Technology
Deal focus: Dianping-Meituan war reaches logical conclusion
Following the announced merger of Dianping and Meituan, further consolidation is expected in China's online-to-offline (O2O) services market
Fund focus: Venturra taps experience for SE Asia start-ups
Venturra Partners will draw on its founders' investment and entrepreneurial experience, plus a strategic connection to Lippo Group, as it helps Southeast Asian start-ups achieve scale
KKR, Alibaba, Ping An commit $300m to 58.com's O2O unit
KKR, Alibaba Group and Ping An Group have agreed to provide $300 million in Series A funding to 58 Daojia, the online-to-offline (O2O) local services platform of US-listed Chinese classifieds site 58.com.
Temasek, Silver Lake back Dell in $67b acquisition of EMC
Singapore's Temasek Holdings is supporting the $67 billion acquisition of data storage and cloud computing company EMC Corporation by US-based computer maker Dell. Other backers include Silver Lake and MSD Partners.
NLVC leads round for China-based English learning platform
Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) has led a $20 million Series B round of funding for VIPKID, a China-based English-language learning platform that targets primary and secondary school students.
3Q analysis: Digital dreamers
Early- and growth-stage technology deals dominate the China investment charts; middle market fundraising enjoys a rebound; private equity investors turn to trade sales as the public markets flounder
Vertex Ventures appoints India head
Vertex Ventures, a VC firm controlled by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has appointed Ben Mathias as managing director and head of India. He joins from New Enterprise Associates.
Apax buys stake in Indian IT player Zensar, Electra exits
Apax Partners has acquired a 23.2% stake in India-based Zensar Technologies for $129 million, providing an exit for Electra Partners, which has been an investor in the business since 1997.
Philippines' PLDT Capital backs US start-up
PLDT Capital, the recently-formed investment arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), has committed $10 million to US mobile app development platform Phunware and will support expansion in Southeast Asia.
PE-backed Giant to re-list in Shenzhen via reverse merger
Chinese online game developer Giant Interactive Group, which was taken private last year by a consortium of PE investors in conjunction with the company’s CEO, is seeking to re-list in Shenzhen through a reverse merger.
Sequoia, Kalaari commit $10m to India's Grabhouse
Sequoia Capital and Kalaari Capital have committed $10 million in Series B funding to Indian start-up Cryptopy Technologies, the developer of rental property listing platform Grabhouse.
Lippo sponsors Southeast Asia VC fund
Former Monk's Hill Ventures partner Stefan Jung has announced the launch of Venturra Capital, a new Southeast Asia-focused VC fund backed by the Lippo Group.
AGIC reaches $550m first close on China-Europe fund
Asia-Germany Industrial Promotion Capital (AGIC), a PE firm focused on China-Europe cross-border investments, has reached a first close of $550 million on its debut fund.
China internet players Dianping, Meituan agree merger
Rival Chinese online-to-offline (O2O) services platforms Dianping and Meituan – both of which have received substantial private equity and strategic funding – have agreed to merge. It is thought the combined entity would be worth at least $15 billion.
China’s CreditEase reaches first close on Israel fund
CreditEase, a leading Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) microcredit lender, has reached a first close of $30 million on its debut Israel-focused fund.
Golden Gate leads $3.3m Series A for Singapore's HipVan
Golden Gate Ventures has led a S$4.7 million ($3.3 million) Series A round for HipVan, a Singapore-based online store for designer furniture.
Australian design platform Canva raises $15m in Series A
Canva, an Australian online design platform, has raised $15 million in a Series A round of funding led by Felicis Ventures alongside existing investors Blackbird Ventures and Matrix Partners.
Convergence, Golden Gate in Series A for Singapore's MoneySmart
Singapore-based personal finance portal MoneySmart has raised S$2.8 million ($2 million) in a Series A round led by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Media Fund, with participation by Convergence Ventures, OPT SEA and Golden Gate Ventures.
Fund focus: Vertex strengthens its global foothold
Vertex Venture Holdings will use its new $600 million allocation from Temasek Holdings to invest in Vertex family funds across the US, Israel and China
Deal focus: H&Q’s reinvigoration factor
H&Q Asia Pacific's Silicon Valley-based innovation hub is intended to help established Asian companies find new avenues of growth in an increasingly challenging commercial landscape
Peepul Capital commits $15m to Indian online jeweler Voylla
Peepul Capital has committed $15 million to Indian online jewelry and accessory retailer Voylla.
Gaja Capital invests $10m in India's SportzVillage
Gaja Capital has committed INR650 million ($10 million) to Indian fitness education start-up Junior Sports and Services, which manages the SportzVillage brand.
Vertex raises $600m for China, US, Israel investments
Vertex Ventures, the VC arm of Singapore's Temasek Holdings, has received $600 million from its parent to invest in start-ups in China, the US and Israel.
SoftBank leads $1b round for Renren-backed US online lender
Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group has led a $1 billion Series E round of funding for Social Finance (SoFi), a Silicon Valley online lending marketplace also backed by China social networking site Renren.