Sectors
Deal focus: Affine builds software for an office beyond Office
Affine is one of many start-ups working on a set of collaborative tools to replace Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Its open-source model struck a chord with investors at a time when capital is scarce
Data sovereignty: Compliance complex
Deglobalisation is broadening the concept of cyber risk management from simply preventing attacks to navigating a minefield of data regulations. The pressure on PE spans investment, operations, and exits
Deal focus: Small is beautiful at Quantum Brilliance
Australia-based Quantum Brilliance has raised USD 18m in pre-Series A funding on the back of technological breakthrough that delivers quantum computing without large-scale cooling infrastructure
Deal focus: Loam Bio's agri-climate offering resonates with investors
Soil carbon sequestration specialist Loam Bio’s Series B is the largest ever seen in Australian agricultural technology. The company’s backers expect it to go big and go global
AVCJ Awards 2022: Operational Value Add: Sona Comstar
The Blackstone Group built a leader in India’s electric vehicle components space by combining – and then re-orienting – two traditional automotive players. Not even COVID-19 could stymie its progress
Gobi-Core named partner for Philippines start-up fund
A Philippines-focused fund supported by Gobi Partners has been selected as a co-investment partner for the government’s Startup Venture Fund (SVF), which was launched in 2021 to support early-stage investment.
China biosynthesis start-up Bluepha raises $58m
Bluepha, a Chinese start-up focused on bio-based chemicals, has raised CNY 400m (USD 58m) in a fourth tranche of Series B funding.
China GPs back pre-Series A for software start-up Affine
Affine, a Chinese-founded and Singapore-based collaborative software start-up, has raised USD 10m in pre-Series A funding led by Redpoint China, China Growth Capital, and Sinovation Ventures.
PeerCapital hits $37m first close on India early-stage fund
PeerCapital, an Indian venture capital firm that participates in seed and Series A rounds, has reached a first close of INR 3bn (USD 36.3m) on its debut fund.
Rise Fund buys Malaysian university from KV Asia
The Rise Fund, TPG’s global impact investment platform, has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Malaysia-based Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) from KV Asia.
AVCJ Awards 2022: Firm of the Year – Mid Cap: Pacific Equity Partners
Reflecting on a 12-month period characterised by a string of bumper exits, Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners sees a clear connection between performance and well-established team and culture
Saudi Arabia's PIF backs China e-sports platform
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested USD 265m in China’s VSPO, an e-sports broadcaster and events promoter formerly known as VSPN.
China's Pudu Robotics extends Series C to $170m
Pudu Robotics, a China-based manufacturer of service robots, has closed a third tranche of Series C funding with more than USD 15m in commitments. It was led by local VC firm Puhua Capital.
Australia quantum computer maker raises $18m
Australian quantum computer start-up Quantum Brilliance has raised USD 18m from several local VC firms, plus US-based investors Ultratech Capital Partners and CM Equity Partners.
Sequoia Southeast Asia leads Series C for Australia's Shift
Sequoia Capital Southeast Asia has led a Series C round of AUD 27m (USD 18.5m) for Australia-based credit and payments platform Shift.
Ribbit, Tiger Global, TVS commit $100m to India's PhonePe
Ribbit Capital, Tiger Global Management, and TVS Capital Funds have committed USD 100m to Indian digital payments platform PhonePe, joining an ever-lengthening investor roster.
Eight Roads builds out China team
Eight Roads Ventures has added three partners to its China team through promotion, bringing the total number in the country to 10.
Australia's Loam Bio raises $73m Series B
Loam Bio, an Australia-based agricultural technology start-up that uses microbes to sequester carbon in farm soils, has received AUD 105m (USD 73m) in Series B funding.
AVCJ Awards 2022: Operational Value-add: Owndays
L Catterton’s investment in Japanese eyewear brand Owndays demonstrated a hands-on approach to sharing commercial networks, expertise in omnichannel scaling, and operating capabilities
China medical device manufacturer gets Series D backing
China-based medical device manufacturer Hygea Medical Technology has raised more than CNY 100m (USD 15m) in Series D funding led by healthcare-focused In Capital.
L Catterton makes second China pet food investment
L Catterton has made its second China pet food investment in 12 months with a commitment of undisclosed size to Partner Pet, a leading domestic player in the premium freeze-dried pet food space.
Alibaba-backed eWTP pursues $1bn in VC fundraise
EWTP Arabia Capital, an investment arm of the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) backed by Alibaba Group and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has raised nearly USD 1bn for an Asia-Middle East fund.
Goldman Sachs, TVS lead $150m round for India's InsuranceDekho
Goldman Sachs and TVS Capital Funds have led a USD 150m Series A round for India’s InsuranceDekho, an online insurance policy comparison and brokerage service.
Singapore's Aspire closes Series C on $100m
Singapore-based B2B banking platform Aspire has closed an oversubscribed Series C round with USD 100m in commitments. Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital Southeast Asia took the lead.