Funds
Corstone closes $124m Korea fund
US-based private equity firm Corstone Capital has closed a South Korea-focused fund at KRW150 billion ($124 million).
OCBC’s PE unit exits China-based Tsingda eEdu
Mezzanine Capital Unit (MCU), a PE investment unit under Singapore’s OCBC Bank, has sold its stake in China education service provider Tsingda eEdu, generating nearly 3x return on a $20 million investment made in August 2014.
China's Adagene raises $28m
Adagene, a China-based life sciences company focused on smart antibody technology, has raised a $28 million Series B round led by GP Healthcare Capital, the medical-focused subsidiary of China's GP Capital.
Everbright ReinFore invests in China’s Huasheng Finance
Everbright ReinFore, a private equity arm under China Everbright Group, has led a Series B round of funding for Huasheng Finance, a Chinese online lending platform.
Rakuten launches $84m Japan venture fund
Rakuten Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has launched a JPY10 billion ($84 million) fund targeting start-ups in Japan.
Shanghai to compensate VCs for financial losses
The Shanghai government has proposed new measures to compensate early-stage investors’ for financial losses incurred by investing in local start-ups.
Jungle Ventures adds to management team
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures, which is currently raising its second fund, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new CFO, director of corporate development, and head of finance.
Singapore's Eyeota raises $7m Series A round
Global Brain, Infinity e.Ventures and Project A Ventures have committed $7 million in Series A funding to Singapore-based adtech company Eyeota.
Nissay commits $1.7m to Japan's Oneteam
Nissay Capital has invested $1.7 million in Series A funding in Japanese workplace chat app Oneteam.
Deal focus: Fintech start-up WeLab seeks scale
With $160 million in Series B funding, Hong Kong-based WeLab wants to upgrade its people and technology in order to build a China online lending platform of real scale
Deal focus: Investors see value in China auto disrepair
China Pacific Insurance leads a Series B round for Bochewang, a car-trading platform that transfers damaged vehicles from insurers to rebuilders
Late starter: Hong Kong boosts innovation support
Hong Kong is following in Singapore’s footsteps with the announcement of meaningful support for technology start-ups. Why is the government moving on the issue now, and what difference can it make?
Nature vs nurture: Training PE professionals
With private equity’s traditional training tools coming under increased scrutiny, some are calling for standardized qualifications - before outside forces take matters out of the industry’s hands.
China venture: After the boom
Venture capital investors are set for a less frenetic year in China, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing for early-stage players
Yunfeng leads round for China reviews site
Yunfeng Capital has led an extended Series A round of funding for Du Yao, a China-based book and movie reviews platform.
Indonesia's Kejora adds partner, targets $100m fund
Indonesian venture capital firm Kejora Group has hired Eri Reksoprodjo, formerly of Saratoga Capital, as a partner as it looks to raise up to $100 million for its first institutional fund.
China cloud storage firm Qiniu raises $100m
Qiniu, a Chinese cloud storage service provider, has received a $100 million Series D round from China Broadband Capital (CBC), Telstra Ventures and Chinese mutual fund provider Harvest Global Investments.
Olympus, CX Partners lead $60m round for India's Nspira
Olympus Capital Asia Credit and CX Partners' India mezzanine fund have led a INR4 billion ($59 million) round for Indian management service provider Nspira.
KTB, Jolly Innovation lead $30m round for China's CARsgen
KTB Ventures and Jolly Innovation Ventures have led a $30 million Series B round for Shanghai-based cancer therapy developer CARsgen Therapeutics.
Qiming closes fifth China VC fund at $648m – update
Qiming Venture Partners has announced that it has closed its fifth US dollar-denominated China VC fund at $648 million.
CPIC leads $30m round for China restored car auction platform
China Pacific Insurance Corporation (CPIC) has led a RMB200 million ($30 million) Series B round for Bochewang.com, a Chinese online auction platform for restored cars.
Jungle, Blume in $7.2m round for India's SnapBizz
Jungle Ventures, Blume Ventures, Konly Venture and Taurus Value Creation have led a $7.2 million round for India-based retail technology developer SnapBizz.
IVP leads $30m Series C for India, US-based Qubole
Qubole, a big data firm based in India and the US, has raised a $30 million Series C round led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
Apis invests in India's EPS
Apis Partners has invested $25 million in Indian payments service provider Electronic Payments and Services (EPS).