Technology
Alibaba, Beyond lead $40m round for Hong Kong's Prenetics
Beyond Ventures and Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group have led a $40 million funding round for Hong Kong-based genetic testing and wellness start-up Prenetics.
Deal focus: All-Stars backs Tujia’s consolidation agenda
Tujia's access to property supply and consumer traffic channels in China give an edge that other market entrants struggle to replicate. This gave All-Stars Investment the confidence to co-lead a $300 million round
Southeast Asia VC: Growth impediment?
Southeast Asia has an abundance of local players targeting early-stage deals while foreign investors fly in to participate in the later stage rounds. The industry is looking for ways to fill the hole in the middle
China's VC-backed PPDai files for US IPO
PPDai, a consumer finance marketplace backed by several VC investors, has become the latest Chinese company to try and take advantage of soaring public markets by filing for an IPO in the US.
Cathay, GGV back China’s Momenta
Cathay Innovation, a VC affiliate of Cathay Capital Private Equity, has led an extended Series B round for Momenta, a Chinese start-up that develops road sensors and mapping software for self-driving cars, with participation from GGV Capital.
Square Peg leads $13m round for Singapore's Chope
Australia’s Square Peg Capital has led a S$18 million ($13.3 million) funding round for Singapore-based restaurant app operator Chope.
ADK management offers support to Bain buyout bid
Japan-based advertising agency Asatsu-DK (ADK) has expressed its support for Bain Capital Private Equity’s proposed JPY151 billion ($1.3 billion) buyout, against opposition from its largest shareholder, WPP Group.
US-based VC to invest $20m in Pakistan technology fund
US-based 1839 Ventures has agreed to invest $20 million in a fund launched by the Pakistan government that will invest in domestic technology start-ups.
Amicus invests $9.3m in India's RenewBuy
Amicus Capital Partners has made its maiden investment, committing INR600 million ($9.3 million) to Indian online insurance aggregator RenewBuy.
Hillhouse leads $46m round for China O2O fitness platform
Lefit, a China-based online-to-offline (O2O) fitness platform, has raised a RMB300 million ($46 million) Series C round of funding led by Hillhouse Capital.
Wavemaker closes second SE Asia VC fund at $66m
US and Singapore-based venture capital investor Wavemaker Partners has raised $66 million for its second Southeast Asia-focused fund. The target was $50 million.
True North, IDG in $77m round for India's Policybazaar
Indian online financial services portal Policybazaar has raised INR5 billion ($77 million) from a group of investors led by True North, IDG Venture Partners, and US-based Wellington Management.
Philippines fintech growth to include blockchain – AVCJ Forum
The Philippines is likely to follow the lead of other Asian markets by more closely regulating blockchain-based financial transactions as the technology becomes more integral to the country’s economy.
Hong Kong AI fintech start-up MioTech gets $7m Series A
Horizons Ventures, a private investment arm of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, has led a $7 million Series A round of funding for MioTech, a Hong Kong-based start-up that develops artificial intelligence (AI) software for the financial services sector.
CPPIB commits $500m to Singapore-based ADCF
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has committed up to $500 million to Alpha Data Centre Fund (ADCF), a data center-focused PE fund managed by Singapore conglomerate Keppel Group.
Ola confirms Tencent investment, targets $2b round
China's Tencent Holdings has led a $1.1 billion investment in Indian ride-hailing app developer Ola. The company is in talks with other investors to raise a further $1 billion as an extension of this funding round.
Tech M&A: Tactical forays
A new generation of Chinese technology companies – conscious of the need to stay competitive – are becoming more active M&A players as they choose to buy rather than build their way into multiple verticals
Temasek co-leads $78.2m round for China’s Tongdun
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has jointly led a $78.2 million Series C round for Tongdun Technology, a China-based third-party risk control services provider, in conjunction with Cinda Sinorock and Tiantu Capital.
China electronics recycling platform raises $46m
Huishoubao, a Chinese online recycling platform for electronic devices, has raised a RMB300 million ($46 million) Series B round led by Asia-focused private equity firm Strait Capital Investment Group.
Hong Kong's Lalamove raises $100m Series C
Hong Kong-based delivery start-up Lalamove - also known as Huolala in mainland China - has completed a $100 million Series C round of funding led by Chinese VC firm Shunwei Capital.
All-Stars, Ctrip lead $300m round for China’s Tujia
Existing investors All-Stars Investment and Ctrip have jointly led a $300 million Series E round of funding for China’s Tujia, valuing the online accommodation-booking platform at over $1.5 billion.
Vickers closes fifth VC fund at $230m
Vickers Ventures Partners has closed its fifth fund, which invests in China, Southeast Asia, India and the US, at $230 million – larger than the firm’s four previous vehicles put together.
Australia's Airtasker receives $25.7m Series C
Airtasker, an Australian peer-to-peer jobs and services marketplace operator, has raised a A$33 million ($25.7 million) funding round led by Skyfield Capital.
Singapore's Sea to raise up to $800m in US IPO
Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Sea aims to raise up to $800 million in its upcoming IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.