Venture
Hong Kong pledges to foster local start-up ecosystem
Hong Kong plans to increase funding to two local incubation programs – Cyberport and Hong Kong Science & Technology Park (HKSTP) – in the expectation they will play a leading role in the drive to turn the territory into an innovation hub.
Fund focus: Redpoint restates its local credentials
Redpoint China Ventures has raised $110 million for its debut renminbi-denominated fund, which is expected to offer greater flexibility in backing start-ups in the early stages
India's Fireside closes first fund at $52m
Fireside Ventures, an Indian VC firm set up by Helion Venture Partners co-founder Kanwaljit Singh (pictured), has closed its debut fund at INR3.4 billion ($52 million).
Impact agenda: Attracting institutional capital
Global PE firms are launching impact funds tailored to appeal to institutional investors that have so far largely ignored the space. There will be growing pains, but the benefits should be wide-ranging
HKTDC launches start-up incubation program
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has launched an incubation program for start-ups in the territory.
Redpoint China closes debut RMB fund at $110m
Redpoint China Ventures has closed its debut renminbi-denominated VC fund at RMB700 million ($110 million).
Tikehau makes $50m first close on Singapore healthcare fund
European asset management firm Tikehau Capital has reached a first close of $50 million on a healthcare-focused early stage investment fund.
Uber's Kalanick launches fund, targets China and India
Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick, who left his position as CEO of the company last year following a string of controversies, is launching an investment fund that will focus in part on China and India.
India's Prime closes third early-stage fund at $62m
Indian VC firm Prime Venture Partners has closed its latest early-stage fund at INR4 billion ($62 million).
Fenox joins Japan's Aisin for $50m automotive fund
US-based VC firm Fenox Venture Capital has partnered with Japan-based automotive parts and systems maker Aisin Group to launch a $50 million investment vehicle aimed at automotive-related technology start-ups.
Cisco invests in IDG's latest India venture fund
Cisco Investments, the VC arm of US technology giant Cisco, has committed an undisclosed amount to the third fund of IDG Ventures India.
Strategic players in China's tech space: The upstarts
A new generation of Chinese technology companies, led by Toutiao, Meituan-Dianping and Didi Chuxing, is challenging the incumbent giants. It is the inevitable consequence of a more complex environment
Alteria reaches first close on India venture debt fund
Alteria Capital, an Indian venture debt firm established by InnoVen Capital co-founders Vinod Murali and Ajay Hattangdi, has reached a first close of INR3.6 billion ($54.6 million) for its debut fund.
Future Fund seeks Australia venture capital exposure
Australia’s Future Fund is close to making its first commitment to a local venture capital manager as part of ongoing efforts to take advantage of technological disruption in the global economy.
Sea’s Nick Nash to step down, launch VC firm
Nick Nash (pictured), group president of Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Sea, will step down at the end of 2018 to launch his own regional VC firm.
Asia takes emerging markets fundraising to post-crisis high - EMPEA
Emerging markets private capital fundraising – led by emerging Asia – reached its highest point since the before the global financial crisis in 2017, according to EMPEA, with capital dispersed more evenly across different strategies than ever before.
Singapore to launch $76m IP commercialization vehicle
Singapore will support local start-ups through a S$100 million ($76 million) intellectual property (IP) commercialization fund, with Temasek Holdings set to provide at least half the capital.
Gobi's Victor Chua leaves to launch SE Asia VC firm
Victor Chua has left a position as vice president focusing on Southeast Asia at Gobi Partners to launch his own Malaysia-based VC firm, Vynn Capital.
Omnivore India agri fund reaches $46m first close
Omnivore Partners has reached a first close of $46 million on its second fund targeting agriculture investments in India.
Intudo doubles debut Indonesia fund
Indonesian early-stage VC investor Intudo Ventures has raised $20 million for its debut fund - having closed the vehicle last year at $10 million but subsequently reopened it due to increased investor interest.
Sinovation seeks $500m for China fund
Chinese early-stage venture capital firm Sinovation Ventures is looking to raise $500 million for its fourth US dollar-denominated fund.
B Capital closes Asia-US tech fund at $360m
B Capital Group, a venture capital firm established by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, has raised $360 million for a fund focused on start-ups that are ready to scale globally.
Baidu Ventures makes $318m first close on AI fund
Baidu Ventures, an independent VC firm set up by Chinese internet player Baidu, has achieved a first close of more than RMB2 billion ($318 million) on its second renminbi-denominated fund that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI).
China’s Legend Star closes $127m VC fund
Legend Star, the early-stage investment arm of China’s Legend Holdings, has closed its third VC fund at RMB800 million ($127 million).