artificial intelligence
Tencent leads $100m round for China education platform
Huohua Siwei, a China-based children's online education platform specializing in mathematics and science, has raised $100 million in the second tranche of the Series E round.
Japan voice AI player RevComm raises $14m Series A
RevComm, a Japan-based voice recognition artificial intelligence (AI) technology provider, has closed its Series A round at JPY1.5 billion ($14.2 million) with support from several local VCs.
Vision Fund leads $319m round for China's XtalPi
China and US-based artificial intelligence-enabled drug development platform XtalPi has raised $319 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund, the investment arm of insurer PICC Group, and Morningside Venture Capital.
China robotics player Cyclone gets $40m Series B
Matrix Partners China has led a $40 million Series B round for local robotics start-up Cyclone. Other investors include DCM, Lenovo Capital, Source Code Capital, and Renzhi Capital.
China AI: A rude awakening
Two years ago, artificial intelligence start-ups were the bright young things of China’s technology sector. Now these companies are struggling to justify their lofty valuations
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.
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.
Qiming joins Series B for Chinese AI diagnosis player
Shukun, a Chinese start-up that develops artificial intelligence (AI) technology used in the medical imaging diagnosis, has raised RMB200 million in the third tranche of Series B round.
India's Mela Ventures reaches $17.5m first close
Mela Ventures, an Indian venture capital firm launched by the co-founders of IT outsourcing player Mindtree, has achieved a first close of INR1.3 billion ($17.5 million) for its debut fund.
B Capital to support Yalochat's Asia expansion
B Capital has led a $15 million Series B round for Yalochat, a US-headquartered messaging-focused customer relations management platform, with plans to help it introduce its solutions to emerging markets in Asia.
Taiwan AI player iKala gets $17m Series B
Taiwan-based IT hardware manufacturer Wistron has led a $17 million Series B round for local enterprise-facing artificial intelligence (AI) developer iKala.
Korean AI education start-up gets $41m pre-Series D
Korea Development Bank (KDB) and local private equity firms Nvestor, Intervest and IMM Investment have participated in a $41.8 million pre-Series D round for Riiid, a Korean online education platform.
Korean strategic, financial investors back industrial AI start-up
MakinaRocks, a Korean artificial intelligence (AI) start-up that helps manufacturers achieve production efficiencies through the application of deep learning technology, has raised KRW12 billion ($10 million) in Series A funding.
PE-backed Cambricon becomes China's first listed AI chip maker
Beijing-based Cambricon Technology, which is backed by CICC Capital, Alibaba Group, and Lenovo, has listed on the Star Market. It is the first Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chip manufacturer to complete an IPO.
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.
B Capital closes second fund at $820m
B Capital Group, a US-based VC with a presence in Singapore and a significant Asia portfolio, has closed its second global fund at $820 million.
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.
China logistics robot specialist raises $200m Series C
Geek+, a manufacturer of robots used to move merchandise around warehouses, has closed a Series C funding round, having raised $200 million across two tranches.
Chinese cloud player Qiniu gets $141m Series F
Chinese enterprise cloud service provider Qiniu Cloud has raised RMB1 billion ($141 million) in Series F funding from the state-owned China Structural Reform Fund, Bocom International, and Hongzhao Fund.
Chinese AI chip maker Biren raises $155m Series A
Biren Technology, a nine-month-old Chinese smart chip design company, has raised RMB1.1 billion ($155 million) in Series A funding led by Qiming Venture Partners, IDG Capital and Walden International.
BOC leads Series B-plus for Chinese AI player Shukun
Shukun, a Chinese start-up that develops artificial intelligence (AI) technology used in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, has raised RMB200 million ($28 million) in an extended Series B round led by BOC International and CCB International.
China chip design company Eswin raises $283m
Beijing-based chip design company Eswin Technology Group has raised a RMB2 billion ($283 million) Series B round led by IDG Capital and Legend Capital.
Southeast Asia talkbot secures $6m pre-A round
Singapore-based talkbot provider Wiz.Ai has raised $6 million in pre-A funding led by GGV Capital. ZWC Partners, Insignia Venture Partners, Wavemaker Partners, and Orion Fund also participated.
IAG invests in Australia agtech player
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has made an investment of undisclosed size in local start-up Digital Agriculture Services (DAS) via its VC unit Firemark Ventures.