Technology
Productivity, innovation critical to a changing China - AVCJ Forum
China is adjusting to a slower growth model driven by consumption rather than investment, but significant gains can still be made through productivity and innovation, industry participants told the AVCJ China Forum.
Euronet challenges Alibaba's acquisition of PE-backed MoneyGram
US payment services company Euronet Worldwide has extended a buyout offer worth about $2 billion for NASDAQ-listed MoneyGram, contesting a bid made earlier this year by Alibaba Group’s PE-backed affiliate Ant Financial. The pending sale will provide...
VC value-add: Personal touch
Chinese VC firms are expected to offer value-added services as a way of differentiating themselves from the competition. Are formalized concierge services for founders and their families a step too far?
PE and smart manufacturing: Intelligent designs
The emergence of internet-connected manufacturing has created a new investment area that will impact adjacent sectors and even entire economies for decades to come. PE is among the early movers
Qualcomm, Accel back India-China IoT player Borqs
Qualcomm Ventures and Accel Partners India have co-led a new round of funding worth $10 million for Borqs, an India-China venture that develops internet-of-things (IoT) devices.
Legend leads $36m round for China truck logistics platform
Legend Capital has led a RMB250 million ($36 million) Series C round for Fuyoukache, a Beijing-based online truck logistics platform.
Goodwater leads $48m investment in Korea's Viva Republica
US-based venture capital firm Goodwater Capital has led a KRW55 billion ($48 million) Series C funding round for South Korean financial technology company Viva Republica.
Business cycles: China bike-sharing start-ups
Mobike and Ofo are engaged in a battle of private equity-fueled one-upmanship as they strive for supremacy in China's bike-sharing space. Will they die off, merge or become differentiated (and profitable)?
IDG-led consortium completes buyout of Osram unit
A Chinese consortium led by IDG Capital has completed the purchase of Ledvance, the lamps business of German lighting manufacturer Osram, for approximately EUR500 million ($527 million).
Matrix leads $15m Series C for China’s Easemob
Matrix Partners China has led a RMB103 million ($15 million) Series C round of funding for Easemob, a Chinese start-up that provides instant-messaging services to mobile app developers.
VC-backed Fave buys Groupon Singapore
Malaysian VC-backed online-to-offline (O2O) e-commerce company Fave has agreed to acquire Groupon Singapore, extending a string of related bolt-ons in Southeast Asia.
Japanese accelerator launches $17.5m hardware fund
Darma Tech Labs, operator of Japanese hardware-focused accelerator Makers Boot Camp, plans to launch a JPY2 billion ($17.5 million) venture capital fund, with Kyoto Bank serving as the anchor LP.
Australia's Uniseed secures $15m for VC fund
Uniseed, a venture fund manager associated with the Australian government’s CSIRO research unit and a number of domestic universities, has secured A$20 million ($15.2 million) in fresh commitments for a new follow-on fund.
Q&A: GGV Capital's Jenny Lee
Jenny Lee, managing partner at Sino-US VC firm GGV Capital, discusses supporting start-ups from early through later-stage rounds, and why technology players increasingly need to think internationally
China cloud computing: Billowing forth
China’s nascent cloud computing industry appears set to replicate a US-style growth trajectory. Venture investment, however, may play a larger role due to a range of cultural and economic differences
China VC spin-outs: Daddy issues
Several managers in the latest generation of China VC spin-outs retain close ties to their former corporate parents. These relationships can deliver great deal flow, but also governance headaches
Ping An leads Series C for Singapore’s Bigo Live
Bigo Live, a Singapore-based social video streaming app, has raised a Series C round of funding from a Hong Kong-based investment arm of Ping An Insurance Group.
Reliance Capital exits Paytm stake to Alibaba for $41m
Reliance Capital has exited part of its stake in Indian e-commerce and mobile payments start-up Paytm to China's Alibaba Group for INR2.8 billion ($41.3 million).
EDBI, Philips launch Singapore health tech investment platform
Singapore’s EDBI and Philips have formally launched an Asia-focused investment platform that targets companies in digital healthcare services.
Chengwei leads Series B round for China messaging service provider
Chengwei Capital has led a Series B round of funding for Xin Xi Bao, a Chinese text messaging software developer.
IDG, Axilor launch India early-stage fund
IDG Ventures India has partnered with Axilor Ventures for a program that will discover and fund disruptive technology start-ups in the country.
VIDEO: Milton Chou, GE Ventures
Milton Chou, China growth leader and senior director at GE Ventures, discusses the role of a captive VC firm
CLSA invests in China’s Azoya
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has invested in Chinese cross-border e-commerce solutions provider Azoya.
Quona, Accion close $141m global fintech fund
Quona Capital and emerging markets microfinance group Accion International have closed a $141 million global venture fund dedicated to financial technology. It will focus in part on India and Southeast Asia.