JAFCO
Deal focus: Taiwan AI draws global investors
Appier, a Taipei-based company that applies artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology to advertising, gets $23 million in Series B funding
Taiwan AI start-up Appier raises $23m
Taipei-based artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Appier has raised $23 million in a Series B round of funding from UOB Venture Management, Sequoia India, Jafco Asia, TransLink Capital and MediaTek Ventures.
Japan female-focused video ad network raises $6.6m
Jafco, TBS Innovation Partners and strategic investors iStyle and Excite Japan have invested JPY800 million ($6.6 million) in Open8, a Tokyo-based start-up that a video ad platform targeted at women.
Sequoia, SAIF in $36m Series B for India's PepperTap
PepperTap, an India-based hyperlocal online grocery delivery start-up, has raised a $36 million Series B round led by online marketplace Snapdeal, with participation from existing investors Sequoia Capital and SAIF Partners.
VC-backed news app Gunosy sees modest gain after Tokyo IPO
Shares in Gunosy - a Japanese news app developer backed by the venture capital firm Jafco, telecoms company KDDI Corp. and B Dash Ventures - is up marginally on its IPO price after two days trading in Tokyo.
Japan's KDDI buys majority stake in VC-backed Luxa
Japanese telecom giant KDDI has acquired a majority stake in VC-backed premium group-buying site Luxa.
VC-backed Sungy receives management take-private offer
The chairman of Chinese app developer Sungy Mobile has submitted an offer to take the VC-backed company private less than 18 months after it went public on NASDAQ.
Japan's Zozotown acquires VC-backed Aratana
Start Today - the Japanese start-up behind fashion site Zozotown - has acquired VC-backed e-commerce solution provider Aratana.
Indian online tea seller raises $6m
Indian tea retailer Teabox has raised $6 million in a Series A round led by JAFCO Asia, with participation from Keystone Group and Dragoneer Investment Group, and existing investor Accel.
VC-backed Gunosy files for Tokyo IPO
Gunosy - a Japanese news app developer backed by the venture capital firm Jafco, telecoms company KDDI Corp. and B Dash Ventures - has filed for a Tokyo IPO.
Singapore space junk start-up raises $7.7m Series A
Astronscale, a Singapore-based start-up that develops satellites to remove space debris, has raised $7.7 million in a Series A round of funding from JAFCO and nine entrepreneurs from Japan.
Jafco exits shredder maker to Japan Industrial Solutions
Jafco has exited Meiko Shokai, a Japanese manufacturer of document shredders, to turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) for an undisclosed sum.
Jafco invests $1.2m in Japan's Interactive Solutions
Jafco Ventures has invested JPY150 million ($1.2 million) in Interactive Solutions, the Tokyo-based start-up behind enterprise marketing and productivity app Interactive-Pro.
Japan’s MegaChips to buy VC-backed SiTime
MegaChips Corp, a Tokyo-listed semiconductor maker, is to acquire SiTime Corporation, a VC-backed US semiconductor company for $200 million.
Jafco commits $4.6m in Japan footwear site Locondo
Jafco has invested JPY500 million ($4.6 million) in Japanese footwear e-commerce start-up Locondo in a Series C round of funding.
Jafco invests $2m in Japan surgical robot maker
Jafco Ventures has invested JPY200 million ($2 million) in Riverfield, a Japanese start-up that develops robotic technology for use in the healthcare sector.
Japan mystery shopper company raises $2.2m
Mizuho Capital, Jafco Ventures and DBJ Capital have invested JPY220 million ($2.1 million) in Research and Innovation, a Tokyo-based internet market research company.
Japan VCs invest $3m in Tokyo tech boot camp
Life is Tech, a Tokyo-based IT boot camp program for elementary and junior high school students, has raised JPY310 million (about $3 million) from Japanese investors Jafco, Mistletoe, KCJ Group, DeNA and Recruit Holdings.
India app developer platform gets Series A round
Pokkt, an Indian alternative monetization platform for mobile app developers, has secured $2.5 million in Series A funding from Singapore-based Jafco Asia and SingTel’s corporate VC arm Innov8.
VC-backed Japan lunch delivery site raises $27m
Japan's Star Festival, the VC-backed start-up behind lunchbox delivery and catering site Gochikuru.com has raised JPY2.8 billion ($27.4 million) from strategic investor Askul, one of the country's largest office supply mail-order companies.
KDDI, Jafco invest $12m in Japan news app Gunosy
Japanese telecom giant KDDI Corp. has led a JPY1.2 billion ($11.8 million) round of investment in news app developer Gunosy.
Jafco reaches $260m final close on fifth global VC fund
Jafco Ventures has reached a final close on its latest global fund at $260 million for its latest global fund. The vehicle, which was originally targeting $250 million, is the largest the firm has ever raised.
Partial exits for IDG, Jafco as China’s Tarena completes $137m IPO
IDG Capital Partners and Jafco have made partial exits from Tarena International after the Chinese IT training services provider raised $137.7 million through a NASDAQ IPO.
Jafco invests $2m in Japan leisure booking site
Globis Capital Partners and Jafco Ventures have invested JPY200 million ($1.95 million) in Catarizm, the Japanese start-up behind online leisure booking site Asoview.