Technology
Hillhouse targets $12b for separate buyout, growth funds
China's Hillhouse Capital has split its current fundraising effort into separate buyout and growth strategies – having raised a single pool in the previous vintage – and is seeking $12 billion across the two funds.
Profile: Jihoon Rim
Jihoon Rim has been a venture capitalist, CEO of one of Korea’s largest technology companies, and a US business school professor – in the space of a decade. He explains the appeal of new challenges
China EV maker Enovate raises $742m
Enovate, a Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer, has raised RMB5 billion ($742 million) in a funding round led by local government industry guidance funds and state-owned banks.
Vision Knight leads Series B for China education app
Shaonian Dedao, a Chinese education app for teenagers led by former CCTV host Quanlin Zhang, has raised RMB200 million ($29 million) in a Series B funding round led by Vision Knight Capital.
Swedish GP buys Singapore biotech supplier, SBI exits
Swedish private equity firm Summa Equity has acquired a controlling stake in Singapore-based biotech developer Sengenics for an undisclosed sum, setting up an exit for Japan’s SBI Holdings.
3H Health leads $67m Series B for China's EdiGene
China’s 3H Health Investment has led a RMB450 million ($67 million) Series B round for local genetics-based drug discovery and therapeutics developer EdiGene.
China cybersecurity provider BambooCloud raises $44m
Shenzhen-based cybersecurity company BambooCloud has raised a RMB300 million ($44 million) Series C round featuring Sequoia Capital China.
Japan space debris start-up raises $191m Series E
Astroscale, a Japanese space tech start-up dedicated to cleaning up orbital debris, has closed its Series E round at $191 million with support from local investors aStart and Sparx Group.
Deal focus: VR gaming comes of age
Japanese videogame publishing company Thirdverse believes the time is right to bring virtual reality entertainment to the masses. VCs with expertise in the sector are beginning to agree
China's Gaorong closes Fund V at $1.1b
Gaorong Capital has closed its fifth US dollar-denominated fund with commitments of $1.15 billion. It brings the Chinese venture capital firm's assets under management to about $4 billion.
Tencent leads $100m round for China education platform
Huohua Siwei, a China-based children's online education platform specializing in mathematics and science, has raised $100 million in the second tranche of the Series E round.
Lee's Pharmaceutical spin-out gets $145m Series B
Hong Kong-based Zhaoke Ophthalmology Pharmaceutical (ZKO), a subsidiary of Lee’s Pharmaceutical, has raised a $145 million Series B round led by Hillhouse Capital and TPG Asia.
Fund focus: CCV raises $300m for China fund
China Creation Ventures secures $300 million for Fund II, having found that some LPs are holding back on China commitments while others are even more willing to engage
China carpooling player Dida pursues Hong Kong IPO
Dida Chuxing – a Chinese peer-to-peer carpooling business that subsequently expanded into ride-hailing, putting it in direct competition with longstanding market leader Didi Chuxing – has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
Everest Medicines soars on debut after $451m IPO
Everest Medicines, a Chinese biotech start-up backed by CBC Group, performed strongly in early trading in Hong Kong following a HK$3.5 billion ($451 million) IPO.
PE-backed Chinese fintech player Lufax files for US listing
Lufax, a Chinese online lending and wealth management platform valued at $39.4 billion following its most recent private funding round, has filed for an IPO in the US.
SBI, Sygnum launch digital assets fund
SBI Ven Capital, an investment arm of Japan's SBI Group, has teamed up with digital asset bank Sygnum Group and launched an early-stage fund investing in digital assets across Southeast Asia and Europe.
PE-owned Adore Beauty targets $193m Australia IPO
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity is set to make a first exit from its growth fund with online beauty retailer Adore Beauty announcing plans for a A$269.3 million ($192 million) IPO.
Jafco backs Japan VR game developer
Japan’s Jafco has led an $8.5 million Series A round for local virtual reality (VR) game developer Thirdverse.
ADIA joins Reliance Retail investor roster
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has become the latest investor to follow its commitment to Reliance Industries-owned Jio Platforms with an investment in Indian conglomerate’s retail unit.
Deal focus: Neuron finds clear roads down under
Having increased its Series A round to $30.5 million, Neuron Mobility is ramping up expansion of its e-scooter rental services, with Australia and New Zealand the immediate priorities
Japan voice AI player RevComm raises $14m Series A
RevComm, a Japan-based voice recognition artificial intelligence (AI) technology provider, has closed its Series A round at JPY1.5 billion ($14.2 million) with support from several local VCs.
India, US-based Chargebee raises $55m Series F
Chargebee, an India-founded and now US-headquartered financial technology provider, has raised $55 million in Series F funding led by Insight Partners.
PE-backed Converge ICT set for $680m Philippines IPO
Converge ICT, a Philippines-based broadband internet provider that counts Warburg Pincus as an investor, is poised to raise PHP32.9 billion ($680 million) in the country’s largest-ever IPO.