Early-stage
Sodexo Ventures backs China catering platform
Sodexo Ventures, the venture capital arm of French food and facilities management services conglomerate Sodexo, has made its second investment in China, committing an undisclosed amount to technology-enabled catering service Meican.
Japan edge computing specialist gets $7.8m
Global Brain has led a $7.8 million round for Idein, a Japanese technology developer focused on systems for device-level data processing, also known as edge computing.
Tencent re-ups in China B2B trading platform Yijiupi
Tencent Holdings has invested $80 million in Yijiupi, a China-based online B2B trading platform that is looking to continue its expansion from liquor into other consumer goods categories.
Chinese hotel marketing platform receives $42m
Zhiketong – a WeChat-based direct sales and marketing service for high-end hotels – has completed its Series C round, having raised RMB300 million ($42.5 million) across three tranches.
Japanese space robot developer gets Series A round
Gitai, a Japanese start-up that is developing robots that can replace astronauts on low-orbit space missions, has raised $4.1 million in Series A funding.
Vulcan Capital expands into Asia
Vulcan Capital, a US-based venture investor set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has opened a Singapore office and earmarked $100 million for investment in Southeast Asia.
Chinese social e-commerce player raises $20m
Wanwu Xinxuan, a Chinese social e-commerce start-up that specializes in products for infants and children, has raised $20 million in a Series B round of funding led by local consumer sector-focused venture capital firm Fresh Capital.
Chiratae backs Indian robotics developer Miko
Chiratae Ventures has led a $7.5 million Series A round for Miko, an India-based developer of robots for children.
VinaCapital invests in Vietnam logistics tech start-up
The venture capital arm of Vietnam’s VinaCapital has invested an undisclosed sum in local logistics technology start-up An Vui.
Korean biotech player gets $137m Series B
D&D Pharmatech, a South Korean biotechnology company, has raised a $137 million Series B round from a group of Korean and US investors.
CDC leads $21m round for Indian fintech player
UK government-backed development finance institution CDC Group has led a $21 million round for Indifi Technologies, a company that facilitates loans for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) in India.
Hong Kong's CompareAsiaGroup gets $20m
Data and financial services company Experian has led a $20 million investment in Hong Kong-based financial comparison platform CompareAsiaGroup.
Singapore's Carro raises $30m for extended Series B
Singaporean auto marketplace operator Carro has raised $30 million from investors including SoftBank Ventures Asia as part of an extended Series B round.
MassMutual Ventures leads $33m round for Singapore's Aspire
The Southeast Asia arm of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance’s venture capital arm, has led a $32.5 million funding round for Singapore-based online banking platform Aspire.
China equipment rental player gets $167m in equity, debt funding
Zhongneng United, a Chinese construction equipment supplier specializing in aerial work platforms, has raised RMB150 million ($22 million) in equity funding as an extension to its Series B round and secured an additional RMB1 billion in bank financing.
Singapore hotel platform RedDoorz gets $45m Series B
Singapore-based hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz has raised $45 million in a Series B round led by China’s Qiming Venture Partners.
Gates Foundation, global insurers back Indonesia's Halodoc
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has made a rare direct investment in Southeast Asia, participating in an extended Series B round for Indonesian healthcare technology provider Halodoc.
Japan space tech start-up raises $100m
Synspective, a Japan-based satellite developer and orbital data services provider, has raised $100 million in a Series A round with participation from a group including SBI Investment.
Legal tech segment to see consolidation
Rapid growth in the legal tech segment globally will create M&A opportunities as the market consolidates, according to Dan Jansen, CEO of US-based specialist investor Nextlaw Ventures.
Australia establishes wine industry accelerator
South Australia is launching an accelerator program to help start-ups in the wine and tourism industries take advantage of new technologies.
Accel leads $25m round for India's Drip Capital
Drip Capital, an India-based trade finance provider targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets, has raised a $25 million Series B round led by Accel Partners.
Asia legal tech: Order in court
Legal tech investment is quietly booming from a small base, with the under-digitalized nature of law firms presenting both an opening and an inhibitor. First-mover ecosystems are self-organizing quickly
Burda leads $40m Series B for Singapore's Hmlet
Germany’s Hubert Burda Media has led a $40 million Series B round for Singapore-based co-living operator Hmlet.
Deal focus: Igloohome puts smart home tech to work
Igloohome made its name providing smart locks for vacation rental properties listed on Airbnb and Booking.com. Breaking into the corporate security market is the next step