Technology
Korea's ACE Equity launches SPAC targeting IT infrastructure
Korean private equity firm ACE Equity Partners has taken another step in the development of its cross-border investment capabilities with the launch of a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to pursue IT infrastructure assets.
Chinese online art tutoring platform secures $40m
Meishubao, China’s leading online art education platform, has raised $40 million in an extended Series C round led by Tencent Holdings.
Sequoia leads $100m Series C for China's Kuaidian
Kuaidian, a Chinese interactive content provider, has raised close to $100 million in Series C funding led by Sequoia Capital China. Existing investors GGV Capital and Morningside Venture Capital re-upped.
CLSA looks to connect wealthy investors with unicorns
CLSA, the international arm of China-based brokerage CITIC Securities, has launched a strategy to offer high net worth clients investment opportunities in late-stage private companies in Asia.
DCM raises $880m for early-stage funds
DCM Ventures has raised $880 million across two funds that will continue its early-stage technology strategy, with 70% of the capital earmarked for deployment in China.
China IPOs: Star attraction
Having previously focused on offshore IPOs, China managers with US dollar funds are now considering the Star Market. But going onshore means more regulation as well as high valuations
Openspace completes first close on Southeast Asia VC fund
Openspace Ventures has achieved a first close of more than $90 million on its third Southeast Asia fund, which has an overall target of $200 million.
Fund focus: B Capital begins second innings
Growth capital investor B Capital expects enterprise services to feature prominently in its Fund II portfolio as technology ecosystems in Southeast Asia and India continue to develop
Corporate VC in Asia: Moment of truth
Cutting non-core operations is the standard corporate response to an economic downturn. Companies in Asia must decide whether the long-term benefits of exposure to new technologies outweighs short-term pain
Baidu Capital leads Series D for China logistics platform
FineEx, a Shanghai-based logistics provider specializing in e-commerce, has raised RMB500 million ($71 million) in a Series D round of funding led by Baidu Capital.
Indonesia's Social Bella raises $58m Series E
Social Bella, an Indonesian online services provider for the beauty and personal care industry, has raised $58 million in Series E funding.
China's Ucommune acquired by US-listed SPAC for $765m
Ucommune, a Chinese co-working space operator that failed to get traction with an attempted New York IPO last year, has been acquired by a US-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) at a valuation of $764.9 million.
Chinese online-plus-offline retailer KK Group raises $42m
Chinese retailer KK Group - formerly known as KK Guan - has raised RMB1 billion ($41.6 million) in funding led by CMC Capital. BA Capital and Ince Capital Partners also participated.
China's Unity Ventures hits first close on US dollar fund
Chinese venture capital firm Unity Ventures - also known as Jiuhe - has reached a first close of $50 million on its debut US dollar-denominated fund. The vehicle has an overall target of $100 million.
Investigation confirms fraud at China's Luckin Coffee
Private equity-backed Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee has confirmed earlier suspicions of large-scale financial fraud in its operations, while a proposal to remove the company’s chairman failed to receive enough shareholder support.
Intel Capital to invest $250m in India's Jio Platforms
Intel Capital has agreed to invest INR18.9 billion ($250 million) in India’s Jio Platforms marking the company’s 12th investment in 11 weeks.
Software vs non-software: Digital distractions
Venture capital investors gravitate towards software start-ups, attracted by dynamic founding teams and readily scalable propositions. But should they be devoting more time and resources to hardware and biotech?
China data storage provider XSKY raises $45m
China-based data storage software services provider XSKY has raised a RMB320 million ($45 million) Series D led by China's State Owned Venture Capital Fund.
China's CF PharmTech raises $50m Series F
CF PharmTech, a Chinese medical devices maker focused on innovative respiratory products, has raised a $50 million Series F round with support from CICC Capital.
Deal focus: Soil Carbon's nascent climate fix
Australian start-up Soil Carbon is developing microbial technology that can be used to limit carbon emissions from crops. Horizons Ventures has provided financial support for the project
Carlyle invests $235m in Bharti Airtel's India data center unit
The Carlyle Group has announced its third India deal in the space of two months with a $235 million commitment to local telecom operator Bharti Airtel’s data center business, Nxtra Data.
Deal focus: Ascent envisions 10-year Myanmar play
In internet service provider Frontiir, Ascent Capital believes it has a portfolio company that can deliver profit and positive social impact in Myanmar
China smart parking manager raises $42m Series C
Beijing-based smart parking management solution provider AIpark has raised a RMB300 million ($42 million) Series C round led by Gaorong Capital.
Lightspeed leads round for Singapore mapping software player
Lightspeed India Partners and Falcon Edge Capital have led a $7 million Series A round for Nextbillion, a Singapore-based provider of artificial intelligence-enabled mapping software solutions.