Articles by Winnie Liu
Blue Lake reaches $120m first close on China VC fund
Blue Lake Capital, a China-focused VC firm led by two former GGV Capital and Sequoia Capital executives, has reached a first close of more than $120 million on its second early-stage fund. The full target is $200 million.
Warburg Pincus to buy stake in Chinese mutual fund business
Warburg Pincus is set to acquire Société Générale's (SocGen) 49% interest in Fortune SG Asset Management, a Sino-foreign mutual fund joint venture with China’s Baosteel Group.
China First Capital to acquire Korean online education platform
Hong Kong-listed investment group China First Capital plans to acquire 54% of SJW International, a Korea-based online video English training platform, for about $135 million.
Fosun, Sanyuan to buy margarine maker from European GP
Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group has teamed up with Beijing Sanyuan Foods to buy French margarine maker St Hubert from Montagu Private Equity for EUR625 million ($734 million).
China’s Xiaomi confirms $1b debt deal
Chinese PE-backed smart phone maker Xiaomi has raised a new $1 billion loan to support global expansion and the build-out of its offline retail network.
Joy Capital leads $105m round for China’s Shopex
Joy Capital, a Chinese VC firm that spun out from Legend Capital, has led a RMB700 ($105 million) Series D round for Shanghai ShopEx Network Technology, an e-commerce software and services provider.
Hony, SoftBank commit $500m to WeWork China unit
US-based co-working space operator WeWork has raised $500 million from investors led by Hony Capital and Japan’s SoftBank to create a dedicated Chinese entity as part of efforts to compete with local rivals.
IDG co-leads round for China security software developer
IDG Capital and CASH Capital, the VC arm of the state-owned Chinese Academy of Sciences Holdings, has co-led a RMB100 million ($15 million) Series B round for Hansight, a Beijing-based cybersecurity company.
China-based English language learning app secures Series C
CMC Capital Partners and Wu Capital – a Beijing-based family office for Longfor Properties – have jointly led a Series B round of funding for Liulishuo, a language learning app powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Chinese financial tech firm Qiancheng gets $30m
Qiancheng Technology, a Chinese financial technology company that provides micro-lending services, has raised a RMB200 million ($30 million) Series B round of funding from existing investors Tiantu Capital and U51.com, a VC-backed credit card management...
China's VC-backed DotC United raises $350m Series B
Chinese mobile app publisher and developer DotC United, which is backed by several VC investors, has raised a Series B round of funding worth $350 million.
China project funds: Cut to fit
Project funds have become popular in China on the back of increased demand for PE exposure from corporates and high net worth individuals. It remains to be seen if they have true staying power
Chinese self-driving car start-up Momenta raises $46m
Momenta, a Beijing-based start-up that develops road sensors and mapping software for self-driving cars, has raised a $46 million Series B round of funding led by NIO Capital, an investment unit of local electric-vehicle maker NIO.
IDG leads $50m round for China online pet store
IDG Capital has led a Series B round of funding worth $50 million for Epet.com, a Chinese e-commerce platform that sells pet-related food products and other services.
Sequoia, Mission back Singapore’s One Championship
One Championship, a Singapore-based mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, has secured a new funding round led by Sequoia Capital India and Mission Holdings – an investment vehicle owned by billionaire Saurabh Mittal.
China self-service karaoke booth operator raises $15m
Xingtang MiniKTV, a three-month-old Chinese start-up that operates self-service karaoke booths, has raised $15 million across three tranches of funding.
China smart convenience store operator raises $19m
Xiaomai, a Chinese cashier-free convenience store operator much like US-based Amazon Go, has secured RMB125 million ($19 million) in funding led by Aplus Fund and Chenshan Capital.
Deal focus: Naked Hub scales up for WeWork challenge
Asian co-working space operators Naked Hub and JustCo have decided to join forces to fend off competition from WeWork, a US-based sector leader now encroaching on the regional market. As a joint expansion program rolls out, pricing control will be a key...
PAG backs Home Credit for expansion in China
PAG Asia Capital has agreed to invest approximately RMB2 billion ($296 million) in a Hong Kong unit of Czech-based consumer loans company Home Credit Group, with a view to supporting the company's expansion in China.
Yunfeng invests in China tourism services provider
Yunfeng Capital has invested in Beijing Davost Tourism & Cultural Creativity, a provider of resorts management and other support services to the Chinese tourism industry.
CITIC Capital, 3i acquire German auto services provider
China-focused GP CITIC Capital has teamed up with 3i Group to acquire Formel D - a German provider of vehicle testing and other support services to the auto industry - from private equity firm Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG).
China logistics platform Yimidida secures $44m Series B
CDH Investments has led a RMB300 million ($44 million) Series B round for Yimidida, a Shanghai-based logistics services platform that focuses on rural areas.
China cross-border VC: Home from home
Chinese capital is chasing deals in America’s technology space, but success in Silicon Valley requires a long-term commitment. Does the new breed of US-born Chinese VCs have the right cross-border strategy?
Gome invests in China VC-backed home renovation play
Gome Holding Group, one of China's largest electrical appliance retailers, has invested RMB216 million ($31 million) in a Series C round of funding for Ikongjian.com, a VC-backed online-to-offline (O2O) interior design platform.