Singapore-based sports intelligence startup Aiko has announced raising $1.5 million in a pre-seed round to expand its real-time data product for broadcasters and interactive entertainment firms.
The round was backed by a consortium of unnamed private investors and Aiko said the funding will support product development, commercial deployments, and international expansion.
The startup said there is a growing demand for data-driven live sports experiences ahead of events such as the FIFA Club World Cup 2026.
Aiko, which has a subsidiary in London, develops a real-time intelligence layer that transforms licensed live sports statistics into contextual and personalised insights for fans, commentators, analysts, and broadcasters.
Its platform can generate match narratives, personalised highlight reels, and real-time explanations of key moments, while also serving as a research tool for commentary teams. It also supports multilingual delivery for global audiences.
Founder and CEO Vaibhav “Vebz” Panchal said the product was built to help audiences, commentators, and analysts make sense of fast-moving live action in real time.
AI startup Sapiens scores $20m in fresh funding
Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup Sapiens AI has raised $20 million in fresh funding as it pushes to build homegrown AI models tailored for Asian markets.
The fresh funding will be used to speed up model development, expand its engineering team, and strengthen the computing infrastructure needed to train its systems, the startup said.
Founded by former technology executives and AI researchers, Sapiens AI is developing large language models and enterprise AI tools for industries, including finance, healthcare, and government services.
Its focus on locally developed models reflects a broader effort across Asia to reduce reliance on foreign AI platforms and create systems better suited to regional languages, regulations, and business needs.
The valuation attached to the funding round or details on the identity of the investors were not disclosed. DealStreetAsia has reached out to Sapien for further details.
SOUTHEAST ASIA DEAL MONITOR
DealStreetAsia has put together a table listing prominent startup investments in Southeast Asia for the week starting March 9, 2026.
| Startup name | Headquarters | Investment Size | Investment Stage | Lead investor(s) | Other Investor(s) | Industry / Verticals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAST | Singapore | $80,000,000 | Series A | QED Investors, Left Lane Capital | Peak XV Partners, HSG, DST Global | Payments |
| Sapiens AI | Singapore | $20,000,000 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | AI | |
| Aiko | Singapore | $1,500,000 | Pre-Seed | Undisclosed | Sports Tech |
