Technology
Southeast Asia dating app raises $32.5m round
Paktor, a Southeast Asia-focused mobile dating app, has received $32.5 million in new funding led by K2 Global – a venture capital firm that makes late-stage tech investments in Asia and the US – and Indonesia-based MNC Media Group.
Indonesia's Convergence Ventures closes $30m tech fund
Convergence Ventures, an early-stage VC firm based in Indonesia, has reached a final close of $30 million on its debut fund.
Sequoia leads $55m round for India, US-based Freshdesk
Sequoia Capital has led a $55 million Series F round of funding for India and US-based customer support platform provider Freshdesk.
Blockchain: Ethereal frontiers
As blockchain segments mature in Asia, private equity and venture capital investors will benefit from a range of new entry points. Pitfalls related to the technology’s obscure nature, however, will persist
China short-term rental site Xiaozhu raises $65m
Chinese short-term rental site Xiaozhu.com has collected a total of $65 million across two tranches from a group of China-focused VC investors.
Alibaba plans $1.5b entertainment investment fund
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group plans to step up its investments in digital media and entertainment businesses with the launch of RMB10 billion ($1.48 billion) investment fund.
Warburg Pincus, 21Vianet to create China data center platform
Warburg Pincus has agreed to partner US-listed Chinese internet services provider 21Vianet on a joint venture focused on developing and acquiring data centers in China.
Jungle leads $11m Series A for Thailand's Pomelo
Jungle Ventures has led an $11 million Series A round of funding for Thailand-based online fashion retailer Pomelo.
China smart home device maker Orvibo raises $16m
Orvibo, a Shenzhen-based smart home device maker, has secured a RMB110 million ($16 million) Series B round of funding led by A-share listed electronics manufacturer Topband.
Sequoia leads $6m round for India's KredX
Sequoia Capital India has led a $6.3 million Series A round for Indian online financing marketplace KredX.
Partners For Growth commits $15m to Yello Mobile's marketing unit
Yello Digital Marketing (YDM), the digital marketing unit of South Korean mobile internet company Yello Mobile, has received $15 million in funding from Partners For Growth (PFG), the PE arm of SVB Financial Group.
BlueRun closes $500m China early-stage VC fund
BlueRun Ventures has closed its latest China-focused fund - comprising US dollar and renminbi-denominated tranches - with more than $500 million in aggregate commitments.
China credit card management app U51 raises a further $84m
U51.com, a Chinese credit card management mobile app, has secured $84 million in an extended Series C round from Chinese asset manager Harvest Global Investments and department store operator Intime Retail Group.
IDG, Walden lead $65m round for US-China AI start-up
IDG Capital Partners and Walden International have led a $65 million Series B funding round for US and China-based artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company Rokid.
JD Finance leads $30m round for China's Microseer
JD Finance, the financial subsidiary of Chinese online retailer JD.com, has led a $30 million Series B round for Microseer, a Shanghai-based human resources and IT outsourcing services start-up.
China's Zhongji buys UK game developer from PE investors
Shanghai-listed Zhongji Investment Holding has won shareholder approval to acquire UK-based Jagex Games Studio, the VC-backed developer of online role-playing game "RuneScape," in a deal worth RMB1.63 billion ($240 million).
Intel Capital announces two China investments
Intel Capital, the captive VC arm of Intel Corp, is backing two Chinese data and connectivity start-ups as part of a $38 million investment package across 12 companies.
Mayfield, IIFL invest $7.5m in India's Box8
US early-stage investor Mayfield and IIFL Wealth Management have invested INR500 million ($7.5 million) of Series B funding in Indian quick service restaurant (QSR) chain and food delivery start-up Box8.
Walmart commits $50m to JD.com's delivery platform
US-based retailer Walmart has made a $50 million strategic investment in New Dada, a Chinese online grocery and delivery platform part-owned by JD.com.
New Horizon leads $37m Series B in China AR toy maker
Neobear, a China-based company that develops interactive learning tools for children, has raised a RMB250 million ($37 million) Series B round of funding led by Chinese GP New Horizon Capital.
US fintech raises $5m for Philippines, Southeast Asia push
Quona Capital has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for US-based financial technology start-up Coins. It will support an expansion in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on the Philippines.
India's Techcelx launches $15m tech fund
Indian technology investment firm and accelerator Techcelx has launched a INR1 billion ($15 million) venture fund targeting domestic companies in banking, education and healthcare.
Waterman invests in New Zealand-based My Food Bag
Waterman Capital has invested in New Zealand-based food delivery platform My Food Bag (MFB).
SBCVC-backed GDS targets $269.5m in US IPO
VC-backed Chinese data center provider GDS Holdings is seeking to raise up to $269.5 million in its NASDAQ IPO. The proceeds could reach $309.9 million if the overallotment option is fully exercised.