Technology
VCs set for exit as Alibaba buys China cybersecurity start-up
Alibaba Cloud, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has agreed to acquire Chaitin Technology, a Chinese cybersecurity start-up backed by Matrix Partners and Qiming Venture Partners.
China’s Club Factory raises $100m Series D
Club Factory, a China-based e-commerce platform focused on India has raised a $100 million Series D round led by Qiming Venture Partners. Existing investors Bertelsmann Asia Investment and Frees Fund re-upped.
Deal focus: Udaan signals India’s digital progress
B2B marketplace Udaan has achieved unicorn status faster than any of its illustrious Indian forbears. A readymade national broadband infrastructure certainly helped
Chinese online property marketplace set for IPO
Fangdd Network, a Chinese online real estate marketplace backed by the likes of FountainVest Partners and CDH Investments, has filed to list in the US.
Globis, WiL, Japan Post back Series B for AI Medical
AI Medical Service, a Japanese healthcare technology start-up working on what it claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence-enabled endoscopic diagnosis system, has raised JPY4.6 billion ($43 million) in Series B funding.
India’s Oyo raises $700m in ongoing Series F
Indian hotel platform Oyo has raised $700 million from RA Hospitality Holdings, an entity controlled by founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal, as part of a Series F round targeting $1.5 billion.
VC-backed Chinese AI companies hit by US blacklisting
Eight Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups have been blacklisted by the US government. Several have received PE and VC funding, including SenseTime and Megvii Technology.
Deal focus: Avataar seeds India SaaS portfolio
Having won support from HarbourVest Partners to spin out a portfolio from his former employer, Norwest Venture Partners, Mohan Kumar is taking aim at India's underdeveloped enterprise software space
US tech regulation: Green card or red card?
Compliance with US regulations on foreign investment in critical technologies is forcing Chinese VC players to examine their fund structure and governance as well as their deployment strategies
Chinese apartment rental platform Qingke pursues US IPO
Q&K International Group, operator of China-based long-term apartment rentals platform Qingke, has filed for a US IPO. Its backers include Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Crescent Point.
Tencent injects $150m into China's VIPKid
VIPKid, China-based English language learning platform, has announced the completion of a Series E funding round led by Tencent Holdings.
Family offices: The IT crowd
Asia's family offices have benefited by going big on growth capital and venture, leveraging technology trends in the region. However, not all family money is smart money
Deal focus: Darwinbox prioritizes Southeast Asia
Human resources software provider Darwinbox is among the Indian business services players leading the charge into Southeast Asia
PropertyGuru seeks as much as $256m in Australia IPO
PropertyGuru, a Southeast Asia-focused online real estate portal that counts TPG Capital and KKR among its investors, is looking to raise up to A$380.2 million ($256 million) through an IPO in Australia.
Southeast Asia's internet economy to be worth $100b in 2019
The gross merchandise value (GMV) of Southeast Asia’s internet economy will surpass $100 billion this year and hit $300 billion by 2025, according to a report by Google, Temasek Holdings, and Bain & Company.
Co-Stone leads $28m Series B for Chinese gene sequencer
Gene+ Technology, a Chinese provider of gene sequencing services used to support cancer diagnoses, has raised RMB200 million ($28 million) in a Series B round led by Co-Stone Asset Management.
Japanese flying car developer receives $14m
Japanese flying car developer SkyDrive has raised a $14 million funding round from a group including Itochu Technology Ventures and Strive.
Industrial intrigue: China's industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is a handy buzzword for those selling a manufacturing upgrade story in China, but implementation remains a challenge. Smart Fabric’s efforts make it the exception to the rule
Asia fintech: Micro is big
The lowest common denominator is getting lower in financial services as technology reaches deeper into the sector. Investors must keep up to speed on business model evolution
New Mountain Capital buys US-India BPO player
US private equity firm New Mountain Capital has agreed to acquire Emids, a US-headquartered business process outsourcing (BPO) provider with extensive operations in India, for an undisclosed sum.
Fund focus: Vertex pumps up in SE Asia, India
Having raised $305 million for its latest India and Southeast Asia fund, Vertex Ventures is looking to tap into themes of technological advancement common to both geographies
Japan investors back US token player Securitize
Japanese investors are supporting efforts to bring token-based economic infrastructure to Japan with participation in a $14 million round for US-based digital securities technology player Securitize.
Deal focus: Russell Simmons backs Singapore's Gushcloud
Singapore-based Gushcloud International has teamed up with the founder of Def Jam Recordings to create a digital talent agency that realizes value for social media influencers in Asia and America
Chinese community group buying player receives $14m
Chujia Xinxuan – a community group buying platform under Guangzhou-based Chang Zheng Group - has received RMB100 million ($14 million) from GF Xinde Investment, an investment arm of GF securities.