AEI Legal advised tech group International Biometrics on a deal with SGX-listed Yinda Infocomm that values the International Biometrics group at S$69 million. The biometrics sector has seen accelerated growth trajectories recently, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yinda Infocomm’s acquisition of a 51% stake was for a consideration mix of 143,333,000 ordinary Yinda shares issued at S$0.15 per share, and S$13.5 million cash, paid in 2 tranches.

Read more on NextInsight:
YINDA INFOCOMM: Signs deals to enter biometrics industry (nextinsight.net)

AEI lawyers Andrea Chee, Zhitian Law & Yuho Bong advised International Biometrics.

AEI Legal advised fintech startup GajiGesa on its seed funding round, raising US$2.5 million from a number of investors including noted US-based investor Defy.vc. Other investors included Next Billion Ventures, GK Plug and Play, Alto Partners Multi-Family Office, Kanmo Group, and strategic angel investors.

GajiGesa aims to assist workers by providing Earned Wage Access, to alleviate financial stress, and make it easier for workers to manage income.

Read more on Techcrunch:
GajiGesa, a fintech startup serving underbanked Indonesian workers, raises $2.5 million seed round – TechCrunch

AEI lawyers Andrea Chee & Zhitian Law advised GajiGesa.

AEI Legal advised edtech Cialfo on the extension of its Series A round to US$15 million.

The round was co-led by SIG and Vulcan Capital, and included other noted investors such as January Capital, Bisk Ventures, DLF Venture, Alto Partners Multi-Family Office, and Immobillari as well as angel investors Patrick Walujo and Teik Ngan Loy.

Cialfo connects higher education institutions & students across the globe by providing AI-powered college search & application management tools and intends to expand its reach in India, China, and Southeast Asia.

Read more on Entrepreneur:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/364672

AEI lawyers Andrea Chee & Zhitian Law advised Cialfo.

1. Tell us something people don’t often know about you/something you do differently from most other people

In addition to my Law major, I am working towards a minor in Anthropology at Yale-NUS College. I am intensely fascinated by how Anthropological theories offer insight into cultural systems. I also thoroughly  enjoy research in the field. Thus far, all my Anthropology classes have been research paper-based. Applying an Anthropological lens helps me be more sensitive to and appreciative of the cultural aspects of my social environments.

2. What did you learn from the internship - what was the best takeaway?

Andrea shared that one exciting aspect of corporate law practice is being in the position to support business ventures and entrepreneurial ambitions. 

My internship offered a broad range of exposure. I helped draft a novation agreement, corporate governance report, sales agreement, reserved matter approval, letter of resignation, extraordinary general meeting notice, announcement and circular as well as client meeting minutes. I also did research into common seals and dispute resolution forums in Singapore. 

3. What challenges did you face - how did you overcome them?

This was my first corporate law firm internship, so I was not familiar with the nature of many of the documents and the clients’ needs. I had to do research on these documents to better understand the assignment. 

Due to COVID-19, the internship was conducted mostly on a work-from-home basis. However, I did not feel that the quality of my internship experience was compromised because I could easily and frequently communicate with the others. Andrea and Zhi Tian also checked in on me periodically.

4. What advice would you give future interns?

I think it is important to consider the client’s perspective and understand the background of each file. People at AEI are very approachable, so if you have tried your best to figure out your assignment on your own but still feel unsure on how to go about the assignment, you should consider asking your mentor about it. I think it is important to ask for and be open to feedback as well. 

5. Did you enjoy your time?

Most definitely! AEI has a fantastic mentorship culture and collegiate environment. The Associates, especially Zhi Tian, my assigned mentor, were very generous with their guidance and feedback. They also took time to check in on my progress on the assignments and share about legal practice in general. I felt that I was exposed to ‘real’ work during my internship and I am grateful for the opportunity to intern with AEI.

AEI Legal is pleased to announce that it has been ranked as a Notable Firm for Corporate and M&A in the 2021 edition of AsiaLaw Profiles.

We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of our clients & partners for your continued support.