Growth capital
Vision Fund: Big is beautiful?
Previously the sole elephant in Asia’s growth-stage technology space, SoftBank’s Vision Fund program is now one of a herd. Prevailing amid increased competition may prove its thesis once and for all
3Q analysis: India advances
India technology investment continues to ramp up as China flatlines; international payments M&A drives Asia trade sale revival, but IPOs slump; fundraising remains slow
Australian Business Growth Fund seals debut deal
The Australia Business Growth Fund (ABGF) has made its first investment, committing A$15 million ($11 million) to local lithium-ion battery manufacturer 3ME Technology.
China biotech: Going global
A gradual shift in focus from sourcing assets from overseas for application in China to bringing China-made treatments to the world is challenging the notion of what constitutes a local biotech start-up
China autonomous sanitation vehicle maker raises $250m
CowaRobot, a Chinese autonomous driving technology developer with an initial focus on sanitation vehicles, has raised $250 million in Series C funding.
EQT backs cybersecurity training business
EQT has invested in EC-Council, a cybersecurity training and certification business established by a Malaysian entrepreneur, through its Asia mid-market fund.
Deal focus: Southeast Asia’s four-trick credit pony
Advance Intelligence Group has used its core risk assessment technology to expand into lending and e-commerce transaction finance and services. Membership of Southeast Asia’s unicorn club is its reward
Deal focus: Investors flock to SaaS specialist Ones
China’s Ones aspires to become Atlassian rather than Slack, catering to software developers working on complicated projects. Effective localization is partly responsible for a surge in VC investment
PAG backs China AI investment management start-up
PAG has led a $100 million round for DataYes, a China-based provider of artificial intelligence-enabled investment management solutions for the financial services industry.
Lee Fixel's Addition backs India-based Delhivery
Addition, a private equity firm established by Lee Fixel, who was previously involved in many of Tiger Global Management’s early India deals, has invested $125 million in local e-commerce logistics provider Delhivery.
China AR glasses maker Nreal gets $100m Series C
Nreal, a Chinese manufacturer of advanced artificial reality (AR) glasses that resemble normal sunglasses, has raised a Series C of $100 million led by Nio Capital, Yunfeng Capital, and Hongtai Capital.
SoftBank, Warburg Pincus back Singapore's Advanced Intelligence
Advance Intelligence Group, a Singapore start-up best known for digital identity verification and fraud prevention platform Advance.AI and buy now, pay later (BNPL) business Atome, has raised over $400 million in Series D funding.
Deal focus: Vision Fund bets on service robots
COVID-19 crippled demand for restaurant service robots, so China’s Keenon Robotics pivoted towards hospitals. It has $200 million in Series D funding to target new application scenarios
Deal focus: Deeproute founder jumps at second chance
Deeproute.ai has risen from the ashes of China-based autonomous driving specialist Roadstar.ai, backed by some of the same investors. Now Alibaba Group has given the company its endorsement
Eight Roads' China hospital wins backing from Swire
DeltaHealth, a China-based cardiovascular care chain established by Eight Roads, has raised $100 million in funding led by Hong Kong-listed conglomerate Swire Pacific.
D1 Capital leads $138m round for China's Xtransfer
XTransfer, a China-based cross-border payment services provider, has raised $138 million in Series D funding led by US-based D1 Capital Partners. Existing investors also took part in the round.
India's Apna joins unicorn club 21 months after launch
India-based online jobs platform Apna has closed a $100 million funding Series C round at a valuation of $1.1 billion, achieving unicorn status just 21 months after launching its flagship product.
India's MPL closes Series E, hits $2.3b valuation
Mobile Premier League (MPL) has joined rival Indian mobile gaming platform Dream Sports in the unicorn club on closing a Series E round of funding at a valuation of $2.3 billion.
Japan's SmartNews secures $230m Series F
Japan-based news app SmartNews has achieved a valuation of $2 billion on closing a $230 million Series F round featuring US-based Princeville Capital and Woodline Partners as well as several local investors.
Alibaba leads $300m round for China's DeepRoute.ai
Alibaba Group has led a $300 million Series B round for DeepRoute.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving technology developer currently running a robotaxi program in downtown Shenzhen.
IDG, Sequoia, Hidden Hill lead Series E for China's eSign
China-based electronic signature service provider eSign has raised RMB1.2 billion ($186 million) in Series E funding led by IDG Capital, Sequoia Capital China, and Hidden Hill Capital, an investment arm of logistics platform and fund manager GLP.
China ride-hailing app Caocao raises $588m
Caocao Chuxing, the ride-hailing arm of Chinese automaker Geely, has raised a RMB3.8 billion ($588 million) Series B round from five state-backed investors.
Baring Asia invests $150m in Singapore game developer
Baring Private Equity Asia has invested $150 million in Singapore-based game developer Virtuos, becoming the largest external shareholder.
Deal focus: Vision Fund throws its weight behind Opay
An introduction from SoftBank Ventures Asia prompted Vision Fund 2 to lead a $400 million Series C for Nigeria-based Opay, creating Africa’s newest technology unicorn in the process