Funds
Outbound fund-of-funds: China's white space
Is channeling capital from Chinese high net worth individuals into offshore private equity the next big opportunity for fund-of-funds providers?
Fund focus: Reinventure seeks disruptive fintech
Leveraging its synergies with Westpac, Reinventure Group will invest in start-ups through which the bank can access innovations that complement its business model or integrate technology solutions directly into its systems
Korean online beauty retailer Memebox raises $66m
Memebox, an e-commerce company that sells Korean beauty products, has raised $65.95 million in Series C funding led by Formation Group, an Asia-focused VC firm launched by Formation 8 co-founder Brian Koo.
EVP, Microequities launch $15.4m Australian VC fund
Equity Venture Partners (EVP) and Microequities Asset Management have launched a A$20 million ($15.4 million) venture capital fund to focus on Australian technology start-ups.
Asian investors back $80m global expansion for NextVR
NextVR, a US-based start-up developing live streaming content for virtual reality (VR), has raised an $80 million Series B round, mostly from investors in Asia.
Drones: High-flying tech
The exponential rise in drone technology investment during the past few years is now expected to level off into slower growth as venture capitalists discover a galaxy of more nuanced opportunities
Alibaba leads round for China VC-backed e-commerce site
Alibaba Group has led a RMB267 million ($49 million) Series C round for Shandiangou.com, a Chinese mobile shopping and delivery app backed by several VC investors.
Oak Hill exits India's Vertex to strategic buyer
Oak Hill Capital Partners has reportedly exited its stake in the India branch of business process outsourcing (BPO) company Vertex Data Science to domestic mobile communications company Altruist.
China's Fruitday adds $15m to Series D round
Fruitday, a Chinese VC-backed e-commerce site dedicated to selling imported fruit, has received RMB100 million ($15 million) in an extended Series D round from an investment fund backed by Shanghai-listed developer Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.
China payment machines maker Yunnex raises $45m
Yunnex, a China-based point-of-sale (POS) machine manufacturer, has raised RMB300 million ($45 million) in Series B funding from GSR Ventures and other strategic investors.
Sino-US VCs back US online marketplace GrubMarket
GrubMarket, a US-based online food marketplace, has raised $20 million in a Series B round of funding from several Sino-US investors including GGV Capital, Fosun Capital and Danhua Capital.
Australia's Westpac invests $38m in Reinventure
Australia's Westpac Banking Corp. has committed A$50 million ($38 million) to the second fund of Reinventure Group.
Sequoia leads $7.5m investment in Singapore crowdfunding platform
Sequoia Capital India has led a $7.5 million Series A round for Singapore-based crowdfunding platform Funding Societies.
Fidelity, DBJ lead $20m round for Japan's Raksul
Fidelity Investments and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) have led a JPY2.1 billion ($20.3 million) round of funding for Japanese online printing start-up Raksul.
Australian government launches $191m biomedical VC fund
The Australian government has seeded $250 million ($191 million) from its Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to a biomedical technology-focused venture investment vehicle. It will match private sector commitments, bringing the total available for deployment...
Discovery buys stake in CMC-backed VS Media
US media company Discovery Communications has acquired a minority stake in VS Media Group, a Hong Kong-based multi-channel network (MCN) that counts China’s CMC Holdings among its investors.
SE Asia tech IPOs: Loosening up
The Singapore Exchange has found limited success in attracting regional tech IPOs. Investors say it needs greater flexibility and understanding to grab a piece of the market
China's AMAC clamps down on domestic private funds
The Asset Management Association of China (AMAC) – an industry body set up by the securities regulator – has cancelled the registrations of more than 10,000 domestic private fund firms in the past six months as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal...
HTC VR accelerator adds 8 VC funds, backs 33 companies
Vive X, the accelerator program for virtual reality (VR) start-ups backed by Taiwan-based hardware developer HTC, has added eight VC funds to its backers, and announced the first 33 companies to receive its support.
New Zealand's Powerhouse Ventures files for $15m IPO
New Zealand-based start-up incubator and investor Powerhouse Ventures has filed to raise as much as A$20 million ($15.2 million) through an Australian IPO.
India's Mandala reaches $140m first close on Fund II
Mandala Capital, a South Asia-focused PE firm that invests in the agricultural sector, has reportedly reached a first close of about $140 million on its second fund.
Ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing to acquire Uber China
Didi Chuxing, the leading ride-hailing app operator in China, has announced that it will acquire Uber's local operation, ending a costly battle between the two unprofitable businesses. Both companies have received substantial private equity and strategic...
Apollo, ICICI to form India distressed asset JV
Apollo Global Management and ICICI Bank have agreed to launch a joint venture for investments in distressed assets in India.
Chinese regulator to ban domestic VC firms from investing in A-shares
The Chinese government is considering new policies that could ban VC firms from investing in A-share listed companies, a senior official from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) told an industry conference.