Technology
China autonomous driving: Dimension jump
There are no arguments about the transformational potential of autonomous driving in China, but investors have different ideas about where to find value
China's LandSpace raises $175m Series C
Chinese commercial rocket developer LandSpace has raised RMB1.2 billion ($175 million) in a Series C extension co-led by Sequoia Capital China, the VC arm of property developer Country Garden, Matrix Partners China and Co-Stone Capital.
China healthcare big data player LinkDoc raises $102m
LinkDoc Technology, a Chinese healthcare big data company, has raised RMB700 million ($102 million) in an extended Series D round from CICC Capital, Youshan Capital, and iFOF, a fund-of-funds launched by CBC Capital and the Tianjin government.
Cool Japan leads $40m Series C for Taiwan’s Vpon
Cool Japan Fund has led a $40 million Series C round for Vpon, a Taiwan-based big data and advertising services provider.
Silver Lake invests $1b in India's Reliance Retail
Silver Lake has made its second big bet on India in a week – and its third in four months – with a $1 billion commitment to the retail unit of Reliance Industries.
China apps going global: Empires on hold
China’s data-driven consumer apps are having a harder time keeping politics out of business as they become increasingly competitive in global markets. Lessons are plentiful; solutions are not
China due diligence: Nightmare scenarios
Luckin Coffee’s precipitous rise and fall is a reminder of longstanding issues around corporate fraud in China. Failing to spot problems before they emerge remains a key concern for PE investors
Vertex China closes first renminbi fund at $438m
Vertex China, a VC firm affiliated to Temasek Holdings-owned Vertex Holdings, has closed its first renminbi-denominated fund at RMB3 billion ($438 million).
Africa-focused GP leads Series B for Singapore's Thunes
Africa-focused private equity firm Helios Investment Partners has led a $60 million Series B round for Singapore financial technology start-up Thunes.
Silver Lake backs India edtech player Byju's
Silver Lake has extended a string of large investments for India-based education technology platform Byju’s at a valuation of around $11 billion.
Deal focus: Putting Asia on the air mobility map
Japan’s SkyDrive leads Asia in the niche but potentially society-altering category of flying cars. A $37 million Series B round marks the latest step in a long safety build-out and public acceptance process
Australia's Blackbird launches New Zealand fund
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has launched a NZ$60 million ($40 million) New Zealand-dedicated fund with a cornerstone investment of NZ$21.5 million from the government.
China biotech player InxMed raises $19m
Ennovation Ventures, a Chinese life sciences and healthcare-focused investor, and China Growth Capital have led a RMB130 million ($19 million) round for local biotech developer InxMed.
China mixed reality player Nreal secures $40m Series B
Nreal, a Chinese manufacturers of advanced virtual reality glasses that resemble normal sunglasses, has raised $40 million in Series B funding led by local video sharing platform Kuaishou.
Vision Fund leads $100m Series C for Singapore-founded Biofourmis
SoftBank Vision Fund has led a $100 million Series C round for Biofourmis, a Singapore founded and now US-based operator of a health analytics platform.
Chinese cleaning robot developer gets $22m Series B
Gaussian Robotics, a China-based developer of robots used for cleaning, has raised RMB150 million ($22 million) in an extended tranche of Series B round led by Broad Vision Funds and China Capital Management.
SoftBank leads $150m round for India's Unacademy
SoftBank has led a $150 million round for Indian education technology provider Unacademy, confirming the start-up’s unicorn status with a valuation around $1.4 billion.
Sequoia leads Series B for Chinese coffee brand
Saturnbird, a Chinese coffee brand, has raised more than RMB100 million（$14 million) in a Series B funding round led by Sequoia Capital China. Existing backer Frees Fund re-upped.
3one4 hits first close on third India VC fund
India’s 3one4 Capital has reached a first close on its third flagship early-stage venture capital fund.
Deal focus: Shukun stands out from the crowd
Shukun sought to differentiate itself from other Chinese artificial intelligence medical imaging start-ups by focusing on heart rather than lung conditions, but a COVID-19 diagnosis solution has given the company real traction
Korean wave: Killer content
From Oscar-winning films to record-breaking pop bands, Korean content has started to replicate its success in Asia in the West. Venture capital investors are looking for ways to ride the K-wave
TPG, KKR invest $220m in Singapore’s PropertyGuru
Singapore-based real estate portal PropertyGuru has confirmed S$300 million ($220 million) in new commitments from existing backers TPG Capital and KKR.
Indian edtech player Eruditus gets $113m Series D
Eruditus, an Indian education technology provider focused on working professionals, has raised a $113 million Series D round featuring Sequoia Capital India.
Japan flying car developer gets $37m Series B
Development Bank of Japan has joined a JPY3.9 billion ($37 million) Series B round for Tokyo-based flying car developer SkyDrive.