Daily Briefing: NUS to co-invest in 30 deeptech startups annually; Blockchain startup Sky Mavis bags $2.04m funding

And Hong Kong’s Artyzen Hospitality Group will expand to Singapore.

From e27:

Startup generator and early-stage VC firm Antler has partnered with the National University of Singapore (NUS) via its Graduate Research Innovation Programme to launch an executive programme to enable more entrepreneurs to build successful deeptech startups.

Antler and NUS aim to enable and invest in around 30 deeptech startups annually through this joint initiative. They will provide founders with the support to form the right team, funding of up to $240,000 each, and access to their combined global advisory networks.

This programme allows talents to keep their current jobs while they explore finding the right partners and launching their new ventures. With Antler’s methodology, founders with software or deeptech skills will be matched to those with a business background, to create a strong founding team.

Read more here.

From DealStreetAsia:

Blockchain startup Sky Mavis has bagged nearly $2.04m (US$1.5m) in a funding round led by ASX-listed games and app developer Animoca Brands, according to an announcement.

The round was joined by Korean crypto fund Hashed, Swiss Pangea Blockchain Fund, US-based blockchain solution provider ConsenSys and early-stage VC firm 500 Startups.

The lead investor said it subscribed to $420,000 worth of ordinary shares in Sky Mavis in cash and its own shares. It has also signed advisory and collaboration agreements with the owner of blockchain-based game Axie Infinity.

The advisory agreement will see Sky Mavis provide consultation services in the areas of scarcity models, as well as the design, development and distribution of non-fungible tokens.

Read more here.

From TTG Asia:

Hong Kong-based Artyzen Hospitality Group has unveiled its ambitious expansion plans with the announcement of seven pipeline projects across mainland China and Singapore by 2023, while plans to roll out its fourth hotel brand are already in the works.

Since its inception in 2013, the group has been expanding and currently operates six hotels. It will be launching seven properties under the Artyzen Hotel and Artyzen Habitat brands in Singapore and across mainland China over the next two to three years.

Artyzen has also partnered Lujiazui Group to build two integrated developments, which will include residential properties, convention centres, cultural centres and hotels. Meanwhile, the hotel group has plans to introduce another new lifestyle brand before December 2019.

Read more here.