Technology
SoftBank achieves $93b first close on global tech fund
SoftBank Group Corp. has reached a first close of more than $93 billion on its global technology investment fund. A final close of $100 billion is expected within six months.
Jungle leads $5.3m Series A for India's PaySense
Jungle Ventures has led a $5.3 million Series A round for Indian online credit platform PaySense.
SoftBank invests in India's Paytm
SoftBank Group has invested in One97 Communications, the parent company of Indian online payments and e-commerce platform Paytm.
Arbor targets $220m for second VC fund, IFC set to invest
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of $15 million in Hong Kong-based Arbor Ventures’ second VC fund, which has an initial target of $220 million.
Hellman & Friedman submits $2.1b offer for Australia's Fairfax
Hellman & Friedman has submitted a buyout offer for Australia’s Fairfax Media that values the business as high as A$2.9 billion ($2.1 billion).
Japanese digital marketing player receives $28m
From Scratch, a Japanese digital marketing platform, has raised approximately JPY3.2 billion ($28.4 million) in funding from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Rakuten Ventures, as well as several existing investors.
China aerospace player launches $22b tech fund
China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC) has launched a RMB150 billion ($22 billion) fund with a group of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to invest in new technologies.
Venture: Vietnam plus
Vietnam’s start-up ecosystem is gaining prominence as the diaspora community taps local tech talent to create businesses targeting global markets. Expect deal flow to increase substantially in coming years
Ping An leads $75m round for YY's gaming subsidiary Huya
China Ping An Insurance has led a $75 million Series A round for Huya, the live game broadcasting subsidiary of Chinese social networking platform YY.
VIG-owned Samyang targets up to $74m in Korea IPO
Samyang Optics, a Korea-based camera lens manufacturer owned by VIG Partners, is seeking to raise as much as KRW82.4 billion ($73.5 million) through a domestic IPO.
Cross-border e-commerce site Wish raises new round
Wish, a San Francisco-based cross-border e-commerce app backed by several Asian investors, has completed a Series F round led by Everbright-IDG Industrial Fund.
Yum China to acquire PE-backed delivery firm Daojia
Yum China Holdings, which operates KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in the country, has agreed to buy Daojia, a local online food-ordering platform backed by several private equity investors.
Hillhouse leads $55m round for China AI developer Yitu
Hillhouse Capital has led a RMB380 million ($55 million) Series C round of funding for Yitu Technology, a Shanghai-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology developer.
CDB Capital leads $42m round for China fintech firm Wacai
CDB Capital, the fund management arm of China Development Bank, has led a $42 million round for Wacai, a Chinese finance management mobile app developer.
SoftBank confirms $5b investment in Didi's $5.5b round
SoftBank Group contributed $5 billion of the $5.5 billion funding round announced at the end of last month by China-based ride-hailing app operator Didi Chuxing – almost certainly the largest single investment in a Chinese internet company.
TPG, OTPP return with full buyout offer for Australia's Fairfax
TPG Capital and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTTP) have revised their bid for Australia’s Fairfax Media to a full buyout that values the business at approximately A$2.75 billion ($2 billion).
IDG, DHFL invest $4m in India's EarlySalary
Indian financial technology platform EarlySalary has raised a $4 million funding round from IDG Ventures and Dewan Housing Finance (DHFL).
China retail: Engagement factors
Hillhouse Capital's efforts in using technology to support Kidswant may offer pointers regarding its plans for buyout target Belle International. But is it enough to turnaround the fortunes of one of China's largest retailers?
Qiming leads $17m round for China data storage software developer
Qiming Venture Partners has led a RMB120 million ($17 million) Series B round for XSKY Beijing Data Technology Corporation, a China-based data storage software services provider.
Maison leads round for Sino-Indonesia e-commerce site
China-focused GP Maison Capital has led a RMB150 million ($22 million) Series B round of funding for Wook, a cross-border B2B e-commerce platform that focuses on China and Indonesia markets.
Deal focus: Huochebang brings order to trucking chaos
Huochebang has raised $270 million in the last five months with a view to using its sharing economy solution to make China's trucking industry more efficient and less fragmented
China flexible display developer Royole raises $58m
Royole Corporation, a China-based flexible display technology developer, has received RMB400 million ($58 million) in Series D funding from a domestic GP Beijing Zhongtai Chuanghui Equity Investment Fund.
SoftBank marks down India's Ola, Snapdeal by $1.4b
SoftBank has marked down the value of part of its investment portfolio, including holdings in India-based online marketplace Snapdeal and ride-hailing app Ola, bringing its total losses in the companies so far to JPY160 billion ($1.4 billion).
IFC set to back Stellaris' debut India VC fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering a $10 million commitment to the debut fund of Stellaris Venture Partners, a spin-out from Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners.