Funds
Wanda Cinemas buys stake in VC-backed online ticketing site
China’s largest cinema operator Wanda Cinemas has acquired a 20% stake in Mtime Holdings, a Chinese online movie ticketing platform backed by several VC investors.
China second-hand car trading platform Chemao raises $188m
Chemao.com, a Chinese second-hand car trading platform, has raised RMB1.2 billion ($188 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Shenzhen-listed hydropower equipment maker Zhefu Holding Group.
Riverside's NZ animal health business completes bolt-on
Simcro, a New Zealand-based animal drug delivery firm controlled by the Riverside Company, has completed two bolt-on acquisitions.
Korean start-ups: Pursuing critical mass
A handful of Korean start-ups have achieved valuations in excess of $1 billion as investors look to leverage a mobile-centric consumer base. But how many unicorns can this market accommodate?
Aspada, Qualcomm back India's Reverie with $4m
Aspada Investment Company and Qualcomm Ventures have committed $4 million in Series A funding to India-based local language software platform Reverie Language Technologies.
Q&A: Formation 8's Brian Koo
As Formation 8 prepares to launch an Asia fund, Brian Koo, co-founder of the venture capital firm, explains why the strategy has evolved from rolling out US technologies in Asia to backing local start-ups
Qiming leads Series B for China goods delivery app
Qiming Venture Partners has led a Series B round of funding for Linjia.me, a Chinese mobile app that offers last mile delivery services.
Tsinghua Holdings, Shengjing launch overseas VC fund-of-funds
Shengjing Group, a Chinese investment advisor, has partnered with Tsinghua Holdings to launch a $300 million fund-of-funds to invest in venture capital overseas.
VC-backed Komli to sell India business to SVG
VC-backed digital media firm Komli Media has agreed to merge its India business with that of industry peer SVG Media. This follows the sale of Komli’s Southeast Asia unit to Malaysia-based Axiata Group.
Gobi leads $5.7m Series A for Thailand's Eko
Gobi Partners has led a $5.7 million Series A round of funding for Bangkok-based Eko Communications, developer of workplace messaging app Eko.
India's StartupXSeed launches $4.5m venture fund
Indian seed-stage venture investment firm StartupXSeed has launched a VC fund, with an initial corpus of INR300 million ($4.5 million), to invest in Indian technology start-ups.
Global Brain backs Japan 3D printing start-up
Global Brain has committed JPY400 million ($3.3 million) to Japan-based Kabuku, which runs the 3D printing service Rinkak.
OCBC closes debut SME-focused PE fund at $392m
Singapore's OCBC Bank has closed its debut small and medium-sized enterprise-focused fund at S$550 million ($392 million).
Vogo buys Korean lifestyle product maker Bodyfriend
Vogo Investment has acquired a controlling stake in Bodyfriend, South Korea's largest maker of massage chairs and other lifestyle products, in a management buyout.
Nominations open for the 15th AVCJ Awards
Following a significant change in format last year, the 2015 - and 15th - AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Capital Awards features just one new prize. The venture capital deal of the year category has been split in two: early stage technology and late stage...
Deal focus: RedMart channels the Amazon spirit
Amazon.com is the world’s largest online retailer, but it retains fleetness of foot that defies its size. This is based on the ability to embrace not only new technology but also innovative approaches to management. The “two-pizza rule” devised by founder...
Loan or own? Chinese strategics offer debt to start-ups
As Chinese start-ups raise larger, later-stage rounds, strategic investors are looking to participate through structured debt products rather than through equity. This approach presents its own risks
China drone start-up EHang gets $42m Series B round
GP Capital, a China-focused PE fund backed by Shanghai International Group, has led a $42 million Series B round of funding for EHang, a Chinese commercial drone manufacturer.
Japan's Freee raises $30m Series C round
DCM, Recruit Holdings and Japan Co-Invest have committed $30 million in Series C funding to Freee, a Japan-based provider of automated online accounting software.
Philippines targets 500 domestic tech start-ups by 2020
The Philippines government has outlined plans to achieve 500 domestic technology start-ups with a combined valuation of $2 billion by 2020.
Taiwan plans $609m M&A fund
Taiwan's National Development Council (NDC) will launch a NT$20 billion ($609 million) fund to assist domestic companies with mergers and acquisitions.
China online campus convenience store secures $31m
Shenzhen Capital Group has led a RMB200 million ($31 million) pre-Series B round of funding for 59store.com, a Chinese online convenience store focused on serving students.
Chinese second-hand car platform Youche raises $18m
Youche.com, a Chinese online trading platform for second-hand cars, has raised an $18.2 million Series B round led by Galaxy Capital, followed by IDG Capital Partners, ZhenFund and China Growth Capital.
Standard Chartered, CFF lead $207m round for China's Dianrong
A consortium co-led by Standard Chartered Bank and China Fintech Fund (CFF) has invested $207 million in a Series C round of funding for Dianrong.com, a Chinese VC-backed peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending service platform.