Technology
China’s Renren leads $22m round for US job search platform
China’s social networking platform Renren has led a $22 million Series B round of funding for Shiftgig, a US mobile marketplace for short-term jobs.
Global Brain, Dentsu, Mitsui in $6.1m round for Japan's Kabuku
Japan-based Kabuku, manager of 3-D printing service Rinkak, has closed a JPY750 million ($6.1 million) Series A round with participation by Global Brain, Dentsu Digital Holdings and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital.
NXP Semiconductors sells power assets to China’s JAC Capital
NXP Semiconductors, a Dutch chip manufacturer listed in the US, has agreed to sell its entire radio frequency (RF) power business to Chinese state-owned private equity firm Jianguang Asset Management (JAC Capital).
Mitsui commits $52m to India's Naaptol
Mitsui & Co. Global Investment, the VC arm of Japanese conglomerate Mitsui, has invested another INR3.4 billion ($52 million) in Indian TV shopping and e-commerce platform Naaptol.
Lufax, China private funds to launch online products
Shanghai Lujiazui International Financial Asset Exchange (Lufax), a Chinese online financial platform controlled by Ping An Insurance Group, has signed agreements with 30 domestic private investment fund managers that will see their products distributed...
India IT services: The digital divide
India’s IT services providers firms have moved beyond their humble beginnings to encompass a wide range of outsourced functions. Private equity backers will continue to be key to their evolution
India tech M&A: Treading water
India’s internet giants are becoming more acquisitive, but they still play a minor role in VC firms’ planning. To raise their influence these companies first need to stabilize their own operations
HNA invests $500m in PE-backed China tour operator Tuniu
China’s HNA Tourism Group has agreed to invest $500 million for a 24.1% stake in Tuniu, a US-listed Chinese online package tour provider that has several PE and VC investors.
State-backed China fund buys stake in ZTE unit
China National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund (IC Fund), a national fund established to promote the domestic semiconductor industry, has agreed to pay RMB2.4 billion ($376 million) for a 24% stake in a unit of domestic electronics manufacturer...
Venturra leads $4m round for Malaysia's Kaodim
Venturra Capital, a Southeast Asia-focused VC fund sponsored by the Lippo Group, has led a $4 million Series A round for Malaysian local services marketplace Kaodim.
Ping An Ventures leads $200m round for China’s Mogujie
Ping An Ventures, a VC arm under Ping An Insurance, has led a Series D round worth $200 million for Mogujie.com, a Chinese social networking and shopping platform.
China B2B travel site raises $78m Series B round
Lvyouquan.cn, a Chinese business-to-business (B2B) online travel platform, has raised RMB500 million ($78 million) in a Series B round of funding from a group of domestic investors.
NEA, Accel commit $12.5m to India's MindTickle
Accel Partners and New Enterprise Associates (NEA) have invested $12.5 million in a Series A round of funding for Indian business training and networking platform MindTickle.
Bain makes part-exit as Japan's Bellsystem24 goes public
Bain Capital has made a partial exit from Bellsystem24 as the Japan-based call center business raised JPY48.1 billion ($391 million) through an IPO. The company plans to broaden its service offering and expand into Southeast Asia.
Alibaba picks Gobi, CDIB to run HK, Taiwan entrepreneur funds
Alibaba Group has officially launched its entrepreneur funds - worth a collective $450 million - in Hong Kong and Taiwan, picking Gobi Partners and China Development Industrial Bank (CDIB) to manage the vehicles in those respective markets.
Shenzhen Qianhe leads $47m round for China education platform
Shenzhen Qianhe Capital, an investment firm set up by former leading Chinese mutual fund manager Yawei Wang, has led a RMB300 million ($47 million) Series B round for education group Uniquedu.
Bessemer leads $25m round for India's UrbanClap
Bessemer Venture Partners has led a $25 million Series B funding round for Indian local services marketplace UrbanClap.
Kalaari commits $4m to India's ScoopWhoop
Kalaari Capital has invested $4 million in Indian internet news and media outlet and production company ScoopWhoop.
Ameba Capital closes second China VC fund at $157m
Ameba Capital, an early-stage VC firm co-founded by former executives from Alibaba Group and Kingsoft, has closed its second renminbi-denominated fund at RMB1 billion ($157 million).
Chinese online education platform TutorGroup raises $200m
TutorGroup, a Chinese online education platform, has raised $200 million in a Series C round of funding from new investors including GIC Private and the Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF).
Taiwan’s CDIB Capital launches cross-strait VC fund
CDIB Capital, the PE arm of Taiwan’s China Development Financial (CDF), is raising a later-stage venture fund to focus on cross-strait expansion.
CHAMP's Ferris to lead Innovation Australia
Bill Ferris, co-chairman and co-founding partner of CHAMP Private Equity, has been appointed chairman of Innovation Australia, an independent, government-established body with a mandate that includes supporting start-ups and venture capital.
China cinema ticket sales app Wepiao raises $234m
Wepiao, a Chinese mobile app specializing in movie ticket sales, has completed a Series C round of funding worth RMB1.5 billion ($234 million) led by the government-backed Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film & Television Fund.
India's Ola receives $500m Series F round
India ride-hailing service Ola has completed a Series F round of funding, raising $500 million at a reported valuation of around $5 billion.