Technology
Indonesia's Gojek, Tokopedia merge as GoTo
Gojek and Tokopedia, two of Indonesia’s best-funded technology start-ups, have completed a merger, forming what they claim is the largest mobile on-demand services and payments platform in Southeast Asia.
Japan microsatellite developer gets $24m Series C
Japanese microsatellite developer Axelspace has raised JPY2.6 billion ($24 million) in Series C funding from a group of domestic VCs, including Sparx Group.
KKR invests $95m in India's Lenskart
KKR has invested $95 million in Indian eyewear retail leader Lenskart via a secondary transaction that facilitated partial exits of undisclosed size for TPG Growth and TR Capital.
Baring Asia exits SAI Global's assurance business
Baring Private Equity Asia is set to exit a significant part of Australia-based SAI Global, having agreed to sell the standards and assurance services business to UK-listed Intertek Group for A$855 million ($664 million).
Hong Kong NFT player raises $89m at $1b valuation
Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands, a blockchain-based games developer diversifying into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), has raised $88.9 million from a group of VCs at a valuation of $1 billion.
China HR SaaS player Beisen raises $260m
Beisen, China’s largest integrated human resources software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, has raised $260 million in Series F funding. It is said to be the largest-ever round in this segment of enterprise services.
China's WeRide closes Series C, hits $3.3b valuation
Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has achieved a valuation of $3 billion on closing a Series C round of undisclosed size. It comes four months after the company raised $310 million in Series B funding.
SoftBank increases commitment to second Vision Fund
SoftBank Group has increased its commitment to Vision Fund 2 from $10 billion to $30 billion after a revival in the fortunes of Vision Fund 1 meant the company returned to profit over the past 12 months.
James Murdoch launches Asia-focused SPAC
James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will pursue deals in Southeast and South Asia, with a particular focus on India.
LG Chem to anchor IMM's Korea battery fund
IMM Private Equity’s recently established credit unit has launched a KRW400 billion ($353 million) Korea-focused fund that will invest in components for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other environmentally friendly industrial materials.
Vision Fund leads $330m investment in China grocery platform
Dingdong Macai, a China-based online fresh produce delivery business, has raised $330 million in an extended Series D round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
China self-driving truck start-up agrees $3.3b SPAC merger
Plus, a China-based autonomous driving technology developer that specializes in trucks, has agreed to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at a valuation of $3.3 billion.
Hong Kong crypto start-up gets $40m Series A
Sequoia Capital China, Tiger Global Management, and Boyu Capital have joined a $40 million Series A round for Hong Kong cryptocurrency services provider Babel Finance.
China medical tech supplier AMS raises $100m
China and US-based Access Medical Systems (AMS) has raised a $100 million round co-led by Sequoia Capital China and GL Ventures.
Deal focus: The e-commerce agglomeration effect
Inspired by Thrasio buying up e-commerce brands in the US and using its resources to drive growth, Una Brands wants to do the same in Asia. The start-up has secured $40 million to kick-start this effort
India retail: Bazaar bedrock
Traditional micro-retailers continue to dominate India’s consumer economy, thriving amid COVID-19, encroaching supermarkets, and the rise of e-commerce. So, why is investing in them so hard?
Source Code leads Series C for China online insurance broker
Yuanbao, a Chinese online insurance broker, has raised nearly RMB1 billion ($156 million) in Series C funding led by Source Code Capital. Other investors include Cathay Capital, Hike Capital, Northern Light Venture Capital, Qiming Venture Partners, and...
Nordstar, Insignia back Asia Amazon marketplace consolidator
Southeast Asia has seen its second e-commerce aggregator investment in a matter of days, with Rainforest securing $36 million in seed funding from Nordstar and Insignia Venture Partners.
China’s Hope Medicine raises $56m Series B
Chinese innovative drug company Hope Medicine has raised a $56 million Series B round jointly led by Qiming Venture Partners and Grand Flight Investment.
Asia brand aggregator raises $40m
Una Brands, an aggregator of e-commerce brands with a presence across Asia, has launched with A$50 million ($40 million) in seed funding from 500 Startups, Kingsway Capital, 468 Capital, Presight Capital, and Global Founders Capital.
5Y, Sequoia back China app-building platform
Huoban.com, a Chinese zero-code application building platform has raised $17 million in Series B funding led by 5Y Capital and Sequoia Capital China. Challenjers Capital also took part in the round.
China audio platform Ximalaya files for US IPO
Ximalaya, China’s largest online audio platform, which counts the likes of Tencent Holdings, General Atlantic, and Goldman Sachs among its backers, has filed for a US IPO.
Ocean Link joins consortium pursuing 51job take-private
DCP Capital Partners has enlarged the consortium seeking to acquire Chinese online recruitment services platform 51job with the addition of Ocean Link Capital and the target company’s CEO.
Asia technology: Anatomy of a rebound
Tech investment has been on a tear in Asia, with private equity joining venture capital at the party. While COVID-19 has contributed to these dynamics, the revival is rooted in deeper structural change
