporting long-term regional economic growth.
Advanced Air Mobility
Advanced air mobility continues to shift from experimentation toward early commercialization, driven by rapid industrial scaling of key materials, advancing certification progress in some markets, and expanding real-world deployments in logistics and passenger-focused systems, while regulatory environments remain a key differentiator shaping the pace of adoption across regions.
China
Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry has raised nearly 500 million yuan in a new funding round led by Hefei state-owned assets, with existing investor Seas Capital also participating. The company said proceeds will support eVTOL airworthiness certification, production preparation, and early commercial deployment.
💡The company is developing multiple electric aircraft platforms, including the ZG-T6 tilt-prop eVTOL and the ZG-ONE multi-rotor, both progressing through China’s Civil Aviation Administration certification process. It also operates certified electric light aircraft already in commercial service, which it says provide revenue support as it advances toward larger-scale low-altitude mobility applications.
China
A report by China Media Group says Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical has begun large-scale production of T1000-grade 12K carbon fiber, marking a shift from lab development to industrial output for the high-strength material. The company describes the fiber as suitable for aerospace and other advanced manufacturing applications due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
💡The report notes that the material is targeted at sectors including aerospace, drones, and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, with potential use in structural components and other high-load applications. Sinopec said the product uses a domestically developed wet-spinning process and is ready for scaling as downstream demand develops.
Japan-Italy & USA
UrbanV, an Italy-based vertiport network operator, and Japan Airport Consultants (JAC) have agreed to establish a long-term partnership to support planning, design, and regulatory integration for advanced air mobility infrastructure. The cooperation will focus primarily on Japan, with additional international opportunities, and will include joint research and consulting activities.
💡The first project under the framework will target the Tokyo metropolitan area as part of a consortium led by Japan Airlines and involving Archer Aviation. UrbanV will act as a technical partner to JAC, providing international benchmarking and alignment with global aviation standards, while JAC contributes local experience in airport planning and infrastructure development.
India
Skye Air Mobility and India Post have launched a drone-based postal delivery network across 150 routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam. The program began operations from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, on June 12, shortly after the contract was signed, and is intended to improve delivery access in remote and difficult terrain, including mountainous regions and flood-prone areas.
💡The system uses autonomous drones and an AI-enabled logistics platform to support navigation, routing, and real-time operations without direct piloting for each flight. The network covers 110 locations in Himachal Pradesh and 40 in Assam, with use cases including mail, documents, and small parcels.
New Zealand & USA
Merlin Labs said it is targeting 2027 to begin commercial autonomous flight operations, with certification efforts underway in both New Zealand and the United States. CEO Matt George said the company has conducted hundreds of autonomous test flights since 2022 at its Kerikeri, New Zealand test site, working with local regulators and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on validation pathways.
💡The company’s “Merlin Pilot” system is designed to operate fixed-wing aircraft from takeoff to landing under regulatory oversight. Merlin said it is using New Zealand as a primary test environment and is moving toward the final stages of certification, while also positioning the technology for both commercial and defense applications.
USA & China
A Congressional Research Service report says China has moved ahead in certifying electric air taxis, granting approvals to EHang and AutoFlight for limited commercial use. The report contrasts this with the United States, where the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet certified any eVTOL aircraft for passenger operations.
💡The report notes that FAA certification frameworks for powered-lift aircraft are still under development, with timelines typically spanning several years. It adds that U.S. companies remain in testing and pre-certification stages as regulators work toward enabling initial advanced air mobility operations later in the decade.
Marine
AI and autonomy are reshaping shipbuilding and maritime logistics, with rapid convergence of robotics, digital twin systems, and autonomous navigation technologies, alongside increasing cross-border collaboration focused on scaling efficiency, reducing rework, and advancing stepwise adoption of unmanned and AI-assisted maritime operations.
Canada-South Korea
Novarc Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean to explore AI-driven manufacturing and welding automation for shipbuilding. The collaboration will combine Novarc’s “Physical AI” welding systems with Hanwha Ocean’s shipbuilding expertise to improve precision, efficiency, and reduce rework in complex maritime construction.
💡The partnership brings together industry, government, and research stakeholders from Canada and Korea. It focuses on using AI-enabled robotics to support high-precision welding in commercial and naval shipbuilding, with the long-term goal of advancing more autonomous and adaptive manufacturing systems.
China-Saudi Arabia
Tianjin Port is set to complete the first phase of a smart port system that will be exported to Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Port, marking the first overseas deployment of its Chinese-developed intelligent port solution. The initial shipment includes autonomous transport vehicles, an automated charging system and a digital dispatch platform, along with technical support for installation and testing.
💡The system uses 5G networks, Beidou satellite positioning and AI to enable automated cargo handling and coordination across port operations, and is designed for zero-carbon operation supported by renewable energy and hydrogen trucks. Tianjin Port said the technology improves operational efficiency by about 20% and forms part of its broader push toward fully automated, low-emission port infrastructure.
South Korea
HJ Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Avikus have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on autonomous ship navigation technology. Under the agreement, HD Hyundai Avikus will supply its HiNAS Control system—an advanced autonomous navigation solution—for integration into vessels built by HJ Heavy Industries, with both companies also committing to further joint R&D.
