Technology
YJ Capital, East Ventures back Japan big data start-up
YJ Capital - the corporate venture capital arm of Yahoo Japan - and East Ventures have invested JPY260 million ($2 million) in Use Local, a Japanese big data start-up.
Deal focus: Go Scale out to dominate global LED
Go Scale Capital, a China-based investment fund sponsored by GSR Ventures and Oak Investment Partners, wants to build the world's largest LED company. It has now announced two notable deals in the space, most recently the sale of a majority stake in its...
Deal focus: China's Remix plans to rattle Windows
"Many people look at us and think we're a hardware company. That's actually not accurate," says Jeremy Zhou, co-founder of Beijing-based Jide Technology. "What we really focus on isn't the hardware product but a new operating system (OS) inside the tablet."
Chinese games platform Egret gets Series B round
Shenzhen Capital Group and Matrix Partners China have participated in a Series B round of funding for Egret Technology, a Chinese internet technology platform that focuses on mobile games development.
Zodius reaches $110m first close on India VC fund
Indian venture capital firm Zodius Capital has reached a INR7 billion ($110 million) first close on its $500 million technology-focused fund being raised in partnership with Avendus Capital.
China’s JD.com leads $70m round for VC-backed Fruitday
Chinese online retailer JD.com has led a $70 million Series C round for Fruitday, a China-based e-commerce site dedicated to selling imported fruit.
China's Baozun gains on US debut after smaller-than-expected IPO
Chinese e-commerce platform solutions provider Baozun, which has several strategic and private equity backers, saw its stock gain 3.5% on its US trading debut following an IPO that priced below the indicative range.
Ant Financial launches $160m internet finance fund
Ant Financial Service Group, Alibaba Group’s online financials services affiliate, has launched a RMB1 billion ($160 million) fund to invest in internet and finance companies.
Qiming leads $30m round for China internet security firm
Qiming Venture Partners has led a $30 million Series B round of funding for FraudMetrix, a Chinese internet security solutions provider.
US digital payment firm raises $28m for Asia expansion
US-based online payment system developer Ripple Labs is looking to expand in Asia on the back of a $28 million Series A round provided by investors including IDG Capital Partners and AME Cloud Ventures.
Go Scale sets up PE exit of China's Lattice Power
Go Scale Capital has led a transaction whereby a majority stake in its Chinese portfolio company, Lattice Power, has been sold to Shunfeng International Clean Energy (SFCE). The sellers will receive HK$2.04 billion ($263 million) worth of shares in Hong...
IBM, Samurai to launch second Tokyo start-up program
IBM BlueHub - IBM's Japan incubation program - has started taking applications for its second start-up accelerator in partnership with Tokyo-based early-stage investor Samurai Incubate.
IDG joins take-private consortium for China's Sungy Mobile
IDG Capital Partners has thrown its weight behind a management-led bid to privatize NASDAQ-listed Chinese app developer Sungy Mobile. The deal values the company at approximately $155 million.
Tiger Global continues run of Just Dial share sales
Tiger Global continues to exit India-listed online business directory Just Dial, selling a 5.37% stake - half of its remaining 9.18% holding - for INR4.08 billion ($64 million) via an open market transaction.
Orient PE unit bids for China mobile games developer
A private equity unit of Chinese brokerage Orient Securities has submitted a take-private bid for NASDAQ-listed game developer China Mobile Games & Entertainment Group (CMGE).
Tsinghua buys HP’s China data-networking business – update
Tsinghua Holdings has agreed to buy a majority stake in Hewlett-Packard's (HP) China-based data-networking business for approximately $2.3 billion.
Sequoia leads $16m Series B round for India's Akosha
Indian customer feedback platform Akosha has raised $16 million in a Series B round led by existing investor Sequoia Capital.
Australia's PE Gateway Group backs messaging service
Australia-based Private Equity Gateway Group (PEGG) has invested in U&Me Communication, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s OM Technology that has developed a mobile messaging platform.
Vietnam's FPT launches venture capital arm
Vietnamese tech group FPT Corporation has launched FPT Ventures, its new venture capital and accelerator unit, which will manage a $3 million fund targeting seed and Series A stage investments.
China hardware start-ups: Maker's mark
Best known as the go-to location in China for cheap electronics manufacturing, Shenzhen is now emerging as a Silicon Valley for hardware. Can these start-ups get traction with software-focused VCs?
China late-stage tech: Chasing unicorns
Capital is flooding into China-based internet companies, with PE firms, family offices, hedge funds and strategic players all-too-willing to support large, late-stage rounds. Not everyone will emerge a winner
Rushan leads $16m round for China's EasyStack
Rushan Capital has led a $16 million Series B investment in EasyStack, a Chinese cloud-based software provider. YingDong Investment and existing investor BlueRun Ventures also took part in the round.
JFDI opens applications for next program, doubles investment
Singapore-based accelerator Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI) has started taking applications for its next start-up program - which will be partly offered online - and has doubled the amount it is offering to successful applicants.
Trustbridge, Foxconn, JD.com back Chinese tablet maker
Trustbridge Partners has led a RMB100 million ($16 million) Series A round of funding for Jide Technology, a Chinese manufacturer of tablets running the Android operating system (OS).