Early-stage
Unitus joins Series B for India's Leaf
US-based venture capital fund Unitus Impact has joined a Series B round for Indian produce logistics firm Lawrencedale Agro Processing, operator of the fruit and vegetable brand Leaf.
Sino-US shopping app Operator raises $15m Series B
Operator, a US-based conversational shopping app, has closed a $15 million Series B round led by GGV Capital, which is intended to help accelerate its expansion in China.
Northern Light leads Series B for China's TenNor Therapeutics
Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) has led a $25 million Series B funding round for TenNor Therapeutics, a Chinese drug developer specializing in infectious diseases.
Linear Venture closes $70m China early-stage VC fund
Linear Venture, a Chinese early-stage VC firm founded by former Facebook and JD.com employees, has closed its second fund – which comprises US dollar and renminbi-denominated tranches – with approximately $70 million in aggregate commitments.
Qiming backs China rehabilitation services provider
Qiming Venture Partners has invested an undisclosed sum in LIH Investment & Management, a Beijing-based healthcare company that specializes in providing rehabilitation services.
MLS, 1955 Capital back US agrochemicals specialist
Crop Enhancement, a US-based company that develops sustainable agrochemicals, has received an $8.5 million Series B round led by the Asia and Americas-focused MLS Capital Fund II and 1955 Capital, a cross-border PE firm set by former Khosla Ventures partner...
Blackbird, Felicis invest $15m in Australia's Canva
Canva, an Australian online design platform, has raised a $15 million round of funding led by existing investors Felicis Ventures and Blackbird Ventures.
Taiwan regulation: Forward views, sideways moves
The Taiwan government is attempting to reconcile its conservative tendencies with a need for innovation as the local venture capital industry marks mixed progress in filling an early-stage vacuum
Deal focus: HaloDoc targets healthcare access
A spin-out from domestic pharmaceutical players Mensa Group, Indonesian healthcare services app HaloDoc wants to make medication and doctor consultations more accessible to the masses
VC value-add: Operational gambit
As competition for VC deals intensifies in Asia and capital becomes commoditized, GPs are stressing their value-add credentials. Should we believe the hype?
China used car platform Guazi finalizes $250m Series A round
Guazi.com, a China-based consumer-to-consumer (C2C) used car trading platform, has completed its $250 million Series A round of funding, which includes $204.5 million the company raised six months ago.
Hera, DSG invest $4m in Singapore's SaladStop
Hera Capital and DSG Consumer Partners have committed S$5 million ($3.7 million) for a minority stake in Singapore-based restaurant chain SaladStop.
Australia VC: Interesting times
AirTree Ventures' successful fundraise underlines the growth interest in Australian venture capital, but the superannuation funds have yet to prove themselves to be a consistent source of capital
China's Sinovation Ventures raises $674m across two funds
Chinese early-stage VC firm Sinovation Ventures, formerly Innovation Works, has closed its third US dollar-denominated fund and second renminbi fund, with more than $674 million in aggregate commitments.
Australian marketing platform raises $7.5m for US expansion
Simple, an online marketing platform based in Australia, has raised A$10 million ($7.5 million) to support its expansion in the US.
Indonesia healthcare services app gets $11m Series A
Clermont Group, a Singapore-based private investment firm led by billionaire Richard Chandler, has led a Series A round worth $11 million for Indonesian healthcare services app HaloDoc.
Indian government commits $75m to domestic start-ups
The Indian government has made a fresh INR5 billion ($75 million) commitment to its Startup India campaign, which aims to drive bank financing for early-stage companies while offering workshop and incubator services.
Deal focus: HappyFresh prepares shopping list
Buyoed by a Series B round, Southeast Asian online grocery delivery business HappyFresh is refocusing on core markets with a view to deepening its sourcing relationships with major supermarkets
Wanderlust: PE taps into China's tourism boom
Ocean Link is China’s first private equity firm dedicated to investing in the travel and tourism industry. Can it successfully leverage an increasingly wealthy, free-spending and far-traveling domestic user base?
Sequoia, Venturra, SIG lead $8m Series A for Thailand's Zilingo
Sequoia Capital India, Venturra Capital and Susquehanna International Group (SIG) have led an $8 million Series A round for Thailand-based online fashion retailer Zilingo.
Deal focus: Ambit backs digital media transformations
Prime Focus Technology develops systems that ease the burden on media providers struggling with the demands of a digital age. New investor Ambit Pragma will help the company expand its reach
Singapore's Venturecraft launches $37m tech fund
Venturecraft, a Singapore-based VC investor and accelerator, has launched a new S$50 million ($37 million) investment fund aimed at early and growth stage medical technology (medtech) and internet start-ups in Asia.
China's State Council proposes better deal for foreign VC firms
Foreign venture capital investors will receive equal treatment to their domestic counterparts as part of efforts to boost funding for start-ups, according to the Chinese government.
China overseas car rental platform raises $22m
Yitu8.net, an overseas car rental platform for Chinese outbound travelers, has raised a RMB150 million ($22 million) Series B round led by Sanhua Holdings, a Chinese refrigeration and air-conditioning components manufacturer.