Articles by Larissa Ku
Chinese fresh produce retailer Benlai raises $200m
Chinese online fresh produce retailer Benlai Group has raised $200 million in the first tranche of a Series D round led by Mingde Holding. Existing investors Gaorong Capital and CDH investments re-upped.
Tencent injects $150m into China's VIPKid
VIPKid, China-based English language learning platform, has announced the completion of a Series E funding round led by Tencent Holdings.
Co-Stone leads $28m Series B for Chinese gene sequencer
Gene+ Technology, a Chinese provider of gene sequencing services used to support cancer diagnoses, has raised RMB200 million ($28 million) in a Series B round led by Co-Stone Asset Management.
Industrial intrigue: China's industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is a handy buzzword for those selling a manufacturing upgrade story in China, but implementation remains a challenge. Smart Fabric’s efforts make it the exception to the rule
Chinese start-up media player 36Kr files for US IPO
36Kr, a Chinese news service that covers start-ups and emerging business models, has filed for a US IPO.
Chinese snacks business receives $14m Series B
A1 Snack Lab – a Chinese snack brand based in Xiamen - has received RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series B funding from new and existing investors.
PE-backed Chinese health products distributor files for US IPO
Ecmoho, a China-based online distributor of health and wellness products from leading brands such as Abbott and Wyeth Nutrition, has filed for US IPO.
Chinese community group buying player receives $14m
Chujia Xinxuan – a community group buying platform under Guangzhou-based Chang Zheng Group - has received RMB100 million ($14 million) from GF Xinde Investment, an investment arm of GF securities.
Chinese enterprise software provider gets $35m Series A
Deepexi, a Chinese digital enterprise services provider, has raised $35 million in a Series A round led by Morningside Venture Capital, Hillhouse Capital and IDG Capital.
China autonomous driving start-up receives $50m pre-A
DeepRoute, a Shenzhen-based autonomous driving solutions provider, has received $50 million in a pre-A funding round led by Fosun RZ Capital.
Green Pine raises $140m for RMB tech fund
Shenzhen Green Pine Capital Partners (GPCP) has raised RMB1 billion ($140 million) for a fund that will target artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and internet of things (IoT) investments in China.
Hony invests $42m in Xinhua News Agency's mobile platform
Hony Capital has agreed to pay RMB300 million ($42 million) for a 20% stake in Xinhua Xuanmen, a mobile platform launched by China's state-owned Xinhua News Agency.
Chinese auto parts supplier raises $28m in Series A extension
Mancando, an automotive parts supplier based in Guangdong province, has raised RMB200 million ($28 million) in an extended Series A round led by Legend Capital, with participation from Eastern Bell Venture Capital, Galaxy Capital, and Oriza FoF.
China healthcare AI: A learning process
Most healthcare-focused artificial intelligence start-ups in China focus on image-based diagnosis assistance, but deep learning-based drug discovery might be the key application
Tencent, Sequoia lead $100m Series C for China's Smart Fabric
Smart Fabric, a start-up that seeks to digitize China’s textile industry, has received a $100 million Series C round jointly led by Tencent Holdings and Sequoia Capital China.
Deal focus: Jingling seeks to stand out from the crowd
China’s Jingling contemplates an expansion of its social e-commerce strategy after securing a $100 million Series C round and de-risking its business model
Tencent joins $300 million round for second-hand trading platform
Tencent Holdings has joined a $300 million Series B round for Zhuanzhuan, a Chinese second-hand goods trading platform controlled by US-listed online classifieds marketplace 58.com.
China ends quotas on QFII, RQFII inbound investment schemes
China’s regulator announced it would abolish its QFII and RQFII investment quotas, giving global investors unrestrained access to the country’s capital markets.
China's Sky9 raises $440m for early-stage, growth funds
Sky9 Capital, a VC firm established by former Lightspeed China executive Ron Cao, has closed its second venture fund at $321 million and also raised $119 million for a growth vehicle.
Boyu leads $300m round for Chinese apartment rental player
Boyu Capital has led a $300 million Series A round of funding in Cjia.com, a serviced apartment brand created by Huazhu Hotels Group and IDG Capital.
Legend leads round for Chinese community group buying business
Legend Capital has led a $100 million investment in Tongcheng Life, a social e-commerce business incubated by Hong Kong-listed online travel agency Tongcheng-Elong.
Alibaba, Yunfeng invest $700m in NetEase Cloud Music
NetEase Cloud Music, one of China's largest music streaming platforms, has secured a $700 million investment from Alibaba Group and Yunfeng Capital, a private equity firm established by Alibaba founder Jack Ma.
Alibaba invests $700m in NetEase Cloud Music
Alibaba has announced on Friday two deals with NetEase. It has acquired NetEase’s e-commerce business Kaola for $2 billion and it has committed a $700 million investment in NetEase’s online music Platform – NetEase Cloud Music.
Tencent invests $120m in Chinese CRM provider
Tencent Holdings has committed $120m in Series E funding to Xiaoshouyi, a Chinese customer relationship management (CRM) software provider that has several VC backers.