Early-stage
Reliance PE arm commits $12m to India real estate start-up
Square Yards, an online listings service dedicated to the property sector, has received $12 million in funding from the private equity arm of Reliance Group.
Japan's Monstar Lab gets $2.4m round
Monstar Lab, a Japan-based company specializing in global outsourcing services for IT companies, has raised JPY250 million ($2.4 million) from investors including Resona Capital.
China online learning site Smartstudy raises $29m
Smartstudy.com, a Chinese online learning site, has raised a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round of funding led by Hong Kong-based private equity firm Golden Brick Capital.
China bike-sharing start-up Ubike raises $22m
Ubike, a Chinese bike-sharing start-up, has raised a RMB150 million ($22 million) Series A round of funding led by Yicun Capital, a corporate PE arm of Shenzhen-listed chemical fiber manufacturer Jiangsu Huaxicun.
IDG, Accel invest $3m in India's Bizongo
IDG Ventures has led a $3 million Series A round for Indian business-to-business packaging marketplace Bizongo, with participation by existing investor Accel Partners.
Alibaba, Legend invest $20m in China seafood importer Gfresh
Gfresh, a China-based seafood importer and online marketplace operator, has raised $20 million from Riverhill Fund, an investment arm of Alibaba Group, and Legend Capital.
Southeast Asia dating app raises $32.5m round
Paktor, a Southeast Asia-focused mobile dating app, has received $32.5 million in new funding led by K2 Global – a venture capital firm that makes late-stage tech investments in Asia and the US – and Indonesia-based MNC Media Group.
Blockchain: Ethereal frontiers
As blockchain segments mature in Asia, private equity and venture capital investors will benefit from a range of new entry points. Pitfalls related to the technology’s obscure nature, however, will persist
IDG, Promethus invest $30m in China's KR Space
IDG Capital Partners and Prometheus Capital have invested RMB200 million ($30 million) in an extended Series A round of funding for KR Space, a provider of collaborative workspaces for Chinese start-ups
Jungle leads $11m Series A for Thailand's Pomelo
Jungle Ventures has led an $11 million Series A round of funding for Thailand-based online fashion retailer Pomelo.
China smart home device maker Orvibo raises $16m
Orvibo, a Shenzhen-based smart home device maker, has secured a RMB110 million ($16 million) Series B round of funding led by A-share listed electronics manufacturer Topband.
India's Ather Energy raises $31m for electric motorcycles
Indian motorcycle giant Hero MotoCorp will invest about INR2 billion ($31 million) in domestic VC-backed electric vehicle (EV) start-up Ather Energy.
Sequoia leads $6m round for India's KredX
Sequoia Capital India has led a $6.3 million Series A round for Indian online financing marketplace KredX.
Partners For Growth commits $15m to Yello Mobile's marketing unit
Yello Digital Marketing (YDM), the digital marketing unit of South Korean mobile internet company Yello Mobile, has received $15 million in funding from Partners For Growth (PFG), the PE arm of SVB Financial Group.
BlueRun closes $500m China early-stage VC fund
BlueRun Ventures has closed its latest China-focused fund - comprising US dollar and renminbi-denominated tranches - with more than $500 million in aggregate commitments.
Deal focus: Eywa brings experienced edge to generics
Eight Roads Ventures India sees considerable strengths in Eywa to tackle the lucrative US generic pharmaceuticals market
IDG, Walden lead $65m round for US-China AI start-up
IDG Capital Partners and Walden International have led a $65 million Series B funding round for US and China-based artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company Rokid.
JD Finance leads $30m round for China's Microseer
JD Finance, the financial subsidiary of Chinese online retailer JD.com, has led a $30 million Series B round for Microseer, a Shanghai-based human resources and IT outsourcing services start-up.
Intel Capital announces two China investments
Intel Capital, the captive VC arm of Intel Corp, is backing two Chinese data and connectivity start-ups as part of a $38 million investment package across 12 companies.
Mayfield, IIFL invest $7.5m in India's Box8
US early-stage investor Mayfield and IIFL Wealth Management have invested INR500 million ($7.5 million) of Series B funding in Indian quick service restaurant (QSR) chain and food delivery start-up Box8.
New Horizon leads $37m Series B in China AR toy maker
Neobear, a China-based company that develops interactive learning tools for children, has raised a RMB250 million ($37 million) Series B round of funding led by Chinese GP New Horizon Capital.
US fintech raises $5m for Philippines, Southeast Asia push
Quona Capital has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for US-based financial technology start-up Coins. It will support an expansion in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on the Philippines.
Chinese part-time jobs platform gets $40m Series C round
Doumi, a China-based platform that helps people find part-time jobs, has raised $40 million in Series B funding from Hillhouse Capital, Tencent Holdings, Baidu, and food and agribusiness conglomerate New Hope Group.
Chinese investors in $30m round for US genetic testing firm
Trustbridge Partners has led a $30 million Series B round for US-based genetic testing company Veritas Genetics.