Technology
China EV maker WM Motor raises $1.5b
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer WM Motor has raised RMB10 billion ($1.47 billion) in funding led by SAIC Motor and several government investment platforms. It said to be the largest single round in China's EV industry.
Panlin raises $148m for China VC fund
Shanghai-based venture capital firm Panlin Capital has raised RMB1 billion ($148 million) in its latest early-stage fund having spent about 16 months in the market.
LPs see decoupling as bigger issue than delisting - AVCJ Forum
The long-term implications of US-China decoupling are of greater concern than the prospect of Chinese companies being forced to delist from US stock exchanges, LPs told the AVCJ China Forum.
Australia's BGH backs online travel agent
BGH Capital has invested an undisclosed sum in TripADeal, an online travel agent that caters to the Australia and New Zealand markets.
Corporate VCs & climate change: Good citizens
Increased climate change awareness on a corporate level is leading to more investment – either direct or through funds – in start-ups that offer mitigation solutions. Asia is a key geography
Panacea leads $40m Series C for China's XWPharma
Healthcare-focused Panacea Venture has led a $40 million Series C round for China’s XWPharma, a neurobiology-focused biotech developer previously known as XW Laboratories.
Tencent backs Chinese healthcare cloud services platform
Kyee Technology, a Chinese digital medical platform has raised RMB430 million ($64 million) in a Series D round led by Tencent Holdings. Other investors include Longmen Capital, Dyee Capital and Royal Sea Capital.
Japan's 31 Ventures establishes second fund with $81m
Japan-based 31 Ventures, a VC firm established by local investor Global Brain and property developer Mitsui Fudosan, has launched a second fund of JPY8.5 billion ($81 million).
Long Hill invests $30m in Chinese O2O pharmacy player
Chinese digital healthcare platform inCarey has raised $30 million in an extended tranche of Series B funding from Long Hill Capital.
DCP pursues $5.6b take-private of China's 51job
DCP Capital Partners has submitted a take-private offer for Chinese online recruitment services platform 51job that values the company at approximately $5.6 billion.
India insurance tech provider raises $60m
Acko, an Indian financial technology start-up touted as the country’s only digital-native insurer, has secured a $60 million investment featuring Amazon and two global insurance providers.
Lightspeed establishes Southeast Asia VC team
Lightspeed Venture Partners has formalized its Southeast Asian practice with the nomination of Akshay Bhushan (pictured) as head of a new Singapore office and three additional hires.
Chinese educational platform Lele Ketang raises $40m
Lele Ketang, a Chinese K12 education platform, has raised a $40 million Series C round led by Owl Ventures, the largest education-focused VC in the US.
Asia-focused events platform Airmeet raises $12m
Sequoia Capital India has led a $12 million Series A round for US-based and Asia-focused virtual events platform provider Airmeet.
Naver leads $80m round for Singapore's Carousell
Korean internet conglomerate Naver has led an $80 million round for Singapore’s Carousell, a mobile classifieds marketplace, at a valuation of $900 million.
GPs join $516m investment in Evergrande's EV unit
Evergrande New Energy Vehicle (NEV), a subsidiary of Chinese real estate developer Evergrande Group, has raised HK$4 billion ($516 million) from investors including Tencent Holdings, Sequoia Capital China, Yunfeng Capital, and Didi Chuxing.
India fantasy sports platform raises $225m
TPG – acting through its tech adjacencies strategy – Tiger Global Management, ChrysCapital Partners, and Footpath Ventures have led a $225 million round for Dream Sports, operator of India’s largest fantasy sports platform.
PEP to buy Australian software player for $367m
Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) has agreed to acquire 100% of Sydney-listed enterprise software and IT services provider Citadel for A$503 million ($367.5 million).
Sequoia joins $30m Series C for India's Groww
Groww, a financial technology start-up considered the largest retail brokerage in India, has closed a $30 million Series C round with support from Sequoia Capital India.
China fresh produce retail: Changing channels
From online grocers to group buying platforms, capital is pouring into China’s fresh produce space as e-commerce finally makes it mark. Which business model will prevail?
Q&A: Starquest Capital's Frankie Fang
Frankie Fang, founding managing partner of China-focused fund-of-funds Starquest Capital, discusses early-stage valuations, specialization among domestic managers, and renminbi fundraising
China Renaissance closes third US dollar fund at $600m
China Renaissance has closed the third US dollar-denominated fund under its flagship Huaxing Growth Capital private equity platform at $600 million.
Bain's Asia data center platform seeks US listing
Chindata Group Holdings, which claims to be the largest player in emerging markets Asia’s carrier-neutral hyperscale data center industry in terms of capacity in service, has filed for an IPO.
Tiger, Temasek commit $160m to India's Zomato
Tiger Global Management and Temasek Holdings have contributed $160 million to an ongoing Series J round for India-based food delivery company Zomato.