Articles by Winnie Liu
China online gaming firm Wangyu Master raises $23m
Wangyu Master, a Chinese online gaming services platform, has raised RMB150 million ($23 million) in a Series A round of funding from a group of domestic investors.
Korean online beauty retailer Memebox raises $66m
Memebox, an e-commerce company that sells Korean beauty products, has raised $65.95 million in Series C funding led by Formation Group, an Asia-focused VC firm launched by Formation 8 co-founder Brian Koo.
Drones: High-flying tech
The exponential rise in drone technology investment during the past few years is now expected to level off into slower growth as venture capitalists discover a galaxy of more nuanced opportunities
Alibaba leads round for China VC-backed e-commerce site
Alibaba Group has led a RMB267 million ($49 million) Series C round for Shandiangou.com, a Chinese mobile shopping and delivery app backed by several VC investors.
China's Fruitday adds $15m to Series D round
Fruitday, a Chinese VC-backed e-commerce site dedicated to selling imported fruit, has received RMB100 million ($15 million) in an extended Series D round from an investment fund backed by Shanghai-listed developer Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.
China payment machines maker Yunnex raises $45m
Yunnex, a China-based point-of-sale (POS) machine manufacturer, has raised RMB300 million ($45 million) in Series B funding from GSR Ventures and other strategic investors.
Sino-US VCs back US online marketplace GrubMarket
GrubMarket, a US-based online food marketplace, has raised $20 million in a Series B round of funding from several Sino-US investors including GGV Capital, Fosun Capital and Danhua Capital.
Chinese internet giants invest $550m in Bitauto unit
Tencent Holdings, Baidu and JD.com have invested $550 million in China-based auto financing platform Yintai Capital. The business was launched by Bitauto, which previously received funding from the three internet companies as well as from PAG Capital.
Discovery buys stake in CMC-backed VS Media
US media company Discovery Communications has acquired a minority stake in VS Media Group, a Hong Kong-based multi-channel network (MCN) that counts China’s CMC Holdings among its investors.
Deal focus: Allegro exits transformed Vulcanite
Allegro invested in capacity and boosted international sales in order to turn Vulcanite from a corporate orphan into an independent player with strong growth prospects. The sale of the business to Continental generated a 2x return
China’s Yunfeng leads $100m round for English tuition site
Yunfeng Capital has led a $100 million Series C round of funding for VIPKID, an English-language learning platform that connects North American teachers with students in China. Existing investor Sequoia Capital also took part.
Shenzhen Fortune commits $15m to insurance platform
Shenzhen Fortune Venture Capital has committed RMB100 million ($15 million) in an extended Series B round of funding for Huize.com, a Chinese third-party insurance services platform.
LP interview: PERA New Mexico
The Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico has seen its private equity portfolio outperform in recent years, but the program is still being revised. CIO Jonathan Grabel explains why
China’s AMAC clamps down on domestic private funds
The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC) – an industry body set up by the securities regulator – has cancelled the registrations of more than 10,000 domestic private fund firms in the past six months as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal...
CMC invests in China sports data provider Cubee
CMC Holdings, an investment platform launched by Ruigang Li, founder of media-focused PE firm CMC Capital Partners, has invested in a Series B round of funding for Cubee.com, a Chinese online sports data and content provider.
Ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing to acquire Uber China
Didi Chuxing, the leading ride-hailing app operator in China, has announced that it will acquire Uber's local operation, ending a costly battle between the two unprofitable businesses. Both companies have received substantial private equity and strategic...
Wanda to acquire PE-backed Chinese movie portal Mtime
China’s largest cinema group Wanda Cinema Line has agreed to assume full control of Mtime.com, a local online movie ticketing platform backed by several VC investors, in a deal worth $280 million.
Chinese regulator to ban domestic VC firms from investing in A-shares
The Chinese government is considering new policies that could ban VC firms from investing in A-share listed companies, a senior official from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) told an industry conference.
China media: Lights, camera, regulation
From movie financing deals to production house acquisitions, Chinese capital is flooding into Hollywood with a view to potential windfalls back home. Should investors believe the hype or wait for the reviews?
Southeast Asia’s aCommerce raises further $10m
Southeast Asia-focused e-commerce solutions provider aCommerce has raised $10 million in new funding ahead of a planned Series B round. The latest commitment is led by MDI Ventures, a corporate VC fund run by Indonesian mobile operator Telkom.
China Resources fund unit backs Meituan-Dianping
CRE Alliance Management, a consumer-focused fund established by state-owned conglomerate China Resources, has invested an undisclosed sum in Meituan-Dianping, China’s leading online-to-offline (O2O) services platform.
Suning, Tencent invest in China VC-backed cosmetic surgery app
Gengmei, a Chinese cosmetic surgery social networking app backed by several VC investors, has raised an undisclosed amount of Series C funding from Chinese companies Suning Commerce Group and Tencent Holdings.
VCs invest $44m in China mobile app developer DotC United
DotC United, a Hong Kong-based mobile app publisher, has raised a RMB300 million ($44 million) Series A round of funding from several Chinese VC investors, including Banyan Capital and Chengwei Capital.
Legend Capital leads $14m round for China’s Udesk
Legend Capital has led a RMB100 million ($14 million) Series B round of funding for Udesk, a China-based customer service outsourcing business.