Technology
Rakuten launches $84m Japan venture fund
Rakuten Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has launched a JPY10 billion ($84 million) fund targeting start-ups in Japan.
China Merchants Bank to invest in Didi Kuaidi
China Merchants Bank (CMB) has agreed to invest in Chinese ride-hailing app Didi Kuaidi, and to create a strategic partnership with the company as well.
Jungle Ventures adds to management team
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures, which is currently raising its second fund, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new CFO, director of corporate development, and head of finance.
Singapore's Eyeota raises $7m Series A round
Global Brain, Infinity e.Ventures and Project A Ventures have committed $7 million in Series A funding to Singapore-based adtech company Eyeota.
Nissay commits $1.7m to Japan's Oneteam
Nissay Capital has invested $1.7 million in Series A funding in Japanese workplace chat app Oneteam.
CVC, Lippo postpone plan to exit Indonesia's Link Net
CVC Capital Partners and the Riady family's Lippo Group have suspended plans to sell their majority stake in Link Net, an Indonesian fixed-line broadband and cable TV operator.
Deal focus: Fintech start-up WeLab seeks scale
With $160 million in Series B funding, Hong Kong-based WeLab wants to upgrade its people and technology in order to build a China online lending platform of real scale
Deal focus: Investors see value in China auto disrepair
China Pacific Insurance leads a Series B round for Bochewang, a car-trading platform that transfers damaged vehicles from insurers to rebuilders
Late starter: Hong Kong boosts innovation support
Hong Kong is following in Singapore’s footsteps with the announcement of meaningful support for technology start-ups. Why is the government moving on the issue now, and what difference can it make?
China venture: After the boom
Venture capital investors are set for a less frenetic year in China, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing for early-stage players
Indonesia's Kejora adds partner, targets $100m fund
Indonesian venture capital firm Kejora Group has hired Eri Reksoprodjo, formerly of Saratoga Capital, as a partner as it looks to raise up to $100 million for its first institutional fund.
China cloud storage firm Qiniu raises $100m
Qiniu, a Chinese cloud storage service provider, has received a $100 million Series D round from China Broadband Capital (CBC), Telstra Ventures and Chinese mutual fund provider Harvest Global Investments.
Qiming closes fifth China VC fund at $648m – update
Qiming Venture Partners has announced that it has closed its fifth US dollar-denominated China VC fund at $648 million.
CPIC leads $30m round for China restored car auction platform
China Pacific Insurance Corporation (CPIC) has led a RMB200 million ($30 million) Series B round for Bochewang.com, a Chinese online auction platform for restored cars.
Jungle, Blume in $7.2m round for India's SnapBizz
Jungle Ventures, Blume Ventures, Konly Venture and Taurus Value Creation have led a $7.2 million round for India-based retail technology developer SnapBizz.
IVP leads $30m Series C for India, US-based Qubole
Qubole, a big data firm based in India and the US, has raised a $30 million Series C round led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
Go Scale still committed to global deals, despite Lumileds setback
Go Scale Capital will continue to target international acquisitions, including in the US, despite the termination of a deal for Philips’ LED components and automotive lighting unit due to regulatory concerns.
Apis invests in India's EPS
Apis Partners has invested $25 million in Indian payments service provider Electronic Payments and Services (EPS).
China's Innovation Works seeks $250m for Fund III
China-based early-stage investor Innovation Works, which was founded by former Google China head Kai-Fu Lee, is looking to raise $250 million for its third fund.
CITIC Capital leads round for China VR headset maker
CITIC Capital has led a RMB230 million ($35 million) round of funding for Baofeng Mojing, or Baofeng Magic Mirror, a Chinese virtual reality (VR) headset manufacturer.
SoftBank commits $14.7m to India's Housing.com
SoftBank has invested INR1 billion ($14.7 million) in Indian property listing platform Housing.com.
SAIF principals to form India early-stage fund
Two principals at SAIF Partners, Mukul Singhal and Rohit Jain, have left the company to start an early-stage venture capital fund of their own.
Spin-out of PE-backed SouFun set for China reverse merger
SouFun Holdings, a US-listed Chinese online real estate portal backed by the Carlyle Group and IDG Capital Partners, plans to spin out its online media and finance service units into a domestic backdoor listing.
NZVIF, Taiwan's NDF to anchor another VC fund
New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF) and Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) will each commit $7.5 million to a cross-border technology-focused fund.