Technology
US-based Wonder Workshop raises $20m for China push
Wonder Workshop, the children's robotics manufacturer that recently agreed a distribution partnership with Chinese online retailer JD.com, has raised a $20 million Series B round to support further expansion in China.
Eight Roads leads $15m round for Japan payments provider
Eight Roads Ventures has led a $15 million Series B round of funding for Paidy, a cardless payment and instant credit service offered by Japanese financial technology platform Exchange Corporation.
Japan analytics platform Abeja gets $5m
Japanese corporate analytics platform Abeja has raised a JPY530 million ($5 million) Series B round from Innovation Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Archetype Ventures.
INCJ leads $16m investment in Japan's Atonarp
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a $16 million funding round for Tokyo-based chemical sensor developer Atonarp.
Deal Focus: IvyCap sees upside in India's online jewels
Bluestone's work to reshape India's jewelry industry and change customers' attitudes appeals to the domestic VC firm
Rocket Internet: The human wave
Rocket Internet has played a major role in developing Southeast Asia’s e-commerce sector, but industry players say the firm’s most lasting effect will likely be the large talent pool that it is creating in the region
India's Myntra to buy Rocket-backed Jabong
Myntra, the Indian fashion retailer backed by e-commerce giant Flipkart, has agreed to buy its main rival Jabong from Rocket Internet's Global Fashion Group (GFG).
Temasek leads $105m round for Sprinklr
Singapore’s Temasek Holdings has led a $105 million Series F round of funding in Sprinklr, a US-based social media company targeting growth in Asia Pacific.
India's Quikr buys VC-backed Hiree
Indian classifieds site Quikr has acquired Hiree, an online hiring platform focused on white collar jobs and backed by IDG Ventures.
China big data start-up gets $30m Series C
Yonghong Tech, a Chinese big data analytics software provider, has raised RMB200 million ($30 million) in Series C funding from Tencent Holdings’ VC unit, Yuansheng Capital, Oriental Fortune Capital, and Matrix Partners.
Accel, Helion in funding round for India's Qwikcilver
Indian gift card technology provider Qwikcilver has raised a new round of funding with participation from existing investors Accel India and Helion Venture Partners.
Siam Commercial Bank unveils fintech strategy
Thailand's Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has formally announced a financial technology investment strategy aimed at improving customer experience while encouraging domestic start-ups to keep up with changes in the global market.
Bertelsmann leads $17m Series B for India's Treebo
Bertelsmann India Investments has led a INR1.12 billion ($17 million) Series B round of funding for Indian budget hotel chain Treebo.
Rocket, Kinnevik commit $33m to fashion portal
Rocket Internet and Sweden's AB Kinnevik have committed another EUR30 million ($33 million) to emerging markets-focused online fashion portal Global Fashion Group (GFG).
IFC to invest $15m in India-based Byju’s
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a $15 million investment in Indian education start-up Byju’s.
China VCs back $25m round for Austrian entertainment group
China Growth Capital has led a $10 million Series B-plus round of funding for Austria-based media company Juzi Entertainment. It brings the Series B to $25 million overall.
Hong Kong’s Quantifeed gets $4.5m Series A round
China’s PGA Venture Partners has led a $4.5 million Series A round of funding for Hong Kong-based financial services software provider Quantifeed.
SBI leads $17.5m investment in Thailand’s Omise
Japan’s SBI Investment has led a $17.5 million Series B funding round for Thailand-based online payment services provider Omise.
Vickers Venture Partners raises $63m
Singapore’s Vickers Venture Partners has reached an S$86 million ($63.3 million) first close for its fifth fund, which is targeting early and expansion stage Asian companies.
500 Startups raises $8.3m for enlarged Thai fund
US-based 500 Startups has received $8.3 million in LP commitments for its Thailand-focused early-stage fund 500 TukTuks after expanding its targeted scope on the back of increased investor interest.
Protean Electric gets $70m round led by GSR, targets China expansion
GSR Ventures has participated in a $70 million financing round for Protean Electric, a US automobile equipment developer with an expanding operations base in China.
Chinese consortium agrees scaled back Opera deal
A PE-backed Chinese consortium has agreed a $600 million acquisition of the web browser business of Norway’s Opera Software after a full takeover bid worth $1.2 billion failed to attain government approval.
Southeast Asia’s aCommerce raises further $10m
Southeast Asia-focused e-commerce solutions provider aCommerce has raised $10 million in new funding ahead of a planned Series B round. The latest commitment is led by MDI Ventures, a corporate VC fund run by Indonesian mobile operator Telkom.
China Resources fund unit backs Meituan-Dianping
CRE Alliance Management, a consumer-focused fund established by state-owned conglomerate China Resources, has invested an undisclosed sum in Meituan-Dianping, China’s leading online-to-offline (O2O) services platform.