Technology
Deal focus: China's Benlai takes a different approach to group buying
Community group buying businesses are beginning to struggle in China despite considerable VC investment. Fresh produce retailer Benlai believes its online-to-offline hybrid model is more sustainable
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2020
Industry experts weigh in as a range of macro factors promise to reshape markets across the region. Political, demographic, and scientific variables loom large
Indonesia’s Alpha JWC Ventures closes second fund at $123m
Indonesia-based early-stage investor Alpha JWC Ventures has closed its second fund oversubscribed at $123 million.
Chinese industrial internet platform gets $42m Series A
Xreacloud, an industrial internet-of-things (IoT) platform incubated by Chinese state-owned construction machinery manufacturer XCMG, has raised RMB300 million ($43 million) in Series A funding.
Australia's Blackbird completes Fund I strip sale
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has completed a GP-led secondary transaction whereby StepStone Global and HESTA have acquired interests from its debut fund for approximately A$100 million ($69 million).
Singapore medical tech start-up raises $40 million
Awak Technologies, a Singaporean start-up that makes wearable dialysis treatment devices, has raised $40 million co-led by Vickers Venture Partners and an unnamed medical technology company.
Deal focus: 2C2P brings enterprise to SE Asia fintech
Cento Ventures picked 2C2P as the first investment under its late-stage strategy, having been one over by the company's B2B approach to digital payments
China's KeChow Pharma gets $45m Series C
Shanghai Kechow Pharma, a Chinese small molecule targeted drug developer, has raised a $45 million Series C round led by Decheng Capital.
China fabrics platform Baibu raises $300m
Baibu, a Chinese B2B trading and services platform for the textiles and fabrics industry, has raised a $300 million Series D round led by DST Global.
Delivery Hero to buy Korea's Woowa Brothers for $4b
Food delivery start-up Delivery Hero has agreed to acquire Korean peer Woowa Brothers in a deal that values the target at $4 billion and will facilitate exits for several private equity investors.
Reliance buys majority stake in India's NowFloats
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries has agreed to buy an 85% stake in local enterprise IT provider NowFloats for INR1.4 billion ($20 million). It positions several VCs to exit.
China’s largest co-working player Ucommune files for US IPO
Ucommune, China’s largest co-working space player which is considered the local equivalent to troubled US operator WeWork, has filed for a US IPO.
Chinese drone maker EHang raises $40m in US IPO
Chinese drone manufacturer EHang traded flat on its NASDAQ debut following a $40 million IPO that priced at the bottom end of the indicative range.
Hong Kong's WeLab secures $156m Series C
WeLab, a Hong Kong financial technology start-up that abandoned plans for an IPO approximately 12 months ago, has raised $156 million in a new private funding round.
Tencent Literature leads round for Chinese interactive filmmaker
AltStory, a Chinese interactive movie and television content company, has raised approximately RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A funding led by China Literature, a listed unit of Tencent Holdings.
3one4 closes India venture, seed funds
India’s 3one4 Capital has closed its latest venture capital fund with INR4 billion ($57 million) in commitments and raised INR450 million for seed investment vehicle.
Taiwan technology: Homeward bound?
Taiwan is encouraging its industrial technology manufacturers to relocate operations from the mainland to the domestic market in response to China-US tensions. This may create openings for PE and VC investors
2019 in review: Falling short
Fundraising, investment and exits in Asia are unlikely to match last year as pan-regional funds take a back seat, large-cap buyouts remain in short supply, growth-stage tech loses its edge, and IPOs flounder
Chinese space launch provider get $71m Series C
Chinese commercial space launch service provider LandSpace has raised a RMB500 million ($71 million) Series C led by the VC arm of Hong Kong-listed property developer Country Garden.
Australia cybersecurity start-up receives $47.6m
Australia-based cybersecurity start-up Secure Code Warrior has secured a $47.6 million Series B round led by Goldman Sachs.
Chinese digital logistics player secures $14m Series A
Kalihulian - a China-based digital logistics platform that offers an Uber-style service for cargo freight - has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A funding led by Sino-Ocean Capital, an investment arm of property developer Sino-Ocean Group.
Singapore e-scooter start-up raises $18.5m
Neuron Mobility, a Singapore-based e-scooter company, has secured a $18.5 million Series A round led by Australia’s Square Peg Capital and US-based GSR Ventures.
ClearVue joins $74 million round for China’s Aibee
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Aibee has raised RMB522 million ($74 million) in an extended Series A round led by ClearVue Partners and technology-focused Singularity Power Capital (SPC).
Apis closes Fund II at revised hard cap of $563m
Apis Partners has closed its second emerging markets-focused financial services and technology fund at the revised hard cap of $563 million. The initial target was $400 million.