Technology
Singapore launches first equity crowdfunding platform
Andy Lim, co-founder of Tembusu Partners and founder financial services group MoneyWorld, has launched Singapore's first equity crowdfunding platform.
Sydney launches financial technology start-up hub
Sydney has launched a hub for financial technology start-ups, supported by initial funding of A$2 million ($1.6 million) from a string of Australian banks, property and technology firms in collaboration with the New South Wales government.
Taiwan’s MediaTek launches $300m corporate VC fund
MediaTek, a leading Taiwanese fabless chipmaker, has launched a $300 million venture fund that will invest in global start-ups.
China gold rush: Venture in bloom
Flipping through the pages of a men's magazine in an airport lounge, I can't help but notice that double-breasted suits being hailed as one of the next big trends in menswear. Yes, the Gordon Gekko look, with some updates, is back. And like the fashion...
Big data: Number crunchers
Already an established investment trend, big data is becoming increasingly mainstream. From a VC perspective, the money will be made by going specialist and helping clients turn numbers into commercial action
Maverick commits $15m to India adtech start-up
Maverick Capital Venture - the venture capital affiliate of hedge fund Maverick Capital - has led a $15 million round of funding for India and Southeast Asia-focused mobile marketing data platform Vserv.
Fenox invests $2m in Japan solar energy marketplace
Fenox Venture Capital has invested $2 million in I AND C-Cruise (IACC), the Japanese start-up behind solar power web portal Green-EnergyNavi.com.
OTPP commits funding to Singapore mobile platform Garena
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has led a new round of funding for Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Garena. Existing shareholders also participated.
Japan's INCJ joins acquisition of US biopharma firm
The government-backed Innovation Network corporation of Japan (INCJ), life sciences company JSR Corporation, and pharmaceutical research firm CMIC Holdings have together purchased US-based KBI BioPharma for an undisclosed sum.
VC-backed Ola acquires smaller rival TaxiForSure
India's largest VC-backed taxi-booking service Ola has acquired its smaller rival TaxiForSure for $200 million in a cash and stock deal.
KKR completes Japanese DJ equipment division purchase
KKR has completed its acquisition of Japanese electronics manufacturer Pioneer Corporation's DJ equipment division - Pioneer DJ.
China’s online drugstore 7LK raises $48m from VCs
Chinese online drugstore 7LK.com has raised RMB300 million ($48 million) in a Series A round of funding from Govtor Capital, Grand Yangtze Capital and TusPark Ventures.
Leadyond in partial exit from China’s NSFocus Information
Leadyond Capital has partially exited its stake in NSFocus Information Technology, a Chinese network security services specialist, via a public market trade for RMB140.5 million ($22 million).
Indian food ordering service TinyOwl raises $16m
Indian food ordering service TinyOwl has managed to raise a $16 million Series B round of funding led by Matrix Partners. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Nexus Venture Partners also took part.
India home delivery service Grofers raises $10m
India grocery delivery service Grofers has raised a $10 million Series A round of funding from Tiger Global management and existing investor Sequoia Capital.
China’s Galaxy Game Entertainment raises $16m
Shanghai Galaxy Game Entertainment, a Chinese mobile games developer, has raised RMB100 million ($16 million) in a Series A round of funding from Shenzhen Oriental Fortune, Shenzhen Green Pine Capital and Shanghai Cultural Industry Fund.
Accel, Matrix invest $111m in NZ accounting software firm
Accel Partners, and existing investor Matrix Capital, have together invested NZ$147.2 million ($111 million) in New Zealand-listed accounting software developer Xero.
Japan's Nippon Venture, ATR set up $42m specialist tech fund
Nippon Venture Capital (NVC) and the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Kyoto have set-up a JPY5 billion ($42 million) fund for niche technology investments.
Singapore space junk start-up raises $7.7m Series A
Astronscale, a Singapore-based start-up that develops satellites to remove space debris, has raised $7.7 million in a Series A round of funding from JAFCO and nine entrepreneurs from Japan.
SAIF, Accion invest in India’s Aye Finance
SAIF Partners and Accion - a global non-profit organization - have invested $1 million in Aye Finance, an India-based lender that serves profitable micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Indian P2P rental property listings site NoBroker raises $3m
SAIF Partners and Fulcrum Ventures have taken part in a $3 million Series A round of funding for NoBroker, a Bangalore-based peer-to-peer (P2P) property listings site for renting homes.
Chinese K12 education site 17zuoye raises $100m
H Capital has led a $100 million Series D round of funding for 17zuoye.com, a Chinese K-12 online learning and teaching platform. Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, DST Advisors and Shunwei Capital Partners, also took part in the round.
NXP forms Chinese semiconductor JV with JAC Capital
NXP Semiconductors, a Dutch chip manufacturer listed in the US, has announced it plans to form a Chinese joint venture with state-owned private equity firm JianGuang Asset Management (JAC Capital).
Helion leads $5m round for Indian shopping app
Indian fashion discovery and shopping app Wooplr has managed to raise $5 million in a Series A round of funding led by Helion Venture Partners.