Technology
Chinese internet giants invest $550m in Bitauto unit
Tencent Holdings, Baidu and JD.com have invested $550 million in China-based auto financing platform Yintai Capital. The business was launched by Bitauto, which previously received funding from the three internet companies as well as from PAG Capital.
KKR, Warburg Pincus join $550m round for Indonesia's Go-Jek
Indonesian mobile ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek has received $550 million from investors including KKR, Warburg Pincus, Farallon Capital and Capital Group Private Markets.
Sequoia leads $7.5m investment in Singapore crowdfunding platform
Sequoia Capital India has led a $7.5 million Series A round for Singapore-based crowdfunding platform Funding Societies.
Fidelity, DBJ lead $20m round for Japan's Raksul
Fidelity Investments and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) have led a JPY2.1 billion ($20.3 million) round of funding for Japanese online printing start-up Raksul.
Australian government launches $191m biomedical VC fund
The Australian government has seeded $250 million ($191 million) from its Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to a biomedical technology-focused venture investment vehicle. It will match private sector commitments, bringing the total available for deployment...
China’s Yunfeng leads $100m round for English tuition site
Yunfeng Capital has led a $100 million Series C round of funding for VIPKID, an English-language learning platform that connects North American teachers with students in China. Existing investor Sequoia Capital also took part.
PICC leads $64m round for China's Neusoft Xikang
PICC Property and Casualty, a subsidiary of People's Insurance Company of China (PICC), has led a $64 million funding round for cloud-based medical and healthcare services provider Neusoft Xikang.
China's HNA supports US accelerator's global expansion
Chinese conglomerate HNA Group has agreed to invest $336 million to bankroll US start-up accelerator RocketSpace's global expansion, with a particular emphasis on China.
Shenzhen Fortune commits $15m to insurance platform
Shenzhen Fortune Venture Capital has committed RMB100 million ($15 million) in an extended Series B round of funding for Huize.com, a Chinese third-party insurance services platform.
SE Asia tech IPOs: Loosening up
The Singapore Exchange has found limited success in attracting regional tech IPOs. Investors say it needs greater flexibility and understanding to grab a piece of the market
Deal focus: VCs back Japan’s fintech underdog
As Japan's traditional financial institutions take time to address demand for online payment services, start-ups are trying to corner the market. Exchange Corporation's Series B round is intended to make sure it is one of them
Ex-SBCVC partner Joe Chang joins Eight Roads China team
Eight Roads Ventures has appointed former SBCVC investment partner Joe Chang as a partner on its China team.
HTC VR accelerator adds 8 VC funds, backs 33 companies
Vive X, the accelerator program for virtual reality (VR) start-ups backed by Taiwan-based hardware developer HTC, has added eight VC funds to its backers, and announced the first 33 companies to receive its support.
New Zealand's Powerhouse Ventures files for $15m IPO
New Zealand-based start-up incubator and investor Powerhouse Ventures has filed to raise as much as A$20 million ($15.2 million) through an Australian IPO.
CMC invests in China sports data provider Cubee
CMC Holdings, an investment platform launched by Ruigang Li, founder of media-focused PE firm CMC Capital Partners, has invested in a Series B round of funding for Cubee.com, a Chinese online sports data and content provider.
Foreign internet players in China: After Uber
Uber's experience in China suggests that foreign internet companies should be careful when picking their battles and wherever possible emphasize the international angle
Ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing to acquire Uber China
Didi Chuxing, the leading ride-hailing app operator in China, has announced that it will acquire Uber's local operation, ending a costly battle between the two unprofitable businesses. Both companies have received substantial private equity and strategic...
Marubeni-owned iSigma buys Japan's Kyosemi
ISigma, a mid-size buyout firm controlled by Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni, has acquired domestic semiconductor equipment manufacturer Kyosemi Corporation.
Sequoia leads $12m round for India's Healthkart
Sequoia Capital India has led an INR800 million ($12 million) Series E round of funding for Indian online health products vendor Healthkart.
Singapore's Carousell gets $35m Series B round
Rakuten Ventures, a corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has led a $35 million Series B round of funding for Singaporean online flea market shopping app operator Carousell.
Wanda to acquire PE-backed Chinese movie portal Mtime
China’s largest cinema group Wanda Cinema Line has agreed to assume full control of Mtime.com, a local online movie ticketing platform backed by several VC investors, in a deal worth $280 million.
PE-backed Chinese consortium buys Caesars games business for $4.4b
Yunfeng Capital, Hony Capital and CDH Investments' wealth management platform are part of a consortium that has agreed to buy Caesars Interactive Entertainment’s (CIE) social and mobile games business for $4.4 billion in cash.
Green House, WiL partner on $52m India fund
India's Green House Ventures (GHV) Accelerator will partner with Japan and US-based early-stage investor World Innovation Labs (WiL) to launch a INR3.5 billion ($52 million) fund for investments in Indian start-ups.
WiL leads $10.6m round for Japan's Retty
World Innovation Lab (WiL) has led a JPY1.1 billion ($10.6 million) investment in Japanese social media-oriented restaurant guide operator Retty.