Sectors
Salesforce launches $100m Japan VC fund
Enterprise software giant Salesforce has launched a $100 million fund via its venture investment unit that will focus on cloud-based technologies in Japan.
Google joins Series C round for Japan's Abeja
Google has participated in a Series C round for Japanese corporate analytics player Abeja, taking the company's cumulative funding to JPY6 billion ($53 million).
China industrial e-commerce player Ruigu raises $33.5m
Ruigu Shop, a Chinese online retailer focused on electrical hardware, has raised RMB230 million ($33.5 million) in an extended Series B round led by Immensus Capital.
Singtel Innov8 leads $16m round for Australia's Data Republic
Singtel Innov8, the venture arm of Singapore telecom giant SingTel, has led a A$22 million ($16.2 million) Series B round for Australian cybersecurity technology company Data Republic.
Cool Japan leads $44m round for Spiber
Cool Japan Fund has led a JPY5 billion ($44 million) round for Spiber, a domestic biotechnology developer focused on synthesizing protein-based materials that simulate characteristics of spiderwebs.
Ant Financial leads Series C for Chinese logistics player Keking
Chinese logistics cloud-based software provider Keking has raised RMB1 billion ($143.7 million) in a Series C round of funding led by Ant Financial and Centurium Capital.
Steadview, Vy lead $50m Series D for India's UrbanClap
Hong Kong-based hedge fund Steadview Capital and existing investor Vy Capital have led a $50 million Series D round for Indian local services marketplace UrbanClap.
Morgan Stanley's Matsuyama joins Carlyle Japan
The Carlyle Group has named Tomofumi Matsuyama (pictured), a former executive at Morgan Stanley, as a managing director of its Japan buyout team.
Golden Gate commits $18m to Malaysia
Singapore-based Golden Gate Ventures has committed to invest MYR75 million ($18 million) in Malaysian technology start-ups and opened a new office in the country.
India's PE-backed Coldex files for IPO
Indian cold chain logistics provider Coldex has filed for an IPO that will provide a partial exit to Asia Climate Partners (ACP), an investment vehicle backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Orix Corp, and Robeco Institutional Asset Management.
India fintech: Corporations act
Stakeholders foresee progress and problems as global strategic investors make their first bets in the Indian fintech space. There is little expectation of replicating the China story
China's 360 Enterprise Security raises $180m pre-Series B
Chinese B2B internet security services provider 360 Enterprise Security Group has raised RMB1.25 billion ($180 million) in a pre-Series B round of funding.
VIG buys global Korean fried chicken franchise
VIG Partners has agreed to buy a 55% stake in Bonchon International, a Korean fried chicken restaurant brand with 325 outlets across eight countries. The size of the transaction was not disclosed.
MSPEA backs Indian NBFC Kogta Financial
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has led a INR1.54 billion ($22.1 million) investment in Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) Kogta Financial.
L Catterton invests China fitness club operator
L Catterton Asia has invested an undisclosed amount in Will’s Group, a China-based operator of fitness facilities and services, to support its domestic expansion plans.
India's VC-backed Drivezy raises $20m Series B
Drivezy, a vehicle sharing marketplace based in India, has raised a $20 million Series B round led by existing investor Das Capital, with participation by Japan’s Yamaha Motor Co.
Square Peg joins $81m Series B for Australia’s Deputy
Australia’s Square Peg Capital has joined an $81 million Series B funding round for domestic workforce management software provider Deputy.
Polaris to acquire Japan's O-Net from Rakuten
Polaris Capital has agreed to acquire Japanese online marriage services and event planning business O-net from e-commerce giant Rakuten for an undisclosed amount.
Korea's ACE Equity seals $356m tech manufacturing buyout
ACE Equity Partners, a Korean private equity firm that operates on a project fund basis, has acquired Daeho Technology Korea (DTK), a manufacturer of glass used in smart phones, for KRW400 billion ($356 million).
China's WuXi NextCode closes $200m Series C
WuXi NextCode, a genome sequencing analysis business with ties to China-based contract research organization WuXi PharmaTech, has raised $200 million in a Series C round of funding from a consortium led by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
Crescent agrees $112m carve-out of Australia's Viridian Glass
Crescent Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Viridian Glass, a maker of float glass based in Australia and New Zealand, from building products manufacturer CSR for A$155 million ($112 million).
Cocoon launches $20m Southeast Asia VC fund
Singapore-based VC investor Cocoon Capital has launched its second early-stage fund with a target of $20 million.
Chinese AI player Aibee gets $60m Series A
China and US-based artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provider Aibee has raised $60 million in a Series A round of funding led by Sequoia Capital China and Red Star Macalline, a Hong Kong-listed furniture mall operator.
Asia fintech player Oriente raises $105m in seed funding
Oriente, a Hong Kong financial technology company backed by local investor BlackPine Private Equity, has raised $105 million in seed funding from a group of family offices.