Early-stage
BlackRock leads $150m round in China’s Luckin Coffee
Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee has raised $150 million in an extended Series B round at a valuation of $2.9 billion. It was led by BlackRock, which committed $125 million to the deal.
Gaw Capital backs Chinese restaurant services platform
China-based Candao, which helps restaurants manage their online food delivery businesses, has raised RMB100 million ($14.9 million) in a Series A round led by Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital Partners and Beyond Ventures.
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving Pantera Capital, Third Rock Ventures, Hillhouse Capital, XVC, Angel Plus, SIG, Maxim Capital, Panda Capital, Baidu Ventures, and Matrix Partners China
Chinese new energy vehicle maker Enovate raises $298m
China-based Enovate, which designs and produces new energy-powered vehicles, has raised RMB2 billion ($298 million) in a Series A round.
Legend leads round for Chinese self-driving tech specialist
China and US-based autonomous driving technology developer Black Sesame has completed its Series B round of funding, raising around $100 million led by Junhai Chuangxin, an investment vehicle under Legend Capital.
IDG, CDH back China cancer testing kits producer
IDG Capital Partners and CDH Investments have led an RMB300 million ($45 million) Series B round for China-based Creative Biosciences, a manufacturer of testing kits for colon cancer.
China’s Pony.ai to receive $50m from Beijing Kunlun Tech
China and US-based autonomous driving technology developer Pony.ai will receive $50 million from listed internet company Beijing Kunlun Tech in a deal that values the business at approximately $1.7 billion.
Sequoia China, HighLight back biotech player Cullgen
Sequoia Capital China and HighLight Capital have led a $16 million Series A round for Cullgen, a biotech company that develops treatments for cancer by targeting previously “undruggable” cellular proteins.
INCJ leads $230m round for Japan's JOLED
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a JPY25.5 billion ($230 million) round for domestic display screen manufacturer and technology developer JOLED.
KTB leads round for Chinese EV trading platform
China-based Shenma Chuxing, which provides trading services for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid dealers, has raised $20 million in Series A funding from South Korea’s KTB Ventures and China’s Frees Fund.
Deal focus: Boomplay aspires to become Africa’s Spotify
Boomplay has leveraged demand for its Chinese parent's smart phones to become the leading music streaming platform in Africa. Maison Capital and Yunshi Capital were sufficiently impressed to back a $20 million Series A round
Chinese tea shop operator raises $29m
Lelecha, which operates around 35 milk tea stores across China, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) in a Pre-Series A round of funding led by Vertex Ventures China.
Capital Today leads round for Chinese convenience store chain
China-based convenience store chain operator Linji has raised $30 million in Series B funding led by Capital Today China Group, with participation from existing investor Source Code Capital.
Profile: Openspace Ventures' Hian Goh
Hian Goh knows better than most Southeast Asian VC investors the cultural barriers that discourage the region’s entrepreneurs. With Openspace Ventures he aims to provide start-ups the support they need
Source Code leads round for China machinery rental business
China-based Zhongneng United, which rents out aerial work platforms that provide temporary access to inaccessible areas, has raised $50 million in Series B funding led by Source Code Capital.
Chinese industrial robotics player Emergen raises $30m
Qiming Venture Partners has led a RMB200 million ($30 million) Series B round for Emergen, a Chinese company that designs intelligent operating systems for factories and produces industrial robots.
Intel Capital backs two Chinese AI companies
Intel Capital has invested two Chinese start-ups as part of a $117 million commitment across 14 artificial intelligence (AI) companies globally.
Tencent leads $297m Series B for China fresh food retailer
Yipinshengxian, a China-based fresh food discount supermarket operator, has raised RMB2 billion ($297 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Tencent Holdings.
Korea's Standigm raises $11.5m Series B
Mirae Asset Capital has led a $11.5 million Series B round for Standigm, a Korean drug discovery and development company that uses artificial intelligence (AI).
Deal focus: Guochen looks to the future
Chinese industrial robotics developer and incubator Guochen raises $15 million in Series A funding to continue pushing China's robotics industry to greater heights
China’s Maison leads round for music streaming app Boomplay
Boomplay, a music streaming and download service provider serving African audiences, has raised $20 million in a Series A round led by Maison Capital, with participation from Yunshi Capital.
Indian agtech: Technology harvest
Indian investors are excited about a growing wave of agricultural technology start-ups focused on solving practical problems faced by farmers, but achieving scale with a limited scope will be a challenge
Faering, Sequoia invest $15m in India's Finova
Finova Capital, an Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) targeting rural small businesses, has raised $15 million from Faering Capital and Sequoia Capital India.
Tencent leads $74m round for China crowdfunding platform
Shuidi, the operator of Shuidichou, a Chinese crowdfunding platform for patients with critical medical conditions, has raised RMB500 million ($74 million) in a Series B round of funding led by existing investor Tencent Holdings.
