Early-stage
Tech in Asia secures $4m funding round
Tech in Asia, a Singapore-based digital media company that focuses on Asian start-ups, has raised a $4 million round led by SB ISAT Fund, a $50 million vehicle backed by Japan's SoftBank and Indonesia's Indosat.
VC in Japan's universities: Getting schooled
For the past decade, Japan’s universities have been working with venture capital to commercialize their research. Recent developments in the public and private sectors suggest this relationship is evolving
US-China incubator raises $5m for second seed fund
InnoSpring, a technology incubator platform focused on US and China-based companies, has raised $5 million for its second fund aimed at seed-stage investments.
Hong Kong's GoGovan gets $10m Series B round
Hong Kong app-enabled logistics start-up GoGoVan has raised $10 million in Series B round of funding. Investors in the round included Hu Zemin, the former CEO of Android app store 91 Wireless, and social media firm RenRen.
Malaysia unveils six equity crowdfunding platforms
The Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) has announced six registered crowd equity platforms that will be allowed to raise capital for small businesses and start-ups.
Hong Kong storage start-up Boxful raises $6.6m
Hong Kong-based "valet storage" start-up Boxful has raised a HK$51.1 million ($6.6 million) Series A round from a consortium including Arocrest Capital, Lonsdale Capital, and several real estate investors.
Indian fashion app Voonik raises $5m from Sequoia, Seedfund
Voonik, a personalized fashion shopping portal based in India, has raised $5 million in Series A funding from Sequoia Capital and existing investor Seedfund.
Morningside leads $15m investment in China's Luqa Pharma
Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical developer Luqa Pharma has raised a $15 million Series A round of funding led by Morningside Ventures.
Japan ministries approve $80m for Osaka University VC fund
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT) have approved a JPY10 billion ($80 million) investment by Osaka University into its recently launched venture capital arm....
Hong Kong's Nest forms accelerator with Nissan
Infiniti, the luxury car unit of Japanese automaker Nissan, has teamed up with Hong Kong-based incubator Nest to launch a platform that will support start-ups developing smart city solutions.
China bus Wi-Fi network raises $11.5 Series A round
Baidu has led a $11.5 million Series A round investment in Qianhai Mobile, a unit of digital outdoor advertising firm Vision China Media, which operates Wi-Fi networks for bus routes.
Wavemaker provides seed funding for Singapore 3D pen developer
CreoPop, a Singapore start-up which has developed a pen that enables objects to be drawn in 3D, has received seed funding from Wavemaker Partners and the Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF).
Taiwan launches $120m Silicon Valley VC fund
Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) have agreed to form $120 million VC fund that will invest in Silicon Valley tech start-ups.
Fund focus: Accel, DJI to expand drone ecosystem
Accel Partners' $75 million investment in Chinese drone maker DJI earlier this month - said to value the company at $8 billion - came with an extra component: the two groups agreed to form a $10 million fund that would back other start-ups in the space....
China VC activity will continue to thrive - AVCJ Forum
Chinese VC deal activity is expected to retain its strong momentum over the next few years, largely due the increasing diversity of exit channels.
YJ Capital, East Ventures back Japan big data start-up
YJ Capital - the corporate venture capital arm of Yahoo Japan - and East Ventures have invested JPY260 million ($2 million) in Use Local, a Japanese big data start-up.
Zodius reaches $110m first close on India VC fund
Indian venture capital firm Zodius Capital has reached a INR7 billion ($110 million) first close on its $500 million technology-focused fund being raised in partnership with Avendus Capital.
India's Edelweiss names Pranav Parikh as head of PE
Indian financial services group Edelweiss has appointed Pranav Parikh to lead its private equity, seed and venture capital funds business.
Ant Financial launches $160m internet finance fund
Ant Financial Service Group, Alibaba Group’s online financials services affiliate, has launched a RMB1 billion ($160 million) fund to invest in internet and finance companies.
IBM, Samurai to launch second Tokyo start-up program
IBM BlueHub - IBM's Japan incubation program - has started taking applications for its second start-up accelerator in partnership with Tokyo-based early-stage investor Samurai Incubate.
Vietnam's FPT launches venture capital arm
Vietnamese tech group FPT Corporation has launched FPT Ventures, its new venture capital and accelerator unit, which will manage a $3 million fund targeting seed and Series A stage investments.
China hardware start-ups: Maker's mark
Best known as the go-to location in China for cheap electronics manufacturing, Shenzhen is now emerging as a Silicon Valley for hardware. Can these start-ups get traction with software-focused VCs?
Rushan leads $16m round for China's EasyStack
Rushan Capital has led a $16 million Series B investment in EasyStack, a Chinese cloud-based software provider. YingDong Investment and existing investor BlueRun Ventures also took part in the round.
JFDI opens applications for next program, doubles investment
Singapore-based accelerator Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI) has started taking applications for its next start-up program - which will be partly offered online - and has doubled the amount it is offering to successful applicants.