Technology
Singapore's ViSenze raises $10.5m Series B
ViSenze, an e-commerce-focused artificial intelligence (AI) company based in Singapore, India and the US, has completed a $10.5 million Series B funding round led by Rakuten Ventures, WI Harper and Enspire Capital.
MLS, 1955 Capital back US agrochemicals specialist
Crop Enhancement, a US-based company that develops sustainable agrochemicals, has received an $8.5 million Series B round led by the Asia and Americas-focused MLS Capital Fund II and 1955 Capital, a cross-border PE firm set by former Khosla Ventures partner...
India's VC-backed Citrus Pay sold to Netherlands strategic
Citrus Pay, an India-based online and mobile payment solutions developer backed by Sequoia Capital, Ascent Capital and Beenos, has been acquired by Netherlands-based rival PayU.
Blackbird, Felicis invest $15m in Australia's Canva
Canva, an Australian online design platform, has raised a $15 million round of funding led by existing investors Felicis Ventures and Blackbird Ventures.
Deal focus: InnoVen targets India-Southeast Asia angle
Having gained traction with its venture debt proposition in India, Innoven Capital is now following those same portfolio companies as they expand into Southeast Asia
Taiwan regulation: Forward views, sideways moves
The Taiwan government is attempting to reconcile its conservative tendencies with a need for innovation as the local venture capital industry marks mixed progress in filling an early-stage vacuum
Deal focus: HaloDoc targets healthcare access
A spin-out from domestic pharmaceutical players Mensa Group, Indonesian healthcare services app HaloDoc wants to make medication and doctor consultations more accessible to the masses
VC value-add: Operational gambit
As competition for VC deals intensifies in Asia and capital becomes commoditized, GPs are stressing their value-add credentials. Should we believe the hype?
Filipino rise demands a sharper focus – AVCJ Forum
Increased competition for private equity deals in the Philippines means investors must be more disciplined in their approach to transactions, according to industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum.
India's Quikr buys VC-backed StayGlad
Indian classifieds site Quikr has bought StayGlad, an online marketplace for beauty services backed by Bessemer Venture Partners.
China used car platform Guazi finalizes $250m Series A round
Guazi.com, a China-based consumer-to-consumer (C2C) used car trading platform, has completed its $250 million Series A round of funding, which includes $204.5 million the company raised six months ago.
Baidu launches $200m VC fund to invest in AR, VR
Chinese search engine Baidu has launched a $200 million venture fund that will focus on next-generation technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Australia's AirTree raises $188m VC fund
AirTree Ventures claims to have raised Australia's largest-ever venture capital fund, having closed its latest vehicle at A$250 million ($188 million)
China's Sinovation Ventures raises $674m across two funds
Chinese early-stage VC firm Sinovation Ventures, formerly Innovation Works, has closed its third US dollar-denominated fund and second renminbi fund, with more than $674 million in aggregate commitments.
Australian marketing platform raises $7.5m for US expansion
Simple, an online marketing platform based in Australia, has raised A$10 million ($7.5 million) to support its expansion in the US.
Indonesia healthcare services app gets $11m Series A
Clermont Group, a Singapore-based private investment firm led by billionaire Richard Chandler, has led a Series A round worth $11 million for Indonesian healthcare services app HaloDoc.
Innovation Works launches fund with China's Zall Group
China-based early-stage investor Innovation Works, which was founded by former Google China head Kai-Fu Lee, has teamed up with Hong Kong-listed real estate developer Zall Group to launch a private equity fund.
China logistics software start-up raises $25m Series B round
OTMS, a China-based logistics software developer, has raised a $25 million Series B round led by Weixing Chen, founder of local ride-hailing app operator Kuaidi Dache.
Australia's H2 Ventures taps public markets for fintech vehicle
Australia's H2 Ventures plans to raise up to A$55 million ($42 million) through an IPO for a dedicated unit that will make early and growth-stage investments in global financial technology start-ups.
Foxconn invests $120m in China's Didi Chuxing
Foxconn Technology Group has invested $119.9 million in China-based ride-hailing platform Didi Chuxing at a valuation of $33.7 billion.
Ex-JP Morgan China president joins local VC firm
Brett Krause, former president of J.P. Morgan Chase China, has joined PurpleSky Capital as managing partner with a view to helping the local early-stage VC firm launch a debut US dollar-denominated fund.
Sequoia, Zuckerberg lead $50m round for India's Byju's
Indian education start-up Byju’s has received a $50 million funding round led by Sequoia Capital and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), a vehicle established by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan.
Indian government commits $75m to domestic start-ups
The Indian government has made a fresh INR5 billion ($75 million) commitment to its Startup India campaign, which aims to drive bank financing for early-stage companies while offering workshop and incubator services.
India's InnoVen invests $6m in Capillary, Simplilearn
Indian venture debt firm InnoVen Capital has committed a total of $6 million in structured debt financing to cloud-based software provider Capillary Technologies and educational technology start-up Simplilearn.