Media
Japan's 01Booster Capital closes debut fund
01Booster Capital, a Japanese accelerator and VC investor set up in 2012, has closed its debut fund at an undeclared size. It was launched in late 2021.
Japan's Genesia closes Fund III on USD 110m
Japan’s Genesia Ventures, a seed-stage tech investor with a presence in Indonesia and Vietnam, has closed its third fund on USD 110m.
Australia's Fortitude exits Shopper Media to Woolworths
Australian grocery giant Woolworths has agreed to buy Shopper Media Group, an out-of-home digital advertising business with 2,000 screens across more than 400 shopping centres, for approximately AUD 150m (USD 102m).
China media platform Lizhi pursues US listing
Lizhi, a Guangzhou-based audio streaming and social networking platform backed by Matrix Partners China and Morningside Venture Capital, has filed for a US IPO.
Chinese VC in Africa: Cultural barriers
Chinese investors recognize the long-term potential in fostering technology-enabled business models in Africa, but reluctance to engage local stakeholders and develop local knowledge is holding them back
China social e-commerce: Saturated society
The success of Pinduoduo drew dozens of companies – start-ups and established retailers – into China’s social e-commerce space. Investors are now looking for new twists on the model, or just looking elsewhere
Korea start-ups: The graduates
Korea’s start-ups are internationalizing and becoming more technically advanced as the ecosystem matures. A rapidly multiplying flock of local VCs will have to do the same to keep up with them
Korea culture plays: Brands apart
Korean pop music is being used as a marketing tool for a long tail of consumers products and services. While investors are keen to leverage star power, they recognize it doesn’t last forever
Women entrepreneurs: Tales from the coalface
Women remain underrepresented in start-up ecosystems across Asia, but for those who have taken the plunge, there is potential to make a social impact that transcends their respective target markets
Japan's Coral Capital names new partner
Coral Capital, formerly 500 Startups Japan, has named Google Japan’s head of start-ups and strategic relations Ken Nishimura (pictured) as a partner and chief editor.
LP interview: Media Super
Media Super has distinguished itself among larger competitors in Australia by maintaining substantial exposure to alternatives. PE is fading from the allocation mix but VC beckons
Korea's Moiin launches $100m VR fund
Korean virtual reality (VR) hardware developer Moiin has announced plans to launch a $100 million venture capital fund in the US focused on immersive gaming companies globally.
Japan's Gree rebrands as Strive, launches $137m fund
Japan’s Gree Ventures has rebranded as Strive and launched its third fund with a view to raising JPY15 billion ($137 million) for internet company investments across Japan, Southeast Asia, and India.
Dymon makes $145m take-private offer for Singapore's Challenger
Dymon Asia Private Equity (DAPE) has submitted a take-private offer for Singapore-listed digital marketing services provider Challenger Technologies that values the company at about S$195 million ($145 million).
Ascent Capital launches Myanmar PE fund
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm set up last year with a focus on Myanmar, has formally launched its debut fund with about $50 million in confirmed commitments.
China wearables player Nreal confirms $15m Series A
Nreal, a China-based company that makes advanced virtual reality glasses that resemble normal sunglasses, has raised $15 million in Series A funding from investors including Shunwei Capital.
Samsung to expand VC program in $22b innovation drive
Korea’s Samsung has committed KRW25 trillion ($22 billion) to a technology innovation drive that will focus strongly on domestic R&D and include an expansion of the company’s venture incubation program.
Technology risk: Big brother
Advanced technologies experiencing rapid commercialization such as artificial intelligence will be subject to a range of social and regulatory risks. Investors must not ignore the debate on ethical deployment
Goldman, Alibaba lead $600m round for China's Suning Sports
Goldman Sachs and Alibaba Group have led a $600 million Series A round of funding for the sports unit of Chinese electronics retailer Suning, which holds the domestic media rights to a range of sporting competitions. The deal values the business at more...
Malaysia's Sunway launches $50m VC fund
Sunway, a Malaysian conglomerate with operations in real estate and construction, has launched a venture capital fund with a view to raising $50 million.
PE-backed Bigo raises $272m Series D
Chinese media platform operator YY has led a Series D round for Bigo Live, a Singapore-based video streaming company backed by Ping An Insurance, with a $272 million commitment.
Singapore's M17 Entertainment files for US IPO
M17 Entertainment, a Taiwan and Singapore-based media streaming company, has filed to list on the New York Stock Exchange.
MDI leads $10m round for Australia's Whispir
MDI Ventures, the corporate VC arm of state-controlled telecommunications firm Telkom Indonesia, has led a $10 million funding round for Australian communications platform Whispir.
Chinese PE firm to acquire Spain’s Imagina Media
Orient Hontai Capital, a PE unit of China’s Orient Securities, has agreed to buy a 53.5% stake in Imagina Media Audiovisual, part of Spain-based Mediapro Group. The transaction values Imagina at EUR1.9 billion ($2.35 billion).