China
Alibaba buys majority stake in VC-backed AdChina
Alibaba Group has purchased a controlling stake in AdChina, a digital advertising technology firm that previously received funding from several VC investors.
Tiger Global invests in China P2P online lending site Dianrong
Tiger Global Management has invested an undisclosed sum in Dianrong.com, a Chinese VC-backed peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending service platform.
Mobile app analytics firm App Annie raises $55m from VCs
App Annie, a mobile app analytics platform that was set up in Beijing but has since expanded globally, has raised a Series D round of funding worth $55 million, led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
Investors back WeLab's financial innovation
For Hong Kong-based financial technology start-up WeLab, setting up a peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platform was never the priority. Rather, the company wanted to develop and leverage its capabilities in the design of internet finance products and big data...
Yunfeng joins $1.6b deal for China drug maker Baiyunshan
Yunfeng Capital and other investors have agreed to invest up to RMB10 billion ($1.6 billion) in Chinese drug maker Guangzhou Baiyushan Pharmaceutical Holdings.
Women in China VC: Gender balance
Women are still underrepresented in a male-dominated VC industry, but China is notable for having a number of female executives in senior positions. How did they break through the glass ceiling?
VC-backed 51Talk acquires education counterpart 91Waijiao
51Talk.com, a Chinese online English-learning platform backed by several VC investors, has acquired industry peer 91Waijiao.com for an undisclosed sum.
Cheetah Mobile plans fund to support Taiwan start-ups
Cheetah Mobile, formerly Kingsoft Corporation’s internet security software division, plans to set up a NT$100 million ($3.1 million) fund to invest in Taiwan-based mobile internet start-ups.
Carlyle promotes Hiroyuki Otsuka to partner in Japan
The Carlyle Group has promoted Hiroyuki Otsuka, a member of its Japan buyout team, to partner as part of global round of 59 appointments, including five in Asia.
China online payment site Aixuedai raises $40m Series A round
Aixuedai, a Chinese online payment platform that finances purchases of consumer electronics, has completed a $40 million Series A round of funding.
CPPIB, Longfor set up JV to invest in Suzhou commercial property
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has formed a joint venture with Chinese real estate developer Longfor Properties to invest in a mixed-used project in Jiangsu province, China.
China e-commerce player WoWo files for US IPO
WoWo, which came to prominence as operator of the 55tuan group-buying site before expanding into a broader entertainment and lifestyle-focused e-commerce platform, has filed for a US IPO.
JD, Tencent invest $1.55b in Chinese online auto platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com and its investor Tencent Holdings have formed strategic partnership with Bitauto, committing $1.55 billion in the auto e-commerce operator and its investment unit.
Hony scraps plan to purchase Chongqing hotpot chain
Hony Capital has abandoned its plan to buy Chongqing Cygnet Hotpot, a Chinese hotpot restaurant chain backed by Sequoia Capital and SIG Asia.
Alibaba to invest in Indian e-commerce, payments platform
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest at least $550 million in One97 Communications, owner of India-based mobile commerce platform and payments solution provider Paytm, which has several venture capital backers.
Ally Bridge leads $25m round for Shanghai Hua Medicine
Ally Bridge Group, a healthcare-focused PE firm, has led a $25 million Series B round of funding for Hua Medicine, a Shanghai-based clinical-stage biotech company.
Dentsu challenges take-private of China's Charm Communications
The CMC Capital-backed privatization of Charm Communications is being challenged by Dentsu Aegis, which refused to accept the terms for the acquisition of its minority stake in the Chinese advertising agency.
DST, Iconiq join Series A round for Hong Kong P2P lender WeLab
DST Global founder Yuri Milner, Iconiq Capital and a joint venture between China Post and TOM Group have been added to Hong Kong-based internet finance start-up WeLab’s Series A round, taking the total raised to $20 million.
China food delivery app Line0 raises $30m
Chinese food delivery mobile app Line0 has completed a Series B round of funding worth $30 million, led by Tencent Holdings. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Gobi Partners also participated.
BAI invests in China mobile advertising solutions provider
Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), an investment arm of German media giant Bertelsmann, has committed $10 million in Series A funding to OptAim, a Chinese mobile marketing solution provider.
IDG, Vertex lead $52.5m round for NetDragon's online education unit
Best Assistant Education, an online education unit of China games developer NetDragon Websoft, has raised a $52.5 million Series A round led by IDG Capital Partners, Temasek Holdings-owned Vertex Venture and Shenzhen-listed animation producer Alpha Animation....
Sun Life Everbright, other Chinese insurers to launch PE fund
Sun Life Everbright Asset Management, an asset management arm of Sun Life Everbright Life Insurance, has launched a private equity fund alongside with other five Chinese insurers.
MSPEA enters the China hospital space
To Homer Sun, CIO at Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA), the current climate in China’s hospital services space is reminiscent of pharmaceuticals circa 2008. Government policy was pushing the industry towards consolidation and MSPEA capitalized,...
Xiaomi: The view from the top
Chinese smart phone manufacturer Xiaomi has become the world’s most valuable start-up, following a $1.1 billion round. Does its growth trajectory tally with the $45 billion price tag?