Technology
Alibaba leads $60 million Series C1 round for Quixey
Alibaba Group has led a Series C1 round of funding worth $60 million for US app search engine Quixey, as the Chinese e-commerce giant continues to ramp up its presence in the US tech sector.
Baird Capital backs China used car auction platform
Baird Capital has agreed to lead a Series A round of funding for Carsing, a Shanghai-based used car auction platform. FLAG Squadron Capital and Delta Capital are also contributing to the round.
Korean education social network raises $3.2m
Classting, a South Korean social networking site for students and teachers, has raised a KRW3.5 billion ($3.17 million) Series B round of funding led by Partner Investment, a tech-focused PE firm based in Seoul.
CVC-backed HKBN IPO prices at top of range, raises $750m
Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN), an internet service provider controlled by CVC Capital Partners, has raised HK$5.8 billion ($750 million) in its Hong Kong IPO.
VC-backed Chinese home furnishing site Jia.com raises $160m
Jia.com, a Chinese home furnishing and decoration B2C online platform backed by several VC firms, has completed a Series D round of funding worth $160 million.
Chinese parenting site Lamabang raises $100m
China online retailer Vipshop has led a $100 million Series C round of funding for Lamabang, an online social networking platform that focuses on mothers.
Japan's Recruit buys VC-backed restaurant booking site
Japanese employment and internet services company Recruit Holdings has acquired German VC-backed restaurant booking site Quandoo for EUR198.6 million (about $219 million).
Rocket Internet delivers Series A financing to Bridestory
Rocket Internet has participated in a Series A round of funding for Indonesian online wedding marketplace Bridestory. The size of the investment was not disclosed, but it is said to be between $1 million and $10 million.
Singapore launches first equity crowdfunding platform
Andy Lim, co-founder of Tembusu Partners and founder financial services group MoneyWorld, has launched Singapore's first equity crowdfunding platform.
Sydney launches financial technology start-up hub
Sydney has launched a hub for financial technology start-ups, supported by initial funding of A$2 million ($1.6 million) from a string of Australian banks, property and technology firms in collaboration with the New South Wales government.
Taiwan’s MediaTek launches $300m corporate VC fund
MediaTek, a leading Taiwanese fabless chipmaker, has launched a $300 million venture fund that will invest in global start-ups.
China gold rush: Venture in bloom
Flipping through the pages of a men's magazine in an airport lounge, I can't help but notice that double-breasted suits being hailed as one of the next big trends in menswear. Yes, the Gordon Gekko look, with some updates, is back. And like the fashion...
Big data: Number crunchers
Already an established investment trend, big data is becoming increasingly mainstream. From a VC perspective, the money will be made by going specialist and helping clients turn numbers into commercial action
Maverick commits $15m to India adtech start-up
Maverick Capital Venture - the venture capital affiliate of hedge fund Maverick Capital - has led a $15 million round of funding for India and Southeast Asia-focused mobile marketing data platform Vserv.
Fenox invests $2m in Japan solar energy marketplace
Fenox Venture Capital has invested $2 million in I AND C-Cruise (IACC), the Japanese start-up behind solar power web portal Green-EnergyNavi.com.
OTPP commits funding to Singapore mobile platform Garena
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has led a new round of funding for Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Garena. Existing shareholders also participated.
VC-backed 58.com acquires Chinese real estate platform
Chinese online marketplace 58.com, a VC-backed classifieds website along the lines of Craigslist, has acquired Anjuke, an online real estate listing platform, for about $267 million.
Japan's INCJ joins acquisition of US biopharma firm
The government-backed Innovation Network corporation of Japan (INCJ), life sciences company JSR Corporation, and pharmaceutical research firm CMIC Holdings have together purchased US-based KBI BioPharma for an undisclosed sum.
VC-backed Ola acquires smaller rival TaxiForSure
India's largest VC-backed taxi-booking service Ola has acquired its smaller rival TaxiForSure for $200 million in a cash and stock deal.
China’s online drugstore 7LK raises $48m from VCs
Chinese online drugstore 7LK.com has raised RMB300 million ($48 million) in a Series A round of funding from Govtor Capital, Grand Yangtze Capital and TusPark Ventures.
Leadyond in partial exit from China’s NSFocus Information
Leadyond Capital has partially exited its stake in NSFocus Information Technology, a Chinese network security services specialist, via a public market trade for RMB140.5 million ($22 million).
China’s N5 Capital launches $200m debut VC fund
N5 Capital, a Beijing-based venture capital firm, has launched its debut US dollar-denominated fund.
Indian food ordering service TinyOwl raises $16m
Indian food ordering service TinyOwl has managed to raise a $16 million Series B round of funding led by Matrix Partners. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Nexus Venture Partners also took part.
India home delivery service Grofers raises $10m
India grocery delivery service Grofers has raised a $10 million Series A round of funding from Tiger Global management and existing investor Sequoia Capital.