Say 你好 to 7.5 Degree! This Singaporean startup is focused on bridging the Southeast Asian startup scene with founders, investors and other stakeholders in China. (Oh, and to our Chinese friends, they're known as 7点5度!)

• They've just raised a $1.4M Pre-Series A!

Investor check. East Ventures and several undisclosed investors also joined in on this round.

• Previous backers include Avior Capital (海石资本). East Ventures also invested in their earlier seed round.

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👋🏼 我来了 , SEA!

Founded in 2017, they're the first Chinese digital media company focused on Southeast Asian startups!

• Content is written in Chinese and delivered to a Chinese audience on platforms like WeChat, Weibo and Caixin.
• They've posted over 8,000 pieces of SEA startup and VC news, connected 300+ startups, interviewed 100+ founders and investors and organized over 60 webinars.

But it's not just news. They also connect individuals, host webinars and offer corporate services like consulting!

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🇨🇳 Why it matters

Chinese entrepreneurs going overseas to start a company usually have SEA as their first pick — and this choice is getting hotter and hotter each year! Plus, the massive growth in SEA's digital economy is also making Chinese investors keen on putting in $$$ and Chinese founders keen to expand.

The issue? SEA and China are very different — with different development stages, problems and more!

• This leads to an information and communication gap.

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⌛️ Timelines, timelines

• They were incubated by 云图海外 (Yuntu Haiwai, aka Y Incubator) in 2017. (No, not Y Combinator!) and landed strategic partnerships with Caixin Global and Caixin data that same year.
• They were also incubated by Singapore Management University (SMU)'s incubator and previously signed an MOU with Tech in Asia and e27 in 2018.

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💥 What's next?

They'll be using the new $$$ to grow the team, build their brand and double down on business development!