Technology
Fenox launches $20m VC fund with Japan's Sega Sammy
Fenox Venture Capital, a VC firm based in Silicon Valley, has partnered with Japanese entertainment company Sega Sammy Holdings to launch a $20 million fund to invest in advanced technologies globally.
Shunwei raises $1.2b for fourth China VC fund
Shunwei Captial Partners, a Chinese VC firm established by Xiaomi founder Lei Jun (pictured), has closed its fourth US dollar-denominated VC fund at $1.21 billion. The firm’s assets under management (AUM) now stand at $3.3 billion across four US dollar...
Hong Kong plans crypto fund restrictions
Hong Kong's Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) has announced plans to impose new crypto investment rules, including licensing conditions for funds that back virtual assets.
Deal focus: XtalPi takes big pharma into the cloud
China and US-based XtalPi has raised $61 million this year from investors impressed its use of quantum physics, computational chemistry, and artificial intelligence to bring greater certainty to drug development
INCJ leads $50m round for Singapore's Astroscale
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a $50 million Series D round for Astroscale, a Singaporean space technology company focused on orbital debris removal.
Alliance Ventures backs China's WeRide
Alliance Ventures, an automotive-focused venture capital unit set up by Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors, has invested in Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company WeRide.
Affinity, BRV seal Shinsegae e-commerce deal
Affinity Equity Partners and BRV Capital Management have finalized an agreement with Shinsegae that will see them invest a combined KRW1 trillion ($878 million) in the South Korean retail group’s e-commerce business.
KKR invests $144m in Southeast Asia's PropertyGuru
KKR has committed S$200 million ($144 million) in Series D funding to PropertyGuru, a Singapore-based online property portal that has several existing private equity investors.
SE Asia-focused Chinese fintech player gets $70m Series C
Akulaku, a Chinese consumer finance platform that primarily serves customers in Southeast Asia, has raised $70 million in a Series C round led by fintech company Finup Group. Sequoia Capital India, Blue Sky Venture Capital, and Qiming Venture Partners...
CDH-backed Certusnet files for HK IPO
Certusnet, a China-based developer of telecommunication software backed by CDH Investments, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Funds: GGV continues fund size scale-up
Applying technology to traditional industries is likely to feature prominently in GGV Capital's latest China-US fund, which has closed at $1.88 billion
Asia corporate VC: Company towns
Acceleration of development in the technology space is giving rise to a new generation of corporate VC investors. Building an identity separate from their parents is crucial to the success of these emerging firms
Booking invests $200m in Southeast Asia's Grab
Booking Holdings, which operates multiple online travel sites, has invested $200 million in Southeast Asia ride-hailing app Grab as part of a strategic partnership.
China auto retail player Huasheng Haoche raises $210m
Chinese auto retailer Huasheng Haoche has raised $210 million in a Series B round of funding led by Crescent Point Group, with participation from Goldman Sachs. JD Finance and Frees Fund, which backed the company’s seed and Series A rounds, also re-upped....
China Life backs AI drug development platform XtalPi
A healthcare fund managed by China Life Insurance has led a $46 million extended Series B investment in XtalPi, a US-based artificial intelligence-enabled healthcare services platform established by Chinese scientists.
Deal focus: Meltin plans next stage in human evolution
Japanese bio-robotics start-up Meltin has received a $17.7 million Series B round from a group of investors including SBI Investment with a view to revolutionizing human-machine interfaces
Nio Capital, Eight Roads lead Series A for Innovusion
Innovusion, a US-based developer of Lidar technology for autonomous vehicles, has raised a $30 million Series A round led by Eight Roads Ventures China and Nio Capital, a unit of Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio.
Chinese smart city player Terminus raises $173m Series B
Terminus Technologies, China’s largest city-level mobile internet platform, has raised RMB1.2 billion ($173 million) in an extended Series B round led by China Everbright and IDG Capital. Local artificial intelligence (AI) technology developer SenseTime...
China car group buying platform Tuanche files for US IPO
Tuanche, a Chinese online auto services platform that specializes in group buying, has filed for an IPO in the US. Its backers include K2 Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, and Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI).
Composite Capital leads $50m round for India's ClearTax
Hong Kong-based hedge fund Composite Capital has led a $50 million funding round for Indian online financial services provider ClearTax.
Philippines start-ups: Cultural baggage
The Philippines is said to be at a tipping point where growing investor interest is set to culminate in the country’s first global start-up success story. A subtle malaise, however, is offsetting expectations
Zebra Capital closes second China fund
Zebra Global Capital, a Chinese GP established by Qunar co-founder Chenchao Zhuang (pictured), has reached a final close on its second fund. The firm said its total assets under management are now around $2 billion, without disclosing the size of the...
Deal focus: Linklogis embraces supply chain finance 2.0
GIC Private leads $220 million investment in Linklogis, a financial technology player aiming to fill China's supply chain finance gap
Yunfeng leads $50m Series C for China's Yunxuetang
Yunxuetang, a Chinese employee training platform has raised $50 million in a Series C round led by Yunfeng Capital.