Granite Asia has partnered with Google AI Futures Fund to co-develop and co-invest in AI startups across Asia; while Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a contract with French rail manufacturer Alstom for 200 Metropolis trainsets for Hanoi’s urban rail projects tal Master Plan with a vision to 2045, the city plans an urban rail network spanning 979 kilometres across 18 lines.
Granite Asia, Google AI Futures Fund partner to back Asian AI startups
Singapore-based Granite Asia has partnered with Google AI Futures Fund to co-develop and co-invest in AI startups across Asia, with selected companies eligible for up to $2 million in co-investment each.
The partnership expands opportunities for founders in the Granite Asia Fellows Program, the investment firm’s platform for entrepreneurs building global businesses from Asia. Founders will be sourced through the programme and evaluated jointly by the two firms.
Granite Asia and Google will invest on identical economic terms, subject to their independent investment processes.
The programme will target five areas: scientific discovery and knowledge, industrial transformation, agentic systems for workplace tasks, generative tools for creators, and interactive and personalised entertainment.
Selected founders will also receive access to up to $350,000 in Gemini and Google Cloud credits, early access to AI models including Gemini, Nano Banana and Lyria, and co-development support from Google’s product, research and engineering teams, including Google DeepMind.
Granite Asia will provide board-level mentorship, support for market entry and expansion across Asia, and access to its portfolio companies and industry partners. Founders will retain full choice over their AI technology stack.
Granite Asia manages approximately $11 billion in assets and co-managed capital. Google AI Futures Fund backs AI companies through investment, mentorship, distribution support and early access to Google DeepMind models.
Vingroup signs deal with Alstom for 200 Hanoi metro trainsets
Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a contract with French rail manufacturer Alstom for 200 Metropolis trainsets for Hanoi’s urban rail projects, alongside a technology licensing agreement to support local manufacturing and assembly.
Alstom will manufacture the first 83 trainsets at its Valenciennes Petite-Forêt facility in France. It will also provide technology, engineering expertise, tooling support and key components to enable Vingroup to manufacture and assemble the remaining 117 trainsets in Vietnam.
The five-car trains will feature fully automated, driverless operation, lightweight aluminium bodies and regenerative braking systems to improve energy efficiency.
Vingroup serves as the general contractor for Hanoi’s metro projects through its subsidiary Vinhomes. The partnership aims to supply rolling stock while building local rail manufacturing capabilities.
