From AI breakthroughs to better farming and healthcare access — 500-backed startups are solving real-world problems at scale. This month, we spotlight three trailblazers leading the charge: Featherless.ai, which just raised US$5M to make AI deployment more efficient, effective and affordable to businesses and individuals globally; Elevarm, combining tech with tradition to boost farmer livelihoods; and Bumame, pushing for personalized healthcare across Indonesia. These stories are just the beginning —  read on for a curated roundup of more game-changers making waves.

Missed our last highlights issue? Check it out here.

• Featherless.ai raises US$5M Seed to tackle compute costs inefficiencies, accelerate AI adoption, and decentralize it from tech giants globally
• Elevarm raises US$4.25M to support 15,000+ farmers with healthier yields and income by combining AI-powered tools with traditional farming knowledge
• Bumame raises pre-Series A to bring personalized healthcare, early detection, and faster diagnostics to everyone in Indonesia
• RedDoorz achieves first year of positive adjusted earnings by focusing on its core network of 4,200+ hotels across Indonesia and the Philippines
• iMotorbike’s Gil Carmo on NYSE Floor Talk: Transforming motorcycle trading to fuel economic engines across Asia
• Kredivo Group acquires GajiGesa to unlock financial freedom for low-wage workers with instant access to earned wages
• Involve Asia and REV Media Group launch Malaysia’s first all-in-one affiliate marketing platform to help brands maximize growth and sales
• Kata.ai’s Irzan Raditya on how the next frontier in AI will transform how we tackle complex tasks
• Malaysia’s leading sports insurer YAS eyes Southeast Asia expansion to serve more people with affordable & flexible insurance
• Prefer is reimagining coffee, chocolate, and more with flavors that future-proof businesses and fuel sustainable living
• Transcelestial launches Singapore’s first inter-satellite laser communications mission, a bold step to advance deep space network
• Halogen Capital is redefining how high-net-worth and institutional investors approach digital asset investment in Malaysia

Other stories from 500-backed companies you may have missed:

• Clinikk raises funds from Beyond Capital Ventures as part of their Series A+ round to increase healthcare accessibility and affordability for India’s aspirational class
• Lingokids app to launch ‘Blippi’ games in new deal with Moonbug Entertainment
• Grab Philippines introduced the Grab CommuniKit for deaf driver-partners, marking their commitment to inclusivity in the transportation sector
• Virtualtech Frontier Co-founder & CEO Jason Low shared how the team is breaking new ground in virtual and immersive technology, making immersive experiences more accessible than ever before
• Laka expanded their partnership with Decathlon and will now offer insurance to all customers in Germany