Technology
JD.com invests $100m in Hong Kong's Li & Fung
Chinese online retailer JD.com is investing $100 million in Hong Kong's Li & Fung, which recently won support from warehouse investor GLP for a privatization.
China IPOs: Onshore attraction
The valuations available on China's booming Star Market are prompting US dollar managers to consider restructuring companies for onshore listings. How long will the fervor last?
Deal focus: Fave wins endorsement for ecosystem pivot
Having found online-to-offline services and mobile payments too crowded, Malaysia's Fave turned itself into a digitization guide for small businesses. Collaboration with India's Pine Labs should strengthen its offering
Microsoft seeks to acquire TikTok assets from China's ByteDance
Microsoft Corporation wants to continue discussions over the purchase of the US operation of TikTok from PE-backed Chinese technology giant ByteDance amid threats from US President Donald Trump to ban the short video platform.
BRV Capital invests $110m in Line's Thailand delivery app
Line Man, a parcel-to-food delivery app launched in Thailand by Japan’s Line Corporation, has raised $110 million from BRV Capital, an affiliate of BlueRun Ventures.
Sequoia scales up for China growth deals
Sequoia Capital China’s recent $3.68 billion fundraising effort has significantly expanded its scope to participate in later-stage deals. The three funds include a growth vehicle of $2.8 billion, a 55% increase on the previous vintage.
China's Li Auto gains 43% on debut after $1.1b US IPO
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto closed up 43% on its first day of trading on NASDAQ following a $1.1 billion IPO.
Sistema Asia Capital appoints CEO
Sistema Asia Capital, a corporate VC arm of Russian conglomerate Sistema that focuses on India and Southeast Asia, has named Edward Tay (pictured) as CEO.
Oyo founder establishes VC firm in Singapore
Ritesh Agarwal (pictured), the founder of Indian hotel booking platform Oyo, has launched a Singapore-headquartered venture capital firm called Aroa Ventures.
India’s Toppr raises $50m from Foundation Holdings
Indian educational technology startup Toppr has raised $50 million (INR3.5 billion) in a Series D funding round led by United Arab Emirates-based investment firm Foundation Holdings.
Asia-IO, Wise Road invest in HK semiconductor supplier
Private equity firms Asia-IO Capital and Wise Road Capital have acquired a 55.6% stake in a semiconductor packaging materials business from Hong Kong-listed ASM Pacific Technology.
India online education: Learning process
With millions of Indian students facing the possibility of an academic year conducted entirely online, educational technology start-ups have an opportunity for business model validation
CDH leads round for China community group buying player
Shihuituan, a China-based community group buying platform also known as Nice Tuan, has raised $80 million in the second tranche of a Series C round led by CDH Investments.
Eurazeo backs UK, Singapore-based Thought Machine
Eurazeo Growth, a joint venture between French GPs Eurazeo and Idinvest Partners, has joined a $125 million Series B round for UK and Singapore financial technology player Thought Machine.
Indonesia's Traveloka raises $250m
Traveloka, an Indonesian online travel services company, has closed a funding round of $250 million, reportedly accepting a stepdown in valuation in the process.
Deal focus: Vedantu adds to war chest as rivals encroach
India's Vedantu has raised $100 million in funding to support its ongoing diversification into non-test preparation services. Other players in the online education space have similar plans
Asia online gaming: Game on
Videogaming has outgrown entertainment and media to become a sector unto itself, with new angles for exposure multiplying rapidly. E-sports is an area to watch
Permira buys China, Indonesia English tuition business
Permira has acquired a majority stake in EF Kids & Teens, an English language education provider that operates 288 schools in China and 79 in Indonesia.
Fund focus: Tidal makes early-stage wave
With $21 million in dry powder, Tidal Ventures wants to bring institutional rigor to Australia's seed stage, helping prepare start-ups for Series A rounds
Fund focus: Wavemaker turns crisis into opportunity
Wavemaker Partners overcome COVID-19 uncertainty to close its latest fund at $111 million. Enterprise-facing and deep technology companies in Southeast Asia are likely targets
Korean travel app secures $36m funding round
MyRealTrip, a South Korean travel super app that positions itself as a one-stop-shop for bookings, has raised KRW43.2 billion ($36 million) in funding from the likes of Altos Ventures, IMM Investment, and Axiom Asia.
China launches $1.4b semiconductor fund
Suzhou High-tech Zone has launched a RMB10 billion ($1.4 billion) integrated circuit (IC) fund with support from local government guidance funds, corporates, and financial institutions.
Chinese IT infrastructure player SmartX raises $28m
SmartX, a Chinese enterprise cloud services provider, has closed an extended tranche of its Series B round as well as a Series C round, raising RMB200 million ($28 million) in total.
Deal focus: DRX wants e-sports to surf the Korean wave
Investors are backing DRX to generate international buzz for e-sports in Korea, following in the footsteps of K-pop, K-food and K-beauty. Overseas interest is already mounting