seed
Australia's SproutX closes $8m agritech fund
SproutX, an Australian accelerator focused on agricultural technology, has raised A$10 million ($7.7 million) for a venture capital fund. Artesian Venture Partners will act as investment manager.
Australia launches incubator in Singapore
The Australian government has launched a start-up incubation program in Singapore that will focus on emerging industries, including services, and support new export market opportunities.
Japanese accelerator launches $17.5m hardware fund
Darma Tech Labs, operator of Japanese hardware-focused accelerator Makers Boot Camp, plans to launch a JPY2 billion ($17.5 million) venture capital fund, with Kyoto Bank serving as the anchor LP.
IDG, Axilor launch India early-stage fund
IDG Ventures India has partnered with Axilor Ventures for a program that will discover and fund disruptive technology start-ups in the country.
IAG launches fintech incubator in Singapore
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has agreed to establish a financial technology incubator in Singapore to focus on promoting start-ups targeting innovation in the insurance industry.
India's Endiya closes debut fund at $26m
Indian early-stage VC firm Endiya has reached a final close of INR1.75 billion ($25.7 million) on its debut fund.
500 Startups closes Thailand fund at $15.4m
500 Startups has reached a final close of $15.4 million on its Thailand-focused early-stage fund. It had originally targeted $10 million.
Fund focus: INSEAD alumni pay it forward
INSEADAlum Ventures, a seed-stage investor focused exclusively on INSEAD alumni, has raised its debut fund from a group of graduates keen to give back to the school where they got their start
East Ventures raises $27.5m for SE Asia fund
Singapore-based East Ventures has raised $27.5 million for a fund that will invest in early-stage technology companies in Southeast Asia.
India's university incubators: Learning curve
Campus incubators intended to channel entrepreneurial talent at Indian universities into competitive start-ups have a patchy track record. VC investors must consider what this means for early-stage deal flow
Singapore business school INSEAD launches seed fund
INSEADAlum Ventures (IAV), the Singapore-based VC arm of international business school operator INSEAD, has launched a seed fund dedicated to its alumni and faculty networks across Europe and Asia.
SOS Ventures closes third global VC fund at $150m
Early-stage investor SOS Ventures – known for accelerator programs such as China-based HAX and Chinaccelerator – has closed its third global VC fund at $150 million.
Japan's Global Brain targets $174m for sixth fund
Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain has launched its sixth fund, targeting JPY20 billion ($174 million), which will be deployed in domestic technology companies.
Cocoon Capital launches in Singapore with $7m seed fund
William Klippgen, founder of Singapore’s InseadAlum Ventures, and Michael Blakey, director of UK-based Avonmore Developments have set up Cocoon Capital, a Singapore firm with a S$10 million ($7.1 million) debut seed fund targeting Southeast Asia and...
Sydney Angels launches $15 million VC fund
Sydney Angels, a syndicate of high-net-worth