Venture
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Matrix, Valara invest $150m in New Zealand's Xero
New Zealand-based online accounting software company Xero has raised a NZ$180 million ($150 million) round from existing backers Matrix Capital Management and Valara Ventures. The transaction was priced at $15.10 per share for 9.92 million shares - representing...
Singapore's DCP leads $20m Series B for Amaranth Medical
DCP Management has led the $20 million Series B round of funding for Amaranth Medical, a medical device manufacturer. Existing investors Bio*One Capital, Charter Life Sciences and Phillip Capital, as well as new entrant Venstar Capital, also participated.
Sierra Ventures leads Series C round for China's Social Touch
Chinese social marketing services provider Social Touch has raised $10 million in Series C funding from a group of investors led by Sierra Ventures. Legend Capital and GGV Capital, which backed the company in its previous two rounds, also participated.
VC-backed Eneres in $25m Japan IPO
Eneres, a venture capital-backed energy resources management firm, saw its stock more than double to JPY717 on its first day of trading in Tokyo yesterday following a JPY2.5 billion ($25 million) IPO.
Japan online fish seller raises $1.5m VC round
Hachimenroppi, a Japanese firm that operates an IT-enabled fresh fish distribution platform, has secured a JPY150 million ($1.5 million) round of investment from Pygmalion No 2, a venture fund managed by Tokyo-based firm Value Create. Two strategic investors...
Online tourism: Ticket to ride
Online tourism is on the rise in emerging Asia and numerous venture-backed businesses are looking to hitch a ride on the consumer growth trend. The key is finding the right niche
Singapore payment platform Fastacash receives Series A round
Fastacash, a Singapore-based social payments platform, has raised a $3 million in Series A round from Jungle Ventures, Spring Seeds Capital and Hong Kong-based Funding the Future (FTF).
Matrix Partners exits China Bona Film to Fosun
Matrix Partners China and other undisclosed pre-IPO shareholders have exited a 6.4% stake in Bona Film Group, a NASDAQ-listed film distributor in China, to Chinese conglomerate Fosun International for $20.8 million.
INCJ, VCs back Japan big data firm Smart Insight
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) is to invest up to JPY1 billion ($10.3 million) in Smart Insight Corp, a big data analysis software developer for the corporate sector. The business has also secured JPY400 million from Energy & Environment...
VC-backed Value HR sees shares double after $8.5m Japan IPO
VC-backed Value HR, a Japanese human resources benefits service provider, saw its stock more than double in value to JPY4035 ($41.5) on its trading debut in Tokyo on Friday.
VC-backed Forgame raises $206m in HK IPO
Forgame Holdings, a Chinese mobile game developer backed by several VC firms, saw its stocks jump 32.4% to HK$67.50 ($8.7) a share on its first day trading following its $206 million Hong Kong IPO yesterday.
Kyoto University launches $60m venture fund
Japan's Kyoto University has launched its second venture fund, a $60 million vehicle which will invest in start-ups in Japan and the rest of Asia.
Matrix backs hotel reservation site Stayzilla.com
Matrix Partners India has acquired a significant minority stake in Stayzilla.com, a site which allows users to research and reserve hotels at discounted rates in more than 750 Indian cities. The financial details of the deal, in which Matrix was the sole...
Indian car rental site ZoomCar raises $1m in seed round
New York-based Empire Angels has led a $1 million seed round for Indian car rental service ZoomCar. Funders Club, Basset Investment Group and former US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Lady Barbara Thomas Judge also took part in the...
TVS Capital Funds restructured
TVS Capital Funds, which manages the INR11 billion ($178 million) TVS Shriram Growth Fund, will merge with holding company TVS Investments to simplify the corporate structure.
IDG, CreditEase to launch financial innovation fund
IDG Capital Partners and CreditEase, a Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) microcredit lender, have set up a financial innovation fund, targeting a first close of $100 million. The vehicle - IDG CreditEase Financial Innovation Fund – will support online financial...
500 Startups raises $44.1m second fund
Silicon Valley-based incubator 500 Startups has held a final close of $44.1 million second fund that will back seed and accelerator companies. The vehicle – 500 Startup Fund II - is larger than its predecessor but below the $50 million target.
Tech IPOs: An issue of control
Alibaba Group wants the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to permit a bespoke IPO structure that would allow management to retain board control. By refusing, is the bourse going to forgo more China tech business?
KPCB, IPV back Singapore stock market app Series A round
Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers (KPCB) and IPV Capital have together led a $10 million Series A round for MyHero, the Singapore-based start-up behind the stock market simulation app TradeHero.
Singapore government to invest $39m in start-up ecosystem
The Singapore government is to pump an extra S$50 million ($39 million) into its early stage co-investment vehicle in a bid enliven the city state's start-up ecosystem.
Alibaba acquires VC-backed cloud computing Kanbox
Alibaba Group has agreed to buy Kanbox, a Chinese cloud storage service provider backed by Susquehanna Asia Investment and DCM. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
Horizons Ventures backs Zoom Video Series B round
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing’s Horizons Ventures, which is known for investments in Facebook and Skype, has led a $6.5 million Series B funding round for Zoom Video Communication, a California-based cloud conferencing operator.
Malaysia launches $100m clean tech fund
Malaysia has teamed up with Japan-based Asian Energy Investments to form a $100 million venture capital fund to invest in clean technology in South East Asia.
IDG invests in Chinese personal finance app developer
IDG Capital Partners has provided a Series A round of funding for Hangzhou Wacai Science, a Chinese personal finance management mobile app developer. Terms of transaction was undisclosed but the investment was said to be more than $10 million.