Technology
Hong Kong pledges to foster local start-up ecosystem
Hong Kong plans to increase funding to two local incubation programs – Cyberport and Hong Kong Science & Technology Park (HKSTP) – in the expectation they will play a leading role in the drive to turn the territory into an innovation hub.
Fund focus: Redpoint restates its local credentials
Redpoint China Ventures has raised $110 million for its debut renminbi-denominated fund, which is expected to offer greater flexibility in backing start-ups in the early stages
Chinese computer rental start-up gets $32m Series C
Source Code Capital has led a $32 million Series C round of funding for Edianzu, a Chinese start-up that rents out computers and other office equipment to corporate customers.
India's Fireside closes first fund at $52m
Fireside Ventures, an Indian VC firm set up by Helion Venture Partners co-founder Kanwaljit Singh (pictured), has closed its debut fund at INR3.4 billion ($52 million).
KKR creates China digital marketing platform
KKR has completed a platform investment in China’s digital marketing space, bringing together four local companies to provide a one-stop service covering everything from advertising to analytics.
VCs in $47m round for Chinese AI medical imaging firm
Beijing Infervision, a Chinese company that develops medical imaging technology empowered by artificial intelligence (AI), has raised RMB300 million ($47 million) in funding from investors including Xianghe Capital.
SBI backs Japan autonomous driving start-up Ascent
SBI Investment has made the first investment from its artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology fund, leading a JPY1.1 billion ($10.3 million) round for Japan’s Ascent Robotics.
Insight leads $18m round for India's Chargebee
Insight Venture Partners has led an $18 million Series C funding round for US and India-based financial technology company Chargebee.
Deal focus: Qutoutiao finds its own news angle
With a market focus and a user acquisition mechanism that differentiate it from other Chinese news and video apps, Qutoutiao impressed Tencent Holdings enough to secure a $200 million Series B round
Temasek leads $250m round for China's Sunny Education
Sunny Education, a China-based K-12 online education platform which operates under the 17zuoye brand, has raised $250 million in a Series E round led by existing investor Temasek Holdings.
Alibaba invests $2b in Southeast Asia's Lazada
Alibaba Group will invest an additional $2 billion in PE-backed online retailer Lazada. It brings Alibaba’s total commitments to the Singapore-based company to $4 billion.
HKTDC launches start-up incubation program
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has launched an incubation program for start-ups in the territory.
Orchid leads $65m round for Chinese wedding platform
Hunliji, a China-based online wedding services provider, has raised $65 million in a Series C round of funding led by Orchid Asia Group.
China's CIC sets up $184m cross-border tech fund with Ireland
China Investment Corporation (CIC) has teamed up with state-controlled Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) to launch a EUR150 million ($184 million) cross-border technology fund.
Tencent leads $200m round for China's Qutoutiao
Tencent Holdings has led a Series B round worth more than $200 million for Qutoutiao, a Chinese mobile news reading app. The round gives the company a post-money valuation of $1.6 billion.
CLSA buys Japanese online appliance business
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired Moa Group, a Japanese online retailer primarily focused on household appliances.
Chinese tech firms target overseas expansion – AVCJ Forum
More Chinese technology companies have developed capabilities to expand overseas with a view to acquiring new customers that can support growth and strengthen their leading positions at home, industry participants told in AVCJ China Forum.
China leads the world in internet technology - AVCJ Forum
Mobile payment represents a “big inflection point between China and the rest of the world,” underlining how the country has become a leader in technology, according to Victor Koo, founder of video streaming platform Youku.
Capital Square-owned Aegis to merge with US-based Startek
Indian business process outsourcing (BPO) service provider Aegis, which was acquired by Capital Square Partners last year, has agreed to merge with US-based counterpart Startek. The deal will give Capital Square control of the combined company.
Deal focus: Electrify's energy vision switches on VCs
Asian VCs lead a $30 million initial coin offering for Singapore-based blockchain-enabled power marketplace Electrify
Investors advise caution in face of crazy valuations - AVCJ Forum
The current climate of “crazy valuations” globally – and particularly in China’s internet space – cannot be sustained indefinitely and prudent investors should ensure portfolio companies are well capitalized in anticipation of a downturn, the AVCJ China...
Australia invests $12m in domestic agtech ecosystem
The state government of Victoria in Australia has confirmed a plan to invest A$15 million ($12 million) in the local agricultural technology sector.
Deal focus: Shunwei backs scalable home design model
Kujiale raises $100 million in Series D funding to grow its China-focused online home design tool
China's PE-backed Ucommune acquires domestic rival
Chinese PE-backed co-working space provider Ucommune, formerly known as UrWork, has acquired domestic industry peer Woo Space.