Venture
IFC commits $45m to two China funds
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has committed $45 million between two Chinese PE funds.
China’s Douyu TV raises further $226m
Douyu TV, a Chinese online platform that features live videos of people playing games, has raised a RMB1.5 billion ($226 million) Series C round of funding led by Phoenix Investments and existing investor Tencent Holdings.
China female social networking site Meet You raises $151m
Meet You, a Chinese social networking platform for women, has completed a new round of funding worth RMB1 billion ($151 million), having removed its variable interest entity (VIE) structure in preparation for an onshore listing.
China smart bike maker Tsinova raises $23m
Tsinova, a Chinese smart bicycle manufacturer, has closed a RMB150 million ($23 million) Series B round led by THG Ventures, a venture capital firm backed by state-owned Tsinghua Holdings.
MDI leads funding round for Singapore's Red Dot
Metra Digital Innovation Ventures (MDI), the corporate venture arm of state-controlled telecommunications firm Telkom Indonesia, has led a funding round for Singapore-based online payment solutions provider Red Dot Payment.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
Green House, WiL partner on $52m India fund
India's Green House Ventures (GHV) Accelerator will partner with Japan and US-based early-stage investor World Innovation Labs (WiL) to launch a INR3.5 billion ($52 million) fund for investments in Indian start-ups.