Technology
Japan's Mercari set for $1.2b IPO
Japanese consumer-to-consumer marketplace Mercari – which has several VC backers – is set to raise JPY130.5 billion ($1.18 billion) in its domestic IPO after pricing the offering at the top end of the indicative range.
CapitalG leads $21.8m round for India's Aye Finance
CapitalG, the investment arm of Google's parent company Alphabet, has led a INR1.5 billion ($21.8 million) Series C round for Aye Finance, an Indian microfinance institution (MFI) focused on small businesses.
VIDEO: Baidu Capital's Jenny Wu
Jenny Wu, a managing partner at Baidu Capital, discusses growth stage investment in artificial intelligence
Beyond backs Hong Kong electric motor company
Hong Kong-based Beyond Ventures has joined a $10 million round for ePropulsion Innovation, a domestic technology developer focused on electric motors for recreational boating.
Pivotal China seeds Sino-US cancer drug developer
Pivotal BioVenture Partners China, an investment platform of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, has led a $16.5 million seed round for Sino-US cancer drug developer Oncologie.
China's Xiaomi set to lead the way on CDRs
Xiaomi, a private equity-backed Chinese smart phone maker that filed for a Hong Kong IPO last month, has become the first company to apply to issue Chinese Depository Receipts (CDRs).
China's Ant Financial closes $14b Series C round
Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s financial services affiliate, has raised $14 billion in Series C funding from investors including GIC Private, Warburg Pincus, The Carlyle Group, Silver Lake, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
Australia's Prospa delays trading after $112m IPO
Prospa, an Australian financial technology company backed by a number of local VCs, has raised A$146.5 million ($112 million) in a domestic IPO. Trading of the stock has been postponed, however, amid a regulatory review.
Chinese pre-IPO GP Cornerstone files for US IPO
Cornerstone Capital, a China-based PE firm that focuses on pre-IPO investments, has filed for an IPO on NASDAQ.
VIG nets 2.1x return on Korea price comparison site deal
VIG Partners has agreed to sell its controlling stake in Summerce Platform, operator of the Korean online price comparison website Enuri.com, to local e-commerce player Koreacenter for KRW105 billion ($97.8 million).
China's Chezhibao, Tiantian Paiche secure funding
Two Chinese online used car trading platforms – Chezhibao and Tiantian Paiche (TTP) – have received a combined $225 million in funding, continuing the flood of private capital into the space.
China fintech player Pintec gets $103m round
Hong Kong-based VC firm Mandra Capital and Sina Corporation have led a $103 million funding round for Chinese financial technology platform Pintec.
Tiger Global leads $70m round for China's Danke Apartment
Tiger Global Management has led a $70 million Series B-plus funding round for Chinese start-up Danke Apartment, operator of an online platform that connects landlords with long-term rental tenants.
Southeast Asia's Grab launches venture arm
Southeast Asia-focused ride-hailing app operator Grab has launched a venture capital unit aimed at developing and investing in emerging technology businesses across the region.
PE-backed Bigo raises $272m Series D
Chinese media platform operator YY has led a Series D round for Bigo Live, a Singapore-based video streaming company backed by Ping An Insurance, with a $272 million commitment.
Singapore's MyRepublic receives $60m capital injection
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) and Singapore family office Kamet Capital Partners have invested $60 million in Asia telecom player MyRepublic.
Portfolio: Cathay Capital and Shopal
Shopal’s cross-border marketing ambitions and Cathay Capital’s Sino-French investment history have proven to be a strong match for tackling the expanding Chinese high-end consumer market
ICOs: Normalizing the future
The application of virtual tokens as investment instruments is modernizing the venture capital industry. Stakeholders are discovering a range of pitfalls and possibilities during the transition
Apis targets $400m for emerging markets growth fund
Apis Partners is targeting $400 million for its second middle-market growth fund focused on financial services and technology investments in emerging markets, with a $500 million hard cap.
Ant Financial leads $321m round for China's Hellobike
Ant Financial, Alibaba Group’s financial services affiliate, has led a RMB2.1 billion ($321 million) investment in Youon Bike, the listed parent of China-based bike-sharing operator Hellobike.
VIDEO: China Creation Ventures' Wei Zhou
Wei Zhou, founder and managing partner of China Creation Ventures, discusses VC and technology trends
US, China-based Protean gets $40m Series E
Chinese automotive industry supplier Weifu High Technology Group has led a $40 million Series E round for Protean Electric, a US and China-based auto equipment developer backed by a number of VC investors.
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving N5 Capital, Matrix Partners China, JD.com, Fortune Capital, Juxiu Capital, Oriza Holdings, Ameba Capital, ZhenFund, Yunqi Partners, SIG, and Crystal Stream Capital
China's BaishanCloud gets $37m Series C-plus
Chinese data services company BaishanCloud has completed its sixth series of private equity funding, following the closure of a Series C-plus round worth RMB240 million ($37.4 million).