Early-stage
US-Philippines blockchain player gets $16m Series B
A group of Asian and North American venture investors have backed a $16 million Series B round for Abra, a US financial technology company test marketing blockchain-based services in the Philippines.
Intel Capital announces China, Japan investments
Intel Capital, the captive VC arm of Intel Corp, has invested in technology start-ups from China and Japan as part of a $60 million overall investment in 15 companies worldwide.
Sinovation leads $40m Series B for China's Hua Juan
Sinovation Ventures has led a $40 million Series B round for Chinese e-commerce and online video platform Hua Juan.
Legend, Joy Capital lead $60m for China's Vingoo Juice
Vingoo Juice, a Shanghai-based start-up that develops fresh orange juice vending machines, has raised a RMB400 million ($60 million) Series B round jointly led by Legend Capital and Joy Capital. Yunqi Capital also took part.
Alibaba, Beyond lead $40m round for Hong Kong's Prenetics
Beyond Ventures and Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group have led a $40 million funding round for Hong Kong-based genetic testing and wellness start-up Prenetics.
Southeast Asia VC: Growth impediment?
Southeast Asia has an abundance of local players targeting early-stage deals while foreign investors fly in to participate in the later stage rounds. The industry is looking for ways to fill the hole in the middle
Cathay, GGV back China’s Momenta
Cathay Innovation, a VC affiliate of Cathay Capital Private Equity, has led an extended Series B round for Momenta, a Chinese start-up that develops road sensors and mapping software for self-driving cars, with participation from GGV Capital.
Square Peg leads $13m round for Singapore's Chope
Australia’s Square Peg Capital has led a S$18 million ($13.3 million) funding round for Singapore-based restaurant app operator Chope.
Amicus invests $9.3m in India's RenewBuy
Amicus Capital Partners has made its maiden investment, committing INR600 million ($9.3 million) to Indian online insurance aggregator RenewBuy.
Hong Kong AI fintech start-up MioTech gets $7m Series A
Horizons Ventures, a private investment arm of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, has led a $7 million Series A round of funding for MioTech, a Hong Kong-based start-up that develops artificial intelligence (AI) software for the financial services sector.
China electronics recycling platform raises $46m
Huishoubao, a Chinese online recycling platform for electronic devices, has raised a RMB300 million ($46 million) Series B round led by Asia-focused private equity firm Strait Capital Investment Group.
Australia's Airtasker receives $25.7m Series C
Airtasker, an Australian peer-to-peer jobs and services marketplace operator, has raised a A$33 million ($25.7 million) funding round led by Skyfield Capital.
Gobi leads $14.5m round for Southeast Asia’s Deliveree
Deliveree, a Southeast Asia-focused last-mile logistics marketplace, has raised a $14.5 million Series A round of funding led by Gobi Partners.
India car-sharing platform Drivezy gets $10m round
Indian car, motorcycle and bicycle rental company Drivezy has received a $10 million funding round from a group of investors including Das Capital, Axan Ventures, CrowdWorks and IT-Farm.
Epsilon, IL&FS lead $8m round for India’s Farm Taaza
Epsilon Venture Partners and IL&FS Investment Managers (IIML) have led an $8 million Series A round for Indian agricultural logistics player Farm Taaza Produce.
VCs in $6.5m round for Japan’s LaFabric
Globis Capital Partners has joined a group of venture capital firms in a JPY740 million ($6.5 million) funding round for Lifestyle Design, the Japanese operator of men’s custom-made fashion marketplace LaFabric.
VCs commit $6.6m to Japan's Skydisc
Skydisc, a Japan-based company that provides hardware for internet-of-things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, has raised JPY740 million ($6.6 million) from a group of VC firms, including existing backers Nissay Capital and Archetype...
Deal focus: JingChi gases up with Qiming investment
Technology developer JingChi is planning to leverage a new commitment from Qiming Venture Partners to take the lead in China's competitive autonomous driving space
Singapore's AdAsia closes Series A at $14.5m
Singapore-based advertising technology company AdAsia Holdings has closed its Series A funding round at $14.5 million after receiving a $2.5 million investment from angel investor Hisanori Watanabe and Japanese news app provider Gunosy.
Five V Capital invests $8m in Australia's RateSetter
Five V Capital, a private equity firm headed by CVC Capital Partners’ former Australasia lead Adrian MacKenzie, has led a A$10.5 million ($8.2 million) funding round for Sydney-based financial services provider RateSetter.
Deal focus: XW wins backing for better drugs
XW Laboratories identifies approved drugs with deficiencies and produces new versions that work better. The Chinese company has received $17.5 million in Series B funding to build out its pipeline
Qiming leads $52m round for China’s JingChi
Qiming Venture Partners has led a $54 million pre-Series A round for JingChi, a Chinese self-driving technology company, with participation from US-based strategic investor Nvidia GPU Ventures.
VCs invest $3.4m in Japan's Oneteam
Oneteam, a Japanese workplace chat app provider, has received a JPY380 million ($3.4 million) funding round from a group of venture investors, including existing backer Nissay Capital.
Australia agtech: Tending the seedlings
Agricultural technology investment in Australia is growing rapidly from a low base. Sustaining this momentum requires international capital channels and attention to local differentiators