💡Both firms aim to accelerate development of uncrewed and semi-autonomous vessels as South Korea expands testing and real-world deployment of maritime automation technologies.
South Korea
Hanwha Ocean is preparing a shipyard pilot of the AeiROBOT “Alice” humanoid robot at its Geoje facility, aiming to test whether humanoid systems can support labor-intensive and hazardous shipbuilding tasks. The trial will focus on functions such as transport, navigation, obstacle avoidance, and tool handling in complex and constantly changing shipyard environments.
💡The project, developed with AeiROBOT and NdotLight, will first train the robot in a digital twin built using Nvidia simulation tools before moving into real-world testing. Hanwha Ocean will evaluate whether humanoid robots can improve safety and productivity in areas where traditional fixed automation is limited, as the industry looks for new ways to address labor shortages and operational complexity.
USA-Japan
American and Japanese researchers are developing robots and AI systems that can help shipbuilders detect when a vessel under construction deviates from its original design. Led by the University of Michigan with MIT and funded by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the $6.2 million project will deploy mobile robots in shipyards to scan structures and compare them against digital design models.
💡The system will use LiDAR, cameras, and AI to build a real-time “digital twin” of the ship as it is assembled, flagging mismatches such as misplaced pipes or blocked installation routes. It will also suggest fixes and alternatives to reduce rework and delays. The goal is to help shipyards adapt to complex, fast-changing construction conditions while improving accuracy and efficiency.
USA-South Korea
ABS, Polaris Shipping, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and Avikus have signed a four-party agreement to develop a “conditional unmanned bridge” concept for a 325,000-ton Very Large Ore Carrier. The study will explore how autonomous navigation systems could allow ships to operate without crew on the bridge during defined low-risk conditions, such as open-ocean sailing.
💡The project focuses on a phased approach to autonomy aligned with the IMO MASS framework, rather than full vessel autonomy. Avikus will define the navigation system requirements, Hyundai will assess design changes, Polaris will provide real operational data, and ABS will evaluate safety and regulatory compliance. The goal is to identify technical gaps and prepare the concept for future commercial deployment.
Space
China is rapidly advancing launch reliability, space-based solar power experiments, and direct-to-device satellite communications, while India is strengthening its human spaceflight program and scaling commercialization through startup funding,
China
China’s ExPace launched a Kuaizhou-11 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 17 at 11:58 a.m. CST, carrying multiple CentiSpace 05 satellites. The vehicle appeared to complete initial ascent stages successfully, with spent stages recovered in expected drop zones, but no immediate confirmation of mission success was issued afterward.
Early tracking data and later updates suggested mixed outcomes, with indications the rocket may have reached orbit and deployed satellites before potential anomalies affecting at least one payload or late-stage mission performance. The launch is now described by sources as partially successful pending confirmation from operators and orbital tracking agencies, with ExPace expected to release a formal assessment after verifying satellite health and deployment status.
China
Researchers at Xidian University are developing a space-based solar power system under a project called “Zhuri,” aimed at capturing solar energy in orbit and transmitting it wirelessly to Earth. The concept targets geostationary orbit, more than 36,000 km away, where solar collection would be continuous and unaffected by weather or night cycles.
In ground tests led by associate professor Fan Guanheng, the team used large-scale optical concentrators and solar panels to generate electricity, converted it into microwaves, and transmitted it over 100 metres to a rectenna for reconversion into power.
💡The system achieved kilowatt-level transmission and demonstrated multi-target beam steering, with further work focused on modular, formation-flying designs and key challenges such as beam precision, deployable structures, and safety for real-world deployment.
China
Spacesail said it has completed China’s first successful trial of direct-to-satellite voice calls using standard, unmodified smartphones. The company reported stable connectivity and clear voice quality throughout the test, which used its direct-to-cell satellite system designed to connect phones directly to satellites without hardware or software changes.
💡The trial involved the Zhuque-2E rocket launch earlier this month, which carried the Spacesail DTC 01 test satellite. The system is intended to integrate satellite communications with 5G/6G networks, with performance described as comparable to terrestrial mobile service. Spacesail also said its constellation has expanded to about 200 satellites as of June 5.
India
India is preparing for its human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan and plans to develop its own space station, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a visit to Paris. He said the program reflects India’s broader push in space, green energy, and advanced nuclear technology.
💡Gaganyaan, led by Indian Space Research Organisation, aims to send a three-member crew to low Earth orbit at 300–400 km for up to seven days. Modi also confirmed progress toward joint India–France Earth observation satellite TRISHNA, designed to monitor water and agricultural resources for food and water security, developed with France’s CNES and ISRO.
India
IN-SPACe has selected three startups for funding under its Technology Adoption Fund, aimed at accelerating commercialization of space technologies by non-government entities.
💡The selected firms include Astrobase Space Technologies, which will develop a high-thrust closed-cycle liquid rocket engine; SatSure Analytics India, which will build a large Earth observation AI model for remote sensing; and TM2SPACE Technologies, which will develop an AI-powered star tracker system for satellite navigation and imaging accuracy. The funding program is designed to bridge early-stage development and commercial deployment of advanced space technologies.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**