Technology
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.
China education player Zuoyebang raises $750m
Zuoyebang, a Chinese K-12 education platform that spun out from domestic search giant Baidu, has raised $750 million in Series E funding led by Fountainvest Partners and Tiger Global Management.
Bond Capital backs India education platform Byju's
Bond Capital, the technology investment firm established by Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker, has struck its debut deal in India with a commitment to online learning provider Byju’s.
China's Agora more than doubles in value after $350m US IPO
Agora.io, a real-time voice and video communication platform established by Tony Zhao, formerly CTO of Chinese social networking player YY.com, saw its stock gain 151% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $350 million IPO.
China LGBTQ investments: Pink power
There has been little VC investment in Chinese LGBTQ social platforms since 2017 due to regulatory concerns. Will gay dating site Blued’s US IPO reignite interest in the space?
Japan Industrial Partners to buy Olympus' imaging division
Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) has agreed to acquire Olympus Corporation’s camera and lens business, which has posted losses in each of the last three years.
Ascent Capital backs Myanmar internet provider Frontiir
Ascent Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm, has made its debut investment in Myanmar by leading a $26 million commitment to internet service provider (ISP) Frontiir.
Deal focus: Running the CFIUS gauntlet for Grindr
Grindr, America's most popular LGBTQ dating app, was only put up for sale because its Chinese owner violated foreign investment regulations. San Vicente's subsequent $560 million acquisition faced intense scrutiny
Profile: Kejora Ventures' Sebastian Togelang
Looking for new business opportunities, Sebastian Togelang returned to Indonesia from Germany to invest in technology start-ups. He counsels entrepreneurs that it pays to be part of a larger platform
India's Milkbasket raises $5.5m Series B
Inflection Point Ventures has led an INR420 million ($5.5 million) Series B round for Indian grocery delivery startup Milkbasket.
Fund focus: Beenext targets a world beyond the mirrors
Beenext Capital Management has expanded its LP base while maintaining fund size discipline. This is born of a philosophy that capacity for cross-pollination is more important than capacity for deployment
Hillhouse invests $400m in China data center player
Hillhouse Capital has taken a 3.9% interest in US-listed Chinese data center developer GDS Holdings for $400 million.
Australia's Canva raises $60m at $6b valuation
Canva, an Australian graphic design platform, has raised $60 million in VC funding, almost doubling its valuation to $6 billion. It attributed the growth to a shift online amid COVID-19.
Toshiba seeks exit from PE-controlled flash memory business
Toshiba is exploring ways to fully exit its 40.2% stake in Kioxia Holdings, two years after selling control of the Japanese flash memory division to a Bain Capital-led consortium for an enterprise valuation of JPY2 trillion ($18.7 billion).