Technology
India's Apna joins unicorn club 21 months after launch
India-based online jobs platform Apna has closed a $100 million funding Series C round at a valuation of $1.1 billion, achieving unicorn status just 21 months after launching its flagship product.
IFC plans re-up for A91's second India fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed a commitment of up to $25 million in the sophomore fund of India’s A91 Partners, which has a target of $500-550 million.
India's MPL closes Series E, hits $2.3b valuation
Mobile Premier League (MPL) has joined rival Indian mobile gaming platform Dream Sports in the unicorn club on closing a Series E round of funding at a valuation of $2.3 billion.
Australia's Canva raises $200m at $40b valuation
Australian design and workplace collaboration platform Canva has raised $200 million at a valuation of $40 billion - up from $15 billion five months ago and $3.2 billion in 2019.
Japan's SmartNews secures $230m Series F
Japan-based news app SmartNews has achieved a valuation of $2 billion on closing a $230 million Series F round featuring US-based Princeville Capital and Woodline Partners as well as several local investors.
Taiwan's Gogoro set for $2.3b SPAC merger
A special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) backed by Homer Sun, former CIO of Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA), has agreed a $2.35 billion merger with Taiwan-based electric scooter manufacturer Gogoro.
Indonesia payments player Xendit raises $150m Series C
Indonesian digital payments infrastructure provider Xendit has raised a $150 million Series C round led by Tiger Global Management at a valuation of around $1 billion.
SoftBank leads $200m round for China's Keenon Robotics
China-based service robot manufacturer Keenon Robotics has raised $200 million in a Series D round led by Softbank Vision Fund 2.
India's FreshWorks targets $912m US IPO
Freshworks, which earlier this year lost its status as India’s most valuable software-as-a-service (SaaS) start-up, is looking to raise up to $912 million through a US IPO.
Profile: Vision Knight Capital's David Wei
Drawing on his experiences as a top executive at Alibaba Group, David Wei fashioned Vision Knight Capital into a China-focused private equity firm that aims to be both consultant and capital provider
Alibaba leads $300m round for China's DeepRoute.ai
Alibaba Group has led a $300 million Series B round for DeepRoute.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving technology developer currently running a robotaxi program in downtown Shenzhen.
Australia's SiteMinder secures $73m pre-IPO round
Australia-based hotel booking platform SiteMinder has raised a A$100 million ($73 million) pre-IPO round led by BlackRock and AustralianSuper.
EQT extends Australia IT rollup play
EQT-owned Nexon Asia Pacific, an Australia-based IT services provider, has acquired local counterpart Veridian Solutions for an undisclosed sum. This is its third bolt-on in as many months.
Warburg Pincus leads $93m round for China's Terminus
Warburg Pincus has led a RMB600 million ($93 million) Series B round for Hangzhou-based enterprise software company Terminus.
China's Agile Robots raises $220m
Agile Robots, a Germany and China-based industrial robotics company, has raised a $220 million Series C round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2.
Fund focus: AGIC sticks to cross-border growth thesis
Having found its sweet spot bridging the middle markets of Asia and Europe, AGIC Capital plans to stay there – although Fund II will move earlier to capture technology hardware post-commercialization
Square Peg leads $55m round for Indonesia's Pluang
Square Peg Capital has led a $55 million Series B round for Indonesian micro-savings and micro-investment app Pluang.
IDG, Sequoia, Hidden Hill lead Series E for China's eSign
China-based electronic signature service provider eSign has raised RMB1.2 billion ($186 million) in Series E funding led by IDG Capital, Sequoia Capital China, and Hidden Hill Capital, an investment arm of logistics platform and fund manager GLP.
India media SaaS platform Amagi raises $100m
Accel Partners, Avataar Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and Premji Invest, have committed $100 million in funding to Amagi, an India-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform aimed at TV broadcasters.
China's Future Capital closes debut growth fund
Chinese early-stage tech investor Future Capital has broadened its scope with the closing of its first growth fund at $108 million.
China's Ximalaya abandons US IPO
Ximalaya, a Chinese online audio platform backed by the likes of Tencent Holdings, General Atlantic, and Goldman Sachs, has canceled its planned IPO.
East, Saratoga back Indonesia e-commerce player Sirclo
Sirclo, an Indonesia-based e-commerce enabler that acquired mother-and-baby-focused online retailer Orami earlier this year, has received $36 million in funding led by East Ventures and Saratoga Investama Sedaya (SIS), a listed vehicle with ties to Saratoga...
India home interiors player raises $50m Series E
IIFL Asset Management has led a $50 million Series E round for Indian interior design start-up HomeLane.
China wafer maker Zhongxin Jingyuan raises $511m
Zhongxin Jingyuan Semiconductor - a China-based silicon wafer manufacturer also known as CCMC - has raised RMB3.3 billion ($511 million) in a Series B funding round led by Capital Operation, an investment arm of the Zhejiang provincial government, and...