Early-stage
China’s Club Factory raises $100m Series D
Club Factory, a China-based e-commerce platform focused on India has raised a $100 million Series D round led by Qiming Venture Partners. Existing investors Bertelsmann Asia Investment and Frees Fund re-upped.
Globis, WiL, Japan Post back Series B for AI Medical
AI Medical Service, a Japanese healthcare technology start-up working on what it claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence-enabled endoscopic diagnosis system, has raised JPY4.6 billion ($43 million) in Series B funding.
No easy answers in Philippines’ sluggish VC market – AVCJ Forum
Industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum were hard-pressed to explain a disappointing lag in local venture capital ecosystem development.
US tech regulation: Green card or red card?
Compliance with US regulations on foreign investment in critical technologies is forcing Chinese VC players to examine their fund structure and governance as well as their deployment strategies
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.
Family offices: The IT crowd
Asia's family offices have benefited by going big on growth capital and venture, leveraging technology trends in the region. However, not all family money is smart money
Deal focus: Darwinbox prioritizes Southeast Asia
Human resources software provider Darwinbox is among the Indian business services players leading the charge into Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia's internet economy to be worth $100b in 2019
The gross merchandise value (GMV) of Southeast Asia’s internet economy will surpass $100 billion this year and hit $300 billion by 2025, according to a report by Google, Temasek Holdings, and Bain & Company.
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.
Japanese flying car developer receives $14m
Japanese flying car developer SkyDrive has raised a $14 million funding round from a group including Itochu Technology Ventures and Strive.
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.
Asia fintech: Micro is big
The lowest common denominator is getting lower in financial services as technology reaches deeper into the sector. Investors must keep up to speed on business model evolution
Japan investors back US token player Securitize
Japanese investors are supporting efforts to bring token-based economic infrastructure to Japan with participation in a $14 million round for US-based digital securities technology player Securitize.
Sequoia leads $15m round for India's Darwinbox
Sequoia Capital India has led a $15 million Series B round for Indian human resources (HR) technology platform Darwinbox.
Deal focus: Russell Simmons backs Singapore's Gushcloud
Singapore-based Gushcloud International has teamed up with the founder of Def Jam Recordings to create a digital talent agency that realizes value for social media influencers in Asia and America
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.
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.
Indian fintech player Groww raises $21m
Groww, an Indian financial technology provider focused on mutual fund investment services, has raised a $21.4 million Series B round led by US-based Ribbit Capital.
Korea fintech player Tera Funding gets $18m
Korean financial technology provider Tera Funding has secured an $18 million Series B round from a group including SBI Investment Korea and KB Investment.
VCs invest $11m in Singapore talent agency
Gushcloud International, a digital talent agency based in Singapore, has received $11 million from a group of regional VCs and US hip-hop mogul Russel Simmons (pictured).