Technology
GIC backs Reliance Retail's India digitization drive
Singapore’s GIC Private has committed INR55.1 billion ($754 million) to the retail unit of Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, joining a growing roster of blue-chip backers.
GP profile: Redpoint China Ventures
Redpoint China Ventures spun out from its US parent in 2016, but the knowledge it retained – and the communication that remains – has been key to moving early on enterprise technology
Linear raises $200m for China VC fund
Chinese venture capital firm Linear Capital has closed its fourth US dollar-denominated fund at nearly $200 million, taking its overall assets under management to $400 million.
Lee Fixel's Addition backs India news aggregation app
Inshorts, an Indian news aggregation app, has raised $35 million in funding led by Addition, an investment firm launched by Lee Fixel, who was previously involved in Tiger Global Management’s India deals.
PE-owned Asia data center business trades up after $540m IPO
Bain Capital-controlled data center operator Chindata Group Holdings gained 20% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $540 million IPO.
Singapore e-scooter start-up gets Series A extension
Neuron Mobility, a Singapore-based e-scooter rental start-up, has secured $12 million in an extended Series A round as it accelerates expansion in Australia and New Zealand and prepares to enter the UK.
Investors commit $1.6b to India's Reliance Retail
General Atlantic, TPG and Mubadala Investment have doubled down on Reliance Industries’ plans to reinvent digital consumer services in India, following earlier commitments to Jio Platforms with investments in the conglomerate’s retail unit.
China's M31 Capital closes debut fund at $450m
Chinese Venture Capital firm M31 Capital has raised $450 million for its debut US dollar-denominated fund, beating a target of $400 million.
Australia's Airwallex upsizes Series D to $200m
Australian international payments technology provider Airwallex has raised an additional $40 million in Series D funding from existing investors, bringing the round to $200 million.
Gaorong seeks $1b for China VC fund
Chinese venture capital firm Gaorong Capital is targeting $1 billion for its fifth US dollar-denominated fund – twice the amount raised in the previous vintage.
Vision Fund leads $319m round for China's XtalPi
China and US-based artificial intelligence-enabled drug development platform XtalPi has raised $319 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund, the investment arm of insurer PICC Group, and Morningside Venture Capital.
PineBridge, Peter Thiel launch Southeast Asia-focused SPAC
Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies and Founders Fund, has teamed up with PineBridge Investments and Pacific Century Group on a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) that will target new economy assets in Southeast Asia.
Lever invests five China alternative meat start-ups
Hong Kong and US-based food tech investor Lever VC has confirmed five investments in alternative protein start-ups from its recently launched China fund.
Southeast Asia VC: Knowledge transfers
When venture capital firms move into Southeast Asia, they often use existing operations in China or India as a launching pad. Different lessons can be learned from these two markets
China's InventisBio secures $147m Series D
GL Ventures, the China venture capital arm of Hillhouse Capital, has led a $147 million Series D round for Shanghai-based biotech developer InventisBio.
GGV targets $2b for China, US tech investments
GGV Capital will return to market with its latest set of China and US-focused funds, seeking to raise an aggregate $2 billion, up from $1.88 billion in the prior vintage.
India's ShareChat gets $40m pre-Series E round
ShareChat, a social networking platform that focuses on Indian vernacular languages, has raised $40 million in a pre-Series E funding round.
China robotics player Cyclone gets $40m Series B
Matrix Partners China has led a $40 million Series B round for local robotics start-up Cyclone. Other investors include DCM, Lenovo Capital, Source Code Capital, and Renzhi Capital.
Japan gaming start-up raises Series A, hits $1b valuation
Playco, a Japan-headquartered mobile gaming start-up, has simultaneously formally launched operations and become a unicorn, raising $100 million in Series A funding at a valuation of $1 billion.
Iron Pillar leads Series C for Indian after-sales service player
Iron Pillar has led a $23 million Series C round of funding for Servify, an India-headquartered start-up that integrates parties involved in smart device retail with a view to improving customer service experience.
China AI: A rude awakening
Two years ago, artificial intelligence start-ups were the bright young things of China’s technology sector. Now these companies are struggling to justify their lofty valuations
China mobile recycling platform Aihuishou raises $100m
JD.com and Guotai Junan Securities have co-led an extended Series E round of $100 million for Aihuishou, a China-based electronic products recycling platform.
Deal focus: Airmeet rewires the conference circuit
As social distancing and travel restrictions play havoc with traditional conferences, Airmeet has seen a spike in demand for its virtual alternatives. A Series A round duly followed
India gaming platform secures $90m Series C
SIG Asia, RTP Global, MDI Ventures and Pegasus Tech Ventures have led a $90 million Series C round for Mobile Premier League (MPL), an India-based mobile gaming platform.