Technology
Japanese space rental platform files for IPO
SpaceMarket, a Japanese start-up that lists vacant spaces available for rent for corporate events, is looking to raise up to JPY933.2 million ($8.5 million) through a domestic IPO.
Chinese GPs back $120m Series B for OPay
A group of Chinese investors including Gaorong Capital and Sequoia Capital China have joined a $120 million Series B round for Nigerian logistics and payments technology company Opay.
Xiaomi-backed smart home player raises $100 million
Lumi United, a Chinese smart home appliances and internet-of-things (IoT) solutions provider backed by smart phone maker Xiaomi, has raised $100 million in the third tranche of a Series B funding round.
PE-backed Chinese SaaS player pursues US IPO
CDP, a Chinese human resources software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that counts NASDAQ-listed 51job and China Broadband Capital (CBC) as its largest external investors, has filed for an IPO in the US.
PE-backed Ping An fintech spin-out pursues US offering
OneConnect Financial Technology, an affiliate of China’s Ping An Insurance backed by the likes of IDG Capital, SBI Group, and SoftBank Vision Fund, has filed to list in the US.
China VCs get more selective - AVCJ Forum
Chinese venture capital firms are doubling down on areas in which they have domain expertise as the spectrum of opportunities widens, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
China electric car maker Xpeng closes $400m Series C
Xpeng Motors, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer established by Xiaopeng He, previously founder of web browser UCWeb and a senior executive at Alibaba Group, has raised $400 million in Series C funding.
Chinese medical device start-up receives $100m
Chinese medical instrument provider Peijia Medical has raised a RMB700 million ($100 million) Series C round from a group including Matrix Partners China and Lilly Asia Ventures.
Alibaba invests $3.3b in logistics affiliate Cainiao
Alibaba Group has enlarged a controlling stake in its PE-backed shipping affiliate Cainiao Smart Logistics Network with a $3.3 billion investment.
Japan's WealthNavi secures $37m funding round
A fund launched by Sony Financial Ventures and Global Brain is among the participants in a JPY4.1 billion ($37.5 million) funding round for Japanese financial technology start-up WealthNavi.
China's Qingke trades up on debut after smaller than expected IPO
Q&K International Group, operator of China-based long-term apartment rentals platform Qingke, posted a marginal gain on its US trading debut after raising $45.9 million in an IPO priced at the bottom end of the indicative range.
Hillhouse, Crystal Stream invest African logistics start-up
Lori Systems, one of Africa’s largest logistics coordination platforms, has raised almost $30 million in a Series A round led by Hillhouse Capital and Crystal Stream Capital.
CICC, AstraZeneca launch $1b China healthcare fund
China International Capital Corporation (CICC) and global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca are looking to raise $1 billion for a fund that will back Chinese healthcare companies as well as international players looking to enter the country.
PE & QSR: Dining disrupted
With ubiquitous delivery services, ordering apps that learn user preferences, and intelligent inventory management, technology is changing China’s restaurant industry. Operators are in a race to stay relevant
Philippines-based Xurpas acquires Wavemaker Partners
Philippines consumer technology developer Xurpas has agreed to acquire the US operations of venture capital firm Wavemaker Partners.
SoftBank founder admits to lapses on WeWork
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son admitted to a lapse in judgment on WeWork while disclosing that SoftBank Vision Fund and SoftBank Group have written down their positions in the beleaguered co-working space provider by a combined $7.7 billion.
Eastern Bell closes first US dollar fund at $365m
China’s Eastern Bell Capital has closed its first US dollar-denominated fund at $365 million, exceeding the target of $350 million.
China Everbright, Investcorp deepen China tech partnership
China Everbright and Investcorp have agreed to combine their respective China technology-focused investment teams and co-manage a recently launched fund targeting the sector.
VCs set for exit as Alibaba buys IDsManager
Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing unit of Alibaba Group, has agreed to acquire IDsManager, a Chinese cloud-based ID management platform backed by Qiming Venture Partners and Fortune Capital.
Chinese drone maker EHang targets US listing
Chinese drone manufacturer EHang has filed for a US IPO, potentially delivering a liquidity event for investors including GGV Capital and ZhenFund.
Australia: VC in vogue
A handful of Australian superannuation funds have started investing directly in local start-ups as well as backing VC funds. Is buying a strip off one of these portfolios the next step?
China property marketplace trades flat after $78m IPO
Chinese online real estate marketplace Fangdd Network raised $78 million in its US IPO, having reduced the size of the offering, and traded flat on its first day on NASDAQ.
Japan's Paidy secures $143m in funding
Paidy, one of Japan’s largest financial technology start-ups, has confirmed $143 million in new funding, comprising an extended Series C round and debt financing.
Fund focus: AirTree goes full service
AirTree Ventures raised $188 million for its third fund on the back of a hiring spree that has doubled headcount and added operational capabilities as the firm looks to nurture a new generation of Australian unicorns
