Technology
KKR to buy Japan SME software provider from Orix
KKR has agreed to buy Yayoi, a Japan-based software developer that serves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Orix Corporation.
Blackbird backs Australia 3D cell culture platform
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has led a $25 million Series B round for Inventia Life Science, a local start-up that provides 3D cell cultures for research and clinical purposes.
Australia's Rokt raises $325m Series E at $1.9b valuation
Tiger Global Management has led a $325 million Series E round for Australia-based e-commerce marketing technology provider Rokt.
Indonesia insurance start-up Fuse raises $25m
Fuse, which claims to be Indonesia’s largest insurance technology start-up, has raised $25 million in a Series B extension. It comes within six months of a $50 million Series B featuring East Ventures.
Vision Fund 2 leads $60m Series C for India's Juspay
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a $60 million Series C funding round for Juspay Technologies, an India-based financial technology start-up that specializes in digital payments.
2022 preview: Blockchain
A broader range of investors will play in the blockchain space as new applications are normalized, although regulation remains the wildcard. Developing markets will punch above their weight
2022 preview: Healthcare
Healthcare’s high-cost, rapidly digitizing profile will persist regardless of how COVID-19 plays out in the coming years. China appears set for consolidation, including in biotech
2022 preview: India tech
As India’s technology sector balloons, investors are balancing confidence about fundamentals with expectations of pushback. Both will play out in 2022 to some extent
2022 preview: Japan VC
Japanese VC is growing up fast and looking a little less homogenous in the process. A longstanding growth-stage gap is about to disappear as new actors file in
Hong Kong's Brinc raises $130m for blockchain programs
Hong Kong accelerator Brinc has raised $130 million for blockchain-related accelerator programs and a global expansion with support from Animoca Brands, a local segment leader backed by several VCs.
2022 preview: SaaS
Software-as-a-service continues to benefit from a digitalization push across multiple markets. Investors are looking for differentiation in a market characterized by high valuations and intense competition
China supermarket chain T11 raises $100m
T11, a China-based, technology-enabled supermarket chain, has raised a $100 million Series B led by Alibaba Group. Other investors include Redview Capital and MSA Capital.
Japan's Global Brain launches two VC funds, expands global remit
Japan’s Global Brain has launched its eighth flagship VC fund, seeking JPY40 billion ($352 million) for a more international-facing mandate. It has also launched a follow-on fund targeting JPY10 billion.
Deal focus: LingoAce shakes up Chinese class
Singapore’s LingoAce is leveraging growing interest in learning the Chinese language with an entertainment-focused education platform. Sequoia Capital India is backing a global expansion
Q&A: Legend Capital's Richard Li
Richard Li, president of Legend Capital, on evolving US-China relations, the logic behind the recent wave of regulation, investing in line with government policy, and why LPs should get used to onshore exits
2021 in review: Boom time
Cheap debt and a desire for assets that deliver technology-driven growth have propelled Asia private equity investment to new highs and supported a resurgence in exits. But fundraising still fails to convince
TPG, ADIA, Temasek join funding round for Vietnam's The CrownX
The CrownX, a Vietnam-based consumer brands and retail business, has raised $350 million in funding from investors including TPG, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and Temasek Holdings.
Insight makes Indonesia debut in Flip's Series B
Insight Partners has made its first investment in Indonesia, co-leading a $48 million Series B round for consumer payments platform Flip alongside Sequoia Capital India and Insignia Venture Partners.
China's ABclonal Technology raises $189m
Chinese life science research and diagnostic reagents provider ABclonal Technology has raised a RMB1.2 billion ($189 million) Series D round featuring Sequoia Capital China.
L Catterton backs China-based Amazon vendor aggregator
Nebula Brands, a China-based aggregator of Amazon vendors, has raised $50 million in Series B funding led by L Catterton Asia.
India used car marketplace Spinny raises $283m
Spinny has followed fellow Indian automotive marketplace Droom into unicorn territory, closing a $283 million Series F round at a valuation of $1.8 billion.
China's SenseTime plans pared back Hong Kong IPO
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technology developer SenseTime is looking to raise up to HK$5.99 billion in a Hong Kong IPO that is considerably smaller than originally envisaged.
Fund focus: Lightspeed bets on green-tech
Green-tech is the latest big idea being championed by Lightspeed China Partners. It has inspired a change in the firm’s name and it will underpin deployment of the new $920 million fund
Deal focus: Gaussian serves China's aged
With its globally competitive technology and low costs, Gaussian Robotics has become a dominant force in the cleaning robot segment. SoftBank Vision Fund is the latest addition to its cap table