China’s ZhenFund has led the seed funding round for video editing startup ChatCut, while Joy Group has fully acquired Italy’s Foltene.
Antler backs ChatCut’s seed round
US-based video editing startup ChatCut has raised $1.35 million in its seed funding round anchored by China’s ZhenFund and joined by Singapore-based early-stage investor Antler, according to an announcement.
The proceeds will help ChatCut extend beyond editing toward a broader AI-enabled video creation platform, the firm said.
ChatCut, founded by director–producer duo Kaiwen Li and Alima Strickland, uses conversational AI to turn natural-language prompts into professional edits, aiming to compress workflows from hours to minutes.
Antler’s investment comes as it invested $7.4 million into startups across Southeast Asia during the first half of 2025. The Antler-funded startups in H1 2025 span key innovation hubs across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
Joy Group acquires Italy’s Foltene
China’s Joy Group said it has completed the acquisition of Italy’s Foltène, a dermatological hair-care brand founded in 1944 in Milan, expanding its portfolio into scalp and hair health.
The deal is a full global acquisition of Foltène’s brand business, covering trademarks, its distribution network, supply chain, and an R&D laboratory in Italy, the firm said in a statement. Financial terms remain undisclosed.
Foltène is known for proprietary active complexes Tricosaccaride and Tricalgoxyl, which it says are clinically proven to support thicker, fuller hair.
Joy Group, whose brands include JUDYDOLL, JOOCYEE, and the China business of René Furterer, said the acquisition advances its “multi-brand, multi-category, and international” strategy.
