Media
Crypto exchange KuCoin raises $150m pre-Series B
Singapore-based crypto platform KuCoin has raised USD 150m in pre-Series B funding from an investor group featuring IDG Capital and Matrix Partners, claiming a valuation of USD 10bn.
Tiga SPAC to merge with San Vicente-owned Grindr
Grindr, a LGBTQ+ dating app acquired by an investor group after its Chinese owner violated foreign investment regulations, has agreed to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) sponsored by Singapore-based Tiga Investments.
Deal focus: Square Peg supports LottieFiles’ push for scale
LottieFiles has carefully cultivated an investor base that can participate in its bid to capture even more demand from companies keen to plug motion graphics into their apps and websites
Square Peg backs US, Malaysia-based LottieFiles
Square Peg Capital has led a USD 37m Series B round for US and Malaysia-based motion graphics platform LottieFiles.
GD1 launches New Zealand's first crypto VC fund
New Zealand’s GD1 has launched what it calls the first dedicated crypto and Web3 VC fund in its home market less than a week after a similar claim by PAC Capital in Australia.
Vulcan leads $65m Series B for Singapore's Bandlab
Vulcan Capital, an investment vehicle established by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has led a USD 65m Series B round for Singapore-based social music platform BandLab.
Dream Capital leads $120m Series A for India cricket NFT platform
Dream Capital, the corporate venture capital arm of India fantasy sports platform operator Dream Sports, has led a USD 120m Series A for Rario, a specialist in cricket-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Bain launches tender offer for Japan marketing business
Bain Capital has launched a tender offer for Japan-based television and direct marketing business Tri-Stage that values the company at approximately JPY 17.2bn (USD 137.3m).
Singapore parenting app raises $22m Series D
East Ventures has led a USD 22m round for Singapore’s Parentinc, which claims that its flagship brand, theAsianparent, is Southeast Asia’s largest parenting platform.
Korea Web3 gaming platform gets $34m
Krust Universe, a start-up incubation and investment unit of Korean internet giant Kakao, has led a USD 34m round for local Web3 gaming platform Iskra.
CPPIB leads $805m round for India's VerSe
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has led a USD 805m Series J round for India’s Verse Innovation, parent of media apps Dailyhunt and Josh. It is said to value the company at USD 5bn.
India's Games24x7 raises $75m, becomes unicorn
Malabar Investment has led a USD 75m funding round for Games 24x7, an India-based mobile games operator, at a valuation of USD 2.5bn.
Riverside backs Australia events software provider
The Riverside Company has invested an undisclosed sum in EventsAIR, an Australian events management software provider for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
Index, Coatue lead $110m round for Australia's Linktree
Index Ventures and Coatue Management have led a USD 110m round for Linktree, an Australian social media platform that drives audience engagement, at a valuation of USD 1.3bn.
India media tech supplier Amagi secures $95m
Amagi, an India-based broadcasting industry technology provider that claims an audience of more than 2bn people, has raised a USD 95m round led by Accel Partners at a valuation of at least USD 1bn.
India gaming, e-sports player Loco raises $43m
Indian game streaming and e-sports start-up Loco has raised INR 3.3bn (USD 43.3m) in Series A funding led by Korean blockchain specialist Hashed Ventures.
Flexibility first: Investing in the future of work
Investment in work-tech has soared as start-ups devise solutions for workforces that are increasingly distributed in terms of location, structure, and practice. Data, and knowing what to do with it, is key
Korean metaverse player closes Series A, hits $807m valuation
VA Corporation, a Korean virtual content provider that is positioning itself as a metaverse platform, has achieved a valuation of KRW 1trn (USD 807m) on closing a KRW 100bn Series A round.
India's Byju's raises $800m at $22b valuation
Indian education platform Byju’s has raised USD 800m at an estimated valuation of USD 22bn, with the company’s founder Byju Raveendran providing USD 400m.
CLSA launches $500m China growth fund
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has launched a China growth fund focused on healthcare, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, tech-enabled media. The target is USD 500m.
Silver Lake wins approval for New Zealand rugby deal
Silver Lake has won approval for a NZD 200m (USD 134m) investment in the commercial arm of New Zealand rugby, reflecting a recent upswing in global private equity involvement in sport in Asia.
New Zealand's Soul Machines raises $70m
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a USD 70m round for New Zealand-based Soul Machines, which specialises in creating lifelike digital employees for customer engagement.
India consumer media: Showtime
Investors navigate slim margins and a complex cultural landscape as new digital channels help Indian media rebound from COVID-19. Sector leaders are flirting with global expansion, but is it too early?
India virtual events platform gets $35m Series B
Airmeet, a US-headquartered and Asia-focused virtual events platform with extensive operations in India, has raised USD 35m in Series B funding featuring Sequoia Capital India.
