Venture
Asia fundraising: Be prepared
LPs are becoming more flexible in their due diligence, in certain cases backing managers where there has been no face-to-face interaction, but COVID-19 has underlined the importance of pre-fundraise engagement
Japan's Drone Fund secures anchor LPs for third vintage
Japan’s Drone Fund has reached a first close of undisclosed size on its third VC fund, with SMBC Nikko Securities and NTT Docomo coming in as anchor LPs. The target is JPY10 billion ($95 million).
Japan's aStart launches second dedicated space tech fund
Japanese VC investor aStart has raised JPY3.8 billion ($36 million) for its second fund dedicated to space tech. The vehicle remains open.
China's Gaorong closes Fund V at $1.1b
Gaorong Capital has closed its fifth US dollar-denominated fund with commitments of $1.15 billion. It brings the Chinese venture capital firm's assets under management to about $4 billion.
Indonesia's AC Ventures hits first close on debut fund
AC Ventures, a recent merger of Indonesia’s Agaeti Ventures and Convergence Ventures, has reached a first close of $56 million for its debut fund as a combined group. The target is $80 million.
Fund focus: BA Capital backs youth
ByteDance spinout BA Capital has raised $147 million for its second renminbi-denominated fund and is also raising a US dollar vehicle. Backing consumer brands that resonate with young people underpins the investment thesis
Fund focus: CCV raises $300m for China fund
China Creation Ventures secures $300 million for Fund II, having found that some LPs are holding back on China commitments while others are even more willing to engage
SBI, Sygnum launch digital assets fund
SBI Ven Capital, an investment arm of Japan's SBI Group, has teamed up with digital asset bank Sygnum Group and launched an early-stage fund investing in digital assets across Southeast Asia and Europe.
SAIF launches fourth India VC fund
SAIF Partners India has launched its fourth VC fund with a target of $400 million.
GP profile: Redpoint China Ventures
Redpoint China Ventures spun out from its US parent in 2016, but the knowledge it retained – and the communication that remains – has been key to moving early on enterprise technology
Linear raises $200m for China VC fund
Chinese venture capital firm Linear Capital has closed its fourth US dollar-denominated fund at nearly $200 million, taking its overall assets under management to $400 million.
China's M31 Capital closes debut fund at $450m
Chinese Venture Capital firm M31 Capital has raised $450 million for its debut US dollar-denominated fund, beating a target of $400 million.
HarbourVest backs IDG renminbi fund restructuring
IDG Capital has completed a renminbi fund restructuring in which assets have been transferred from one local currency vehicle to another backed by offshore investors. It is the first secondary deal of its kind to use the Qualified Foreign Limited Partner...
Gaorong seeks $1b for China VC fund
Chinese venture capital firm Gaorong Capital is targeting $1 billion for its fifth US dollar-denominated fund – twice the amount raised in the previous vintage.
Southeast Asia VC: Knowledge transfers
When venture capital firms move into Southeast Asia, they often use existing operations in China or India as a launching pad. Different lessons can be learned from these two markets
GGV targets $2b for China, US tech investments
GGV Capital will return to market with its latest set of China and US-focused funds, seeking to raise an aggregate $2 billion, up from $1.88 billion in the prior vintage.
Panlin raises $148m for China VC fund
Shanghai-based venture capital firm Panlin Capital has raised RMB1 billion ($148 million) in its latest early-stage fund having spent about 16 months in the market.
Openspace Ventures hires ex-Providence director
Singapore’s Openspace Ventures has hired Jessica Huang Pouleur (pictured), formerly of Providence Equity Partners and latterly head of Asia M&A for The Walt Disney Company, as an executive director.
Japan's 31 Ventures establishes second fund with $81m
Japan-based 31 Ventures, a VC firm established by local investor Global Brain and property developer Mitsui Fudosan, has launched a second fund of JPY8.5 billion ($81 million).
Lightspeed establishes Southeast Asia VC team
Lightspeed Venture Partners has formalized its Southeast Asian practice with the nomination of Akshay Bhushan (pictured) as head of a new Singapore office and three additional hires.
Vertex China closes first renminbi fund at $438m
Vertex China, a VC firm affiliated to Temasek Holdings-owned Vertex Holdings, has closed its first renminbi-denominated fund at RMB3 billion ($438 million).
Australia's Blackbird launches New Zealand fund
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has launched a NZ$60 million ($40 million) New Zealand-dedicated fund with a cornerstone investment of NZ$21.5 million from the government.
Korea, Singapore investors back Vietnam's Do Ventures
Korea’s Naver and Woowa Brothers have joined Singapore’s Sea and Vertex Holdings as LPs in the debut fund from Vietnam-based Do Ventures.
3one4 hits first close on third India VC fund
India’s 3one4 Capital has reached a first close on its third flagship early-stage venture capital fund.
