Early-stage
Indonesia VC: Corporate kingpins
The corporates and family groups that dominate Indonesia’s economy are becoming increasingly active in the VC space. To independent GPs, they are more friend than foe, but agendas and approaches vary
VC-backed real estate start-up gets $11.7m from Mitsui
Mitsui & Co has agreed to invest JPY1.3 billion ($11.7 million) in Renoveru, a VC-backed start-up focused on online services in Japan’s home renovations market.
Jafco invests $12m in Singapore adtech firm AdAsia
Jafco Asia has invested $12 million in a Series A funding round for Singapore-based advertising technology company AdAsia Holdings.
Mahindra leads $21m round for India's Medwell
Mahindra Partners has led a $21 million Series B round for Indian home healthcare start-up Medwell Ventures, operator of Nightingales Home Health Services.
Deal focus: Freightos looks to take shipping digital
GE Ventures leads a $25 million round for Freightos, giving the Hong Kong-based logistics software specialist dry powder to build out its price information marketplace for freight forwarders
Redpoint, Sinovation lead round for China online TCM player
Redpoint Ventures and Sinovation Ventures have led a Series B round worth RMB100 million ($14 million) for Xiaolu Clinic, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) online services provider.
GE Ventures backs Hong Kong digital logistics business
GE Ventures, the VC arm of General Electric, has led a $25 million extended Series B round of funding for Freightos, a Hong Kong-based logistics technology company. It brings total funding for the business to $50 million.
Morningside closes debut renminbi VC fund at $143m
Morningside Venture Capital, a China-focused early-stage VC firm that used to manage only US dollar-denominated funds, has closed its first renminbi vehicle at RMB1 billion ($143 million).
India's Intex launches VC fund, backs local mobile player
Indian electronics manufacturer Intex Technologies has launched a technology-focused venture capital fund and made its first investment in online media platform Rooter.
China edtech: Tangible teachings
Educational hardware remains an emerging investment segment globally. In China, cultural shifts are piquing expectations for a local boom, but success will depend on various cross-market diversifications
Korea to invest $102m in life science start-ups
The South Korean government has pledged to establish a KRW113.5 billion ($102 million) fund to support life science start-ups through related ecosystem and infrastructure investments.
China Growth Capital leads $14m round for Tiger Brokers
China Growth Capital has led an extended Series B round worth RMB100 million ($14 million) for Tiger Brokers, a Beijing-based online brokerage start-up, with participation from existing investor ZhenFund.
VCs invest $33m in Japan's Dely
Jafco, YJ Capital, and Gumi Ventures have taken part in a JPY3.7 billion ($33 million) funding round for Japanese online food media start-up Dely.
Singapore auto marketplace Carro gets $12m
A group of Southeast Asian VCs have committed $12 million to Singaporean automobile marketplace Carro as part of an operational expansion into artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled car financing services.
China video communication player Xiaoyu Link gets $18m
Xiaoyu Link, a Chinese video communication services provider, has raised a RMB125 million ($18 million) Series B round of funding jointly led by ZhenFund and Zhen Cheng Fund.
China real estate financial services player Dadao raises $29m
Shenzhen Qianhai Dadao Financial Services, a Chinese start-up that specializes in residential property financial services, has raised a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round led by Huaxing Capital Partners, the private equity arm of China Renaissance.
Sequoia, Fosun Kinzon invest $15m in India travel site Ixigo
Sequoia Capital has led a $15 million Series B round for Indian online travel marketplace Ixigo, with participation by Fosun Kinzon Capital, the investment arm of Chinese conglomerate Fosun International.
China’s state-backed SME fund leads round for Tianyancha
China’s National Small & Medium Enterprises Development Fund has led a RMB130 million ($18 million) Series A round for Tianyancha, a Beijing-based business data search firm.
Japan's Moneytree raises $9m Series B
Japan-based SBI investment has led a JPY1 billion ($9 million) Series B funding round for domestic financial technology services company Moneytree.
CMC, HG Capital lead $26m round for China’s Newrank
China-focused GPs CMC Capital Partners and HG Capital have jointly led a RMB180 million ($26 million) Series B round of funding for Newrank, a Shanghai-based media platform.
SDIC Fund leads $40m Series B for Chinese drug developer
Suzhou Ribo Life Science, a Chinese drug developer that focuses on liver diseases, has raised a RMB270 million ($40 million) Series B round led by SDIC Fund Management.
Thailand's Bangkok Bank launches fintech accelerator
Bangkok Bank has launched a start-up accelerator to support financial technology development in Thailand. Hong Kong venture investor Nest will co-manage the program.
Chinese logistics robot developer Geek+ secures $14m
Chinese logistics and warehousing robotics developer Geek+ has raised a RMB100 million ($14 million) round of funding led by Vertex Ventures China.
500 Startups opens Australia office
US-based early-stage investor 500 Startups has agreed to establish its Australian headquarters in Melbourne after receiving financial support from the state government of Victoria.