Technology
INCJ-backed Japan Display agrees $2.1b foreign bailout
Japan Display, an electronics supplier backed by Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), has agreed a JPY232 billion ($2.1 billion) bailout, including an approximately $714 million investment from China’s Harvest Fund Management.
Legend leads round for Chinese self-driving tech specialist
China and US-based autonomous driving technology developer Black Sesame has completed its Series B round of funding, raising around $100 million led by Junhai Chuangxin, an investment vehicle under Legend Capital.
Japan's Astroscale expands Series D by $30m
Astroscale, a Japan-based space technology company focused on debris removal, has announced a $30 million extension to its Series D round, bringing the total raised to $80 million.
China’s Pony.ai to receive $50m from Beijing Kunlun Tech
China and US-based autonomous driving technology developer Pony.ai will receive $50 million from listed internet company Beijing Kunlun Tech in a deal that values the business at approximately $1.7 billion.
CCA’s VC unit expands into Indonesia
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), an Australia-listed food and beverage distributor for Coca-Cola and several other food brands, has established a branch of its venture capital unit Amatil X in Indonesia.
Deal focus: Efficiency by numbers
Chinese big data services provider MiningLamp Software has raised $298 million with a view to expanding into new verticals. The effort will leverage a strong foothold in police and surveillance work
INCJ leads $230m round for Japan's JOLED
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a JPY25.5 billion ($230 million) round for domestic display screen manufacturer and technology developer JOLED.
Bain falls short in tender offer for Japan's Kosaido
The proposed JPY17.4 billion ($157 million) acquisition of Japanese printing and IT services provider Kosaido by Bain Capital has reached an impasse after the private equity firm’s tender offer failed to win sufficient shareholder support.
Singapore's TPG-backed AirTrunk raises $333m
TPG Capital and Goldman Sachs have joined a S$450 million ($332.6 million) investment in AirTrunk, a Singapore-based provider of data center services.
1Q analysis: China malaise
First quarter analysis: China uncertainty hits PE investment; public market instability holds back IPOs; distress strategies underpin India fundraising as commitments to China-focused managers plummet
India's SigTuple gets $16m Series C
Trusted Insight, a US-based syndicate of institutional investors focused on alternatives, has led a $16 million Series C round for Indian healthcare artificial intelligence (AI) company SigTuple.
Vision Fund leads $225m round for Hong Kong’s Klook
Klook, a Hong Kong-headquartered booking platform for attractions, tours, dining and local experiences, has raised $225 million in an extended Series D round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
China tech valuations: Unnatural acts
China’s tech sector is gripped by uncertainty, but some GPs will do anything to avoid marking down their portfolios. LPs are entitled to ask whether unicorns are still worthy of a billion-dollar valuation
Chinese cosmetic surgery marketplace files for US IPO
So-Young International, a Chinese online marketplace focusing on cosmetic surgery, has filed to list in the US. PE backers include Orchid Asia, Matrix Partners China, and the Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF).
Southeast Asia's Grab ups capital-raising target by $2b
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and online-to-offline (O2O) services platform Grab has confirmed it will seek to raise an additional $2 billion within 2019, bringing its ongoing Series H round to some $6.5 billion.
KTB leads round for Chinese EV trading platform
China-based Shenma Chuxing, which provides trading services for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid dealers, has raised $20 million in Series A funding from South Korea’s KTB Ventures and China’s Frees Fund.
Baring Asia buys 30% stake in India's NIIT Technologies
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to pay INR26.3 billion ($379 million) in cash for a 30% stake in India-listed IT services provider NIIT Technologies with plans to eventually take a majority position.
VC-backed Ruhan drops on debut after $125m US IPO
Ruhan, a VC-backed Chinese celebrity incubator that creates online personalities who drive e-commerce activity, slipped 37% below its IPO price on the first day of trading following a $125 million NASDAQ offering.
China's Source Code raises $570m for latest US dollar funds
Source Code Capital, a Chinese VC firm founded by Yi Cao (pictured), formerly a partner at Sequoia Capital China, has closed two new US dollar vehicles at $570 million.
Tencent backs China e-commerce service provider
Tencent Holdings has led a HK$911 million ($116 million) investment in Hong Kong-listed e-commerce service provider China Youzan, with participation by Gaocheng Capital and Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments, operator of the Greater Bay Area Homeland...
Deal focus: Boomplay aspires to become Africa’s Spotify
Boomplay has leveraged demand for its Chinese parent's smart phones to become the leading music streaming platform in Africa. Maison Capital and Yunshi Capital were sufficiently impressed to back a $20 million Series A round
Korean online grocery player secures $88m Series D
Market Kurly, a four-year-old Korean start-up that provides online grocery delivery services, has raised KRW100 billion ($88 million) in Series D funding.
Deal focus: Airwallex plots Asia payments expansion
Airwallex recently became Australia's newest unicorn following a $100 million Series C round, but the company's growth is largely based on an understanding of Chinese demand. Regional expansion is now the priority
Singapore crypto platform hits $1b valuation with Series C
Liquid.com, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency trading platform, has passed the $1 billion valuation mark with the first close of a Series C round led by IDG Capital.