Technology
Wavemaker closes third Southeast Asia fund at $111m
Wavemaker Partners has closed its third Southeast Asia venture capital fund with $111 million in commitments. The target was $100 million.
Google joins Facebook on Jio Platforms investor roster
Google has agreed to invest INR337.3 billion ($4.5 billion) in India’s Jio Platforms and outlined plans to build a low-cost smart phone aimed at the mass-market.
India's Unacademy moves to form edtech group
Indian online education platform Unacademy has acquired a majority stake in industry peer Mastree. It is the company's second acquisition in recent weeks, suggesting a consolidation strategy within the space.
Luckin's chairman, PE backers removed from board
The chairman and largest shareholder in scandal-hit Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee has been removed at the second attempt. Representatives of several of the company’s private equity backers have also left the board.
China cancer test kit provider gets $30m Series E
New Horizon Health, a China-based manufacturer of cancer testing kits for use at home, has raised $30 million in a Series E round of funding led by Rock Springs Capital.
Google commits $10b for India digitization effort
Google will launch a INR750 billion ($10 billion) fund to make equity, operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments that seek to increase the pace of digitization in India.
Quan leads $80m Series A for China biotech player
Healthcare-focused VC firm Quan Capital has led an $80 million Series A round for Citrine Medicine, a Chinese biotech developer set up by Eight Roads, F-Prime Capital, and Vivo Capital.
China EV maker Li Auto pursues US listing
Li Auto, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that has been backed by online-to-offline (O2O) services giant Meituan Dianping, has filed for a US IPO.
Qualcomm Ventures invests $97m in India’s Jio Platforms
Qualcomm Ventures has agreed to invest INR7.3 billion ($97 million) in India’s Jio Platforms, the holding company for various internet and telecom assets owned by Reliance Industries.
China's Newlink raises $128m Series D
Newlink Group, operator of a platform that helps drivers in China locate the best value gas stations, has raised a RMB900 million ($128 million) Series D round led by CICC Capital. Xiaomi Corporation also participated.
China gay dating app Blued raises $85m in US IPO
BlueCity Holdings, the VC-backed holding company for Chinese gay dating platform Blued, traded strongly after raising $84.8 million through a NASDSAQ IPO.
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.