Technology
INCJ invests in Japan laser manufacturer Spectronix
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has agreed to invest up to JPY500 million ($4.2 million) in laser manufacturer Spectronix.
Hahn & Co-backed Cowell e Holdings targets $153m offering
South Korea-focused GP Hahn & Co. is set to make a partial exit from electronics manufacturer Cowell e Holdings as the company seeks to raise up to HK$1.19 billion ($153 million) through its Hong Kong IPO.
VC-backed Snapdeal buys stake in logistics platform
Jasper Infotech, the VC-backed enterprise behind Indian online marketplace Snapdeal, has bought a 20% stake in QuickDel Logistics, operator of e-commerce logistics platform Gojavas.
China’s Sailing makes partial exit from Israel-based Mobileye
China’s Sailing Capital has raised $77.5 million by selling a portion of its shares in Mobileye, an Israel-based road accident avoidance technology developer that went public in the US in August last year.
HK’s Nest appoints ex-Intel executive to set up accelerator franchise
Hong Kong-based seed investor Nest has appointed Peter Dingle, formerly of Intel Corporation, to lead its newly-established Branded Accelerators program.
Indonesia start-ups: Growth inflection
Indonesia has relatively incubators, angels and entrepreneurs with businesses of investible quality. Does the recent large investment in Tokopedia suggest the start-up ecosystem is now coming of age?
India Value Fund commits $50m to taxi firm Meru
India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA) has injected a fresh $50 million in radio taxi service Meru Cab, and is understood to be in talks to invest an additional $100 million in the next two months.
China’s Cheetah Mobile buys VC-backed mobile ad network
Cheetah Mobile, a US-listed Chinese internet security software provider backed by Matrix Partners and Tencent Holdings, has purchased VC-backed mobile ad network MobPartner for $58 million.
PE investors exit India's SFO Technologies
IL&FS Investment Managers Limited (IIML), Franklin Templeton and Asia Mezzanine Capital Group (AMCG) have exited SFO Technologies, a leading Indian technology manufacturer.
Japanese restaurant app Retty raises $8.2m
Fidelity Growth Partners Japan has led a JPY1 billion ($8.24 million) Series C investment in Retty, a Japanese social restaurant guide. Existing investors also took part.
China interior design site To8to raises $200m
To8to, a Chinese interior decoration service platform, has raised $200 million in a Series C round of funding from Sequoia Capital, Matrix Partners China and classifieds online marketplace 58.com.
Japan's Rakuten leads $530m Series E round for Lyft
Japanese e-commerce player Rakuten has led a $530 million Series E round of funding for US ride sharing app Lyft - valuing the business at $2.5 billion. Fortress Investment Group also participated.
SummitView consortium agrees $639m take private of ISS
A consortium led by Chinese GP SummitView Capital has agreed to buy NASDAQ-listed semiconductor manufacturer Integrated Silicon Solution (ISS). The deal values the company at approximately $639.5 million.
Alibaba, SAIC Motor launch $160m internet car fund
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and SAIC Motor, the country's largest automaker, have launched a RMB1 billion ($160 million) fund to invest in the development of internet-enabled cars.
South Korea's Memebox raises $17.5m from VCs
Beauty-focused e-commerce start-up Memebox has raised a $17.5 million Series B round of funding from a consortium of VC backers.
Tiger Global, Accel commit $5m to India's ChargeBee
US-based Tiger Global has led a $5 million Series B round for India-based subscription billing system developer ChargeBee. Existing backer Accel also participated.
China's Alibaba to invest $200m in Snapchat - report
Alibaba Group plans to commit $200 million to US-based social network Snapchat.
Lightspeed backs China’s DaoCloud
Lightspeed China Partners has invested in DaoCloud, a Chinese cloud computing start-up.
VC-backed Flipkart acquires India's AdIQuity
Indian VC-backed e-commerce giant Flipkart has acquired AdIQuity, a domestic mobile ad network. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Hahn & Co-owned Cowell e Holdings files for Hong Kong IPO
Cowell e Holdings, a portfolio company of South Korea-based Hahn & Co. portfolio and a major supplier of camera modules used in Apple devices, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Korea's SMBA, IDG form $91m VC fund
IDG Capital Partners and South Korea's Small and Medium Business Administration have agreed to form a KRW100 billion ($91 million) VC fund that will help Korean businesses enter the China market.
Global ambitions: China targets Israel VC
Chinese corporates and financial investors are gravitating to Israel in their quest for high-end technology. This has buoyed local VC activity and more cross-border expansion is likely to follow
Korean education social network raises $3.2m
Classting, a South Korean social networking site for students and teachers, has raised a KRW3.5 billion ($3.17 million) Series B round of funding led by Partner Investment, a tech-focused PE firm based in Seoul.
CVC-backed HKBN IPO prices at top of range, raises $750m
Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN), an internet service provider controlled by CVC Capital Partners, has raised HK$5.8 billion ($750 million) in its Hong Kong IPO.