Technology
Japanese entrepreneurs' big data start-up raises $15m
Treasure Data - a Silicon Valley-based big data start-up founded by two Japanese entrepreneurs - has raised a $15 million Series B round of funding led by Scale Venture Partners with participation from AME Cloud Ventures.
SoftBank leads $600m round for China taxi-booking app Kuaidi Dache
SoftBank Group has agreed to lead a $600 million round of investment for Travice, operator and developer of Chinese taxi-booking app Kuadi Dache, with participation from existing backers Alibaba Group and Tiger Global Management.
Alibaba buys majority stake in VC-backed AdChina
Alibaba Group has purchased a controlling stake in AdChina, a digital advertising technology firm that previously received funding from several VC investors.
Tiger Global invests in China P2P online lending site Dianrong
Tiger Global Management has invested an undisclosed sum in Dianrong.com, a Chinese VC-backed peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending service platform.
TA buys stake in India SaaS provider RateGain
TA Associates has taken a minority stake in RateGain, an India-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that works with clients in the hospitality and travel sector.
Mobile app analytics firm App Annie raises $55m from VCs
App Annie, a mobile app analytics platform that was set up in Beijing but has since expanded globally, has raised a Series D round of funding worth $55 million, led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
L Capital Asia targets India e-commerce
L Capital Asia, a PE firm sponsored by French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Group, could invest up to $150 million in India this year as it targets opportunities in the country's fast growing e-commerce sector.
Cheetah Mobile plans fund to support Taiwan start-ups
Cheetah Mobile, formerly Kingsoft Corporation’s internet security software division, plans to set up a NT$100 million ($3.1 million) fund to invest in Taiwan-based mobile internet start-ups.
Japanese 3D printing start-up raises $3.6m
A consortium of venture capital investors has committed JPY400 million ($3.6 million) to JMC, a Japanese casting and 3D printing services firm.
India’s VC-backed Zomato acquires US-based Urbanspoon
Zomato, a VC-backed restaurant search service based in India, has acquired US-based counterpart Urbanspoon as it seeks to accelerate growth in overseas markets.
China online payment site Aixuedai raises $40m Series A round
Aixuedai, a Chinese online payment platform that finances purchases of consumer electronics, has completed a $40 million Series A round of funding.
China e-commerce player WoWo files for US IPO
WoWo, which came to prominence as operator of the 55tuan group-buying site before expanding into a broader entertainment and lifestyle-focused e-commerce platform, has filed for a US IPO.
JD, Tencent invest $1.55b in Chinese online auto platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com and its investor Tencent Holdings have formed strategic partnership with Bitauto, committing $1.55 billion in the auto e-commerce operator and its investment unit.
Alibaba to invest in Indian e-commerce, payments platform
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest at least $550 million in One97 Communications, owner of India-based mobile commerce platform and payments solution provider Paytm, which has several venture capital backers.
Google Capital backs India real estate platform CommonFloor
Google Capital has provided a new round of funding for CommonFloor.com, an India-based property listings website.
Ally Bridge leads $25m round for Shanghai Hua Medicine
Ally Bridge Group, a healthcare-focused PE firm, has led a $25 million Series B round of funding for Hua Medicine, a Shanghai-based clinical-stage biotech company.
Japan’s NTT Docomo Ventures backs France-based Sunpartner
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the eponymous Japanese telecom giant, has taken part in a EUR4 million ($4.7 million) round for Sunpartner Technologies, a French solar panel manufacturer.
China food delivery app Line0 raises $30m
Chinese food delivery mobile app Line0 has completed a Series B round of funding worth $30 million, led by Tencent Holdings. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Gobi Partners also participated.
DST, Iconiq join Series A round for Hong Kong P2P lender WeLab
DST Global founder Yuri Milner, Iconiq Capital and a joint venture between China Post and TOM Group have been added to Hong Kong-based internet finance start-up WeLab’s Series A round, taking the total raised to $20 million.
Xeraya, Spruce in $150m first close on second life sciences fund
Khazanah Nasional-controlled Xeraya Capital and Spruce Capital Partners have reached a first close of $150 million on MLS Capital Fund II, successor to the vintage Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, which is now fully allocated.
BAI invests in China mobile advertising solutions provider
Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), an investment arm of German media giant Bertelsmann, has committed $10 million in Series A funding to OptAim, a Chinese mobile marketing solution provider.
India's Lenskart raises $22m in Series C funding
Valyoo Technologies, the Indian start-up behind online eyewear retailer Lenskart, has raised INR13.5 billion ($21.9 million) in Series C funding led by TPG Capital's growth unit.
Xiaomi: The view from the top
Chinese smart phone manufacturer Xiaomi has become the world’s most valuable start-up, following a $1.1 billion round. Does its growth trajectory tally with the $45 billion price tag?
Rocket Internet, PLDT set up online payments platform
Rocket Internet and Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) have agreed to form a joint venture mobile payments platform with a focus on emerging markets.