• Micro Digest
  • Posts
  • 🖍️🕹️ Is This "The Sims" For Kids?

🖍️🕹️ Is This "The Sims" For Kids?

Temasek reported a 5.21% drop in net portfolio value for the financial year ending March 31, 2023

GM. This is micro digest.

Would you like a cuppa?

Because we are the England of SEA tech newsletters. We’ve got all the tea here.

Here’s what we got for you:

  • 🌊 The SEA - SoLeLands - The Indonesian edutech startup that wants to change how kids this age learn

  • SEAppets - Temasek reported a 5.21% drop in net portfolio value for the financial year ending March 31, 2023

  • 💰 SEA Deals

  • 🖼️ AI Image of the day

  • 🐣 Tweet of the day

Markets 📈

The SEA 🌊

You know when I was a kid, I used to eat grass, play with rocks and roll around in the mud but kids nowadays get to play with online games that are actually good for you.

I’m talking about SoLeLands.

🤷‍♂️ Who is SoLeLands?

  • Founded in 2022 by Jonathan Prathama and Adhi Paisoseputra, SoLeLandsis an Indonesia-based immersive game-based learning platform to support kids’ self-discovery

  • The platform focuses on discovering kids' passions and preparing them for future challenges and uses a game-first approach to support parents and educators in their children's development

🖍️ How it works?

  • It’s basically “The Sims” for kids but instead of playing with weird-looking avatars, kids get to learn a thing or two and discover their passion through a multiplayer online role-playing game

  • The platform allows kids to assume the roles of inventors, biologists, archaeologists etc.

  • SoLeLands also offers a talent manager tool to help parents and children collaborate which also allows parents to see their kids' talents and interests

💰 Funding

  • The startup has announced they have raised funding led by East Ventures, with the participation of SMDV to prepare for a soft launch in 2023

  • The funding will help the company provide a unique and engaging learning experience and foster the connection between games and real life.

SEAppets

1. Temasek, an investment firm based in Singapore, reported a 5.21% drop in net portfolio value for the financial year ending March 31, 2023. This was due to the reversal of gains from investments in technology, healthcare and payments, as well as geopolitical tensions and inflation. Temasek has adopted a cautious investment approach and remains ready to step up investments in a market correction. They expect slowing global growth and a challenging macroeconomic environment in Singapore.

2. Hmlet, a Singapore-based co-living apartment operator, has rebranded as Habyt following their merger in 2022 and appointed Jonathan Wong as CEO for the APAC region. The move is in response to the competitive market, and more mergers and acquisitions are expected as companies try to expand and meet customer demand.

3. Speedoc, a Singapore healthtech start-up, has partnered with Parkway Shenton, Singapore's primary healthcare provider, to extend care options and provide hospital-level care to patients within the comfort of their homes. The partnership is part of the Healthier SG initiative, and Speedoc recently concluded a $20.94 million pre-series B funding round in November 2022. Speedoc was founded in 2017 to bring advanced medical care to homes and its services include doctor and nurse home visits, video consultations, allergy and health screenings, virtual hospital wards and remote health monitoring.

4. theAsianparent has launched Project Sidekicks, an initiative to reduce the stillbirth rate in Southeast Asia by 10% over the next three years. They do this through content, community support and tech functions like a kick counter and timely notifications. The project aims to raise awareness and prevent stillbirths and recently celebrated its second anniversary in 2022.

SEA Deals 💰

1. KarirLab, an Indonesian online platform connecting students and employers, has announced pre-seed funding from Alpha JWC and M Venture Partners. The funding will enable the platform to develop products, expand its team and partner with universities and employers. KarirLab has hundreds of thousands of users and aims to be the number one first-jobber career services platform in Indonesia. They seek to integrate AI-based innovations and forge strategic partnerships to develop a more personalized career development platform.

2. Singapore-based blackx music fund has acquired the rights to manage the IP of Tanya Chua's music and compositions. The deal will cover all of Chua's top hits and collaborations with other artists. blackx will focus on maximising Chua's existing music IP to create and curate new works across a variety of audio-visual formats. This is blackx fund's second acquisition since its launch last year.

3. Temasek Holdings' venture capital arm, Vertex Venture Holdings, has raised over $900 million for its latest fund and is aiming to reach a total of $1 billion. The fund has gained support from four Japanese investors, opening up new opportunities for collaboration with Vertex's portfolio companies in the Japanese market.

Ok, there’s something I need to admit: This newsletter is NOT free.

Yes, we lied. If you want to keep getting this newsletter for free, as a gentlemen’s agreement and ladies understanding, you have to share it with your friends. The more people know about it, the more motivated we are to bring you the best content.

AI Image of The Day 🖼️

The Rock Wick - Dwayne Johnson as John Wick

Tweet of The Day 🐣

The type of friends I want.

“Good friends consume together, great friends create together”

Consume = watch movies, drink beer etc.

Create = build side projects, play sports etc.

That’s a wrap for today. See you all tomorrow! 👋

If you like micro digest and want to support our work:

Join the conversation

or to participate.