Technology
Singapore's VC-backed GoBear to wind down
GoBear, a Singaporean financial technology start-up that received VC backing as recently as May, will cease operations and begin a phased closure of the business, citing pandemic-related disruption.
VC-backed Chinese online tutor Xueba close to bankruptcy
Xueba100.com, a China-based one-to-one online tuition platform, has halted operations and is looking for industry peers to assume responsibility for its students and teachers.
China robotics player Flexiv gets $100m Series B
Flexiv, a China and US-based industrial robotics start-up specializing in machines that can adapt to unpredictable environments, has raised a $100 million Series B round featuring Gaorong Capital.
Five trends for 2021
AVCJ looks at how its 2020 predictions turned out and identifies some key themes for the year ahead
Apax buys software business from India's 3i Infotech
Apax Partners has agreed to acquire the software products business of Indian IT provider 3i Infotech for INR10 billion ($136.6 million). It will be renamed Azentio Software.
Silver Lake joins $3.3b investment in China's TAL Education
Silver Lake has led a $2.3 billion investment in TAL Education Group, a US-listed Chinese after-school education provider, via a convertible notes issue.
China's Oceanpine raises $400m for tech, healthcare deals
Chinese technology and healthcare investor Oceanpine Capital has completed its first external fundraise with $400 million in commitments.
Delivery Hero wins approval for Woowa deal in Korea
Private equity investors in Korean food delivery business Woowa Brothers look set for a liquidity event after regulators gave conditional approval for a $4 billion acquisition by Delivery Hero.
China's Zuoyebang gets $1.6b Series E extension
Zuoyebang, which claims to be China’s largest online education company, has secured $1.6 billion in an extended Series E funding round that features Alibaba Group as a new investor.
Trustbridge leads $500m round for China's Dxy.cn
Trustbridge Partners has led a $500 million round for Dingxiangyuan – also known as dxy.cn – a Chinese digital medical platform that primarily serves as a forum for healthcare industry professionals.
Google joins $145m round for India's Glance
Google has joined a $145 million round for Glance, an Indian smart phone services provider specializing in media content that launches on a locked home screen when a handset is illuminated.
Rise Fund leads Series D for Chinese art tuition platform
The Rise Fund, TPG’s impact investment vehicle, has led a $210 million Series D round of funding for Meishubao, a China-based online art education platform.
PE-backed WealthNavi soars on Tokyo debut
Japanese financial technology start-up WealthNavi gained 100% on its trading debut following a JPY17.9 billion ($172.9 million) IPO that facilitated partial exits for Gree Ventures, Infinity Venture Partners, and Global Brain.
China's MiningLamp gets $200m Series E extension
The Russia-China Investment Fund has led a $200 million Series E extension for Chinese big data player MiningLamp Technology, taking the overall round to $500 million.
Q&A: North Summit Capital's Wanli Min
Previously chief machine intelligence scientist at Alibaba Cloud, Wanli Min is now applying his deep technology expertise to investment at North Summit Capital. He explains what kind of innovation makes him tick
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2021
Industry professionals process the upheavals of 2020 to inform outlooks for a range of markets and investment themes. Realist bullishness abounds
DCP, CPE make $300m China data center play
DCP Capital Partners and CPE – formerly CITIC Private Equity – have led a $300 million investment in Hotwon Group, a Chinese cloud computing infrastructure services provider.
Cathay Capital appoints chief impact officer
Cathay Capital has named Matthieu van der Elst, formerly CEO of France’s Michelin Ventures, as its first chief impact officer.
Gaja leads $32m Series B for India SaaS start-up
Gaja Capital has led a $32 million Series B round for India-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider LeadSquared.
Sinovation's consulting unit hits $1b valuation with Series C
AInnovation, an artificial intelligence (AI) consulting business established by Sinovation Ventures, has joined the ranks of China’s AI unicorns following a Series C round of funding.
China digital services player Deepexi raises $40m
Deepexi, a Chinese start-up that provides digital transformation solutions to enterprise customers, has raised $40 million in the fourth tranche of a Series A funding round.
China healthtech player gets $100m Series C extension
Weimai, a Chinese healthcare-focused big data platform that primarily serves hospitals and clinics in lower-tier cities, has raised $100 million in an extended Series C round led by Baidu Capital.
SoftBank joins $60m Series B for Korean payments player
SoftBank Ventures Asia has joined a $60 million Series B round for Korean payments technology start-up Chai.
Government funds back Chinese online grocer Miss Fresh
Chinese online grocer Miss Fresh has raised RMB2 billion ($305 million) from three Qingdao government-related funds to support expansion in the city on China's eastern seaboard.