Technology
Hong Kong investors subscribe to movie crypto offering
Two Hong Kong investors will commit $100 million to a digital token offering by Proxima Media, a Hollywood production house established by Ryan Kavanaugh, who previously worked with SAIF Partners and IDG Capital on a China-focused film venture.
China-US trade: Opening gambit
Investors see short-term challenges in the ongoing China-US trade conflict, but longer-term opportunities are expected to emerge from the decoupling of the two economic giants
VC investors excited by Vietnam's tech talent - AVCJ Forum
Vietnam’s deepening pool of technology talent could be its biggest asset as the country evolves from a nascent start-up ecosystem to one capable of generating multiple unicorns.
TPG-SoftBank fund backs Chinese SaaS platform
China-based Wangdiantong, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform provider for retailers, has raised over RMB100 million ($14.5 million) from a fund backed by TPG Capital and SoftBank Ventures Asia.
SBI joins $35m Series B for Japan's Pixie Dust
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan’s SBI Holdings, has joined a JPY3.8 billion $35 million Series B round for Pixie Dust Technologies, a local company developing novel uses for ultrasonic waves.
Technology key to Vietnam consumer deals - AVCJ Forum
Technology is a critical factor for any investor looking to participate in the Vietnam consumer story, whether they are backing retail businesses directly or any sector proxies, industry participants told the AVCJ Vietnam Forum.
Creador invests $18m in India's iValue
Creador has acquired a minority stake in iValue InfoSolutions, an India-based provider of cybersecurity services, for INR1.25 billion ($18 million).
India used car marketplace raises $13m Series A
SAIF Partners and Accel Partners have led a $13.2 million Series A round for Indian online used car marketplace Spinny, with participation by existing investors Blume Ventures and Simile Ventures.
Hong Kong's KaiOS gets $50m Series B
Hong Kong-based smart phone operating system provider KaiOs Technologies has raised a $50 million Series B round led by Cathay Innovation, a VC affiliate of Cathay Capital Private Equity.
Sequoia, MassMutual lead Series B for Singapore's Biofourmis
Sequoia Capital India and MassMutual Ventures have led a $35 million Series B round of funding for Singapore-based Biofourmis, operator of a health analytics platform that tracks how patients are responding to treatment.
China online education: Passing the test?
Capital has poured into China’s online education sector in recent years, but with losses mounting and valuations called into question, investors are finding that not all business models are created equal
China restaurant industry supplier gets $14m Series A
China-based Zuodashi, which provides digital solutions and food accompaniments to restaurant delivery businesses, has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A round led by Hua Gai Capital.
Australia’s Canva raises $70m at $2.5b valuation
Australian graphic design start-up Canva has raised $70 million from investors including US-based General Catalyst and Bond Capital, the new vehicle of Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker. It values Canva at $2.5 billion.
Wu Capital leads round for Chinese vocational training business
Sanjieke, a China-based vocational training services provider, has raised an RMB130 million ($19 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Wu Capital.
China's Luckin Coffee gains 20% after upsized IPO
China’s second largest coffee chain Luckin Coffee, which counts Centurium Capital and Joy Capital among its private equity investors, surged around 20% on its US debut following a $561 million IPO.
New Zealand agtech player gets $6.7m
BioLumic, a New Zealand-based start-up that develops ultraviolet (UV) crop yield enhancement systems, has raised a $6.7 million Series A led by US agricultural technology VC firm Finistere Ventures.
Vertex raises $230m for India, Southeast Asia fund
Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH), the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has reached the initial $230 million target for its fourth Southeast Asia and India fund in a single closing.
Japan's PE-backed Sansan files for IPO
Sansan, a PE-backed company that specializes in cloud-based business card digitization, has filed for a domestic IPO that is expected to generate around JPY35.2 billion ($321 million).
SoftBank leads $200m round for India's Grofers
Indian online grocer Grofers has raised more than $200 million in a Series F funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
Hong Kong fintech player raises $30m Series A
Hong Kong-based OneDegree, an insurance technology start-up, has raised over $30 million for its Series A led by financial technology-focused investment firm BitRock Capital.
Q&A: MassMutual Ventures' Ryan Collins
Ryan Collins, a managing director with MassMutual Ventures, discusses being a financial rather than a strategic investor, the rise of VC in Southeast Asia, and giving entrepreneurs straight answers
Kejora closes growth fund at over $100m
Indonesian venture capital firm Kejora Ventures has closed its latest fund, a growth vehicle that will invest in technology businesses in Southeast Asia, with more than $100 million in commitments.
ION to buy majority stake in Acuris
Financial software and data platform developer ION Investment Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Acuris, the parent company of AVCJ, for an undisclosed amount. The deal will provide a full exit for Singapore’s GIC Private, while current...
PE investors commit $1b to JD.com's healthcare unit
A group including CITIC Private Equity, CICC Capital and Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to invest $1 billion in the healthcare unit of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, acquiring a combined stake of 14.5%.