Funds
Taiwan’s MediaTek launches $300m corporate VC fund
MediaTek, a leading Taiwanese fabless chipmaker, has launched a $300 million venture fund that will invest in global start-ups.
Shunwei goes local with RMB fund
It is a classic China dilemma: over the past three years, Shunwei Capital Partners has been forced to pass up on a string of a good deals because the companies wanted renminbi-denominated funding and the venture capital firm only had US dollar funds.
China gold rush: Venture in bloom
Flipping through the pages of a men's magazine in an airport lounge, I can't help but notice that double-breasted suits being hailed as one of the next big trends in menswear. Yes, the Gordon Gekko look, with some updates, is back. And like the fashion...
Alibaba to launch $316m non-profit fund for Taiwan start-ups
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has earmarked NT$100 billion ($316 million) for a not-for-profit fund that will be used to boost entrepreneurship among young people in Taiwan.
Lightspeed invests $12m in China car after-sales platform
Lightspeed China Partners has committed $12 million to Yikuaixiu.com, a Beijing-based automotive after-sales service platform, in a Series A round of funding.
Leadyond in partial exit from China’s NSFocus Information
Leadyond Capital has partially exited its stake in NSFocus Information Technology, a Chinese network security services specialist, via a public market trade for RMB140.5 million ($22 million).
China’s N5 Capital launches $200m debut VC fund
N5 Capital, a Beijing-based venture capital firm, has launched its debut US dollar-denominated fund.
Chinese playground operator Yuyuto raises $32m
Shanghai Yuyuto Entertainment Facilities, a Chinese company that operates children’s entertainment and retail facilities in shopping malls, has secured RMB200 million ($32 million) in a new round of funding from Fortune Venture Capital, Shenzhen Cowin...
LACERA invests $75m in GGV’s top-up fund
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) has committed up to $75 million to a new fund launched by Sino-US venture capital firm GGV Capital.
China’s Galaxy Game Entertainment raises $16m
Shanghai Galaxy Game Entertainment, a Chinese mobile games developer, has raised RMB100 million ($16 million) in a Series A round of funding from Shenzhen Oriental Fortune, Shenzhen Green Pine Capital and Shanghai Cultural Industry Fund.
Sequoia leads $4.5m round for Indian interior design start-up HomeLane
Sequoia Capital has led a $4.5 million Series A round of funding for HomeLane, a Bangalore-based interior design company, with participation from Aarin Capital.
Bain launches $79m bid for Japanese mushroom producer
Bain Capital has launched a takeover bid for Tokyo-listed Yukiguni Maitake, a troubled Japanese mushroom producer, for as much JPY9.5 billion ($79.1 million).
Singapore space junk start-up raises $7.7m Series A
Astronscale, a Singapore-based start-up that develops satellites to remove space debris, has raised $7.7 million in a Series A round of funding from JAFCO and nine entrepreneurs from Japan.
SAIF, Accion invest in India’s Aye Finance
SAIF Partners and Accion - a global non-profit organization - have invested $1 million in Aye Finance, an India-based lender that serves profitable micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Indian P2P rental property listings site NoBroker raises $3m
SAIF Partners and Fulcrum Ventures have taken part in a $3 million Series A round of funding for NoBroker, a Bangalore-based peer-to-peer (P2P) property listings site for renting homes.
TPG, Northstar make another part exit from Indonesia's BTPN
TPG Capital and Northstar Pacific Partners have made another partial exit from Indonesian lender Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional (BTPN), selling a 17.5% stake to Japan's Sumitomo Corp. for IDR5.93 trillion ($461.8 million)
Chinese K12 education site 17zuoye raises $100m
H Capital has led a $100 million Series D round of funding for 17zuoye.com, a Chinese K-12 online learning and teaching platform. Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, DST Advisors and Shunwei Capital Partners, also took part in the round.
Shunwei closes first RMB fund at $160m
Shunwei Capital Partners, a Chinese VC firm set up by Lei Jun, a founder of mobile phone maker Xiaomi, has closed its first renminbi-denominated fund at RMB1 billion ($160 million).
US accelerator 500 Startups launches $10m Thai fund
Silicon Valley-based accelerator and early stage investor 500 Startups is understood to be launching a new $10 million micro-fund for Thailand.
China manicure service app raises $50m Series C from VCs
Helijia, a Chinese mobile app for booking manicure appointments, has raised a $50 million Series C round of funding from several venture capital investors, valuing the start-up at approximately $300 million.
Australia mid-market: Squeezed middle
Several Australian superannuation funds are eschewing commitments to smaller domestic GPs because they have to deploy a larger quantum of capital. If more follow suit, what does it mean for the middle market?
Australia VC: Policy permutations
Plans to reinstate tax breaks for Australian start-ups that issue share options to staff rather than pay sizeable salaries has cheered VC investors. They are generally positive about the government role in fostering innovation
China’s $40b Silk Road infrastructure fund goes to work
China has started operating its $40 billion Silk Road infrastructure fund targeting businesses in neighboring countries and regions.
Israeli Rainbow Medical raises $25m from Chinese investors
Rainbow Medical, an Israeli medical investment firm, has raised $25 million from a group of Chinese investors including Ping An Insurance and telecom giant ZTE Corporation,financial company Yongjin Group and undisclosed Chinese venture capital funds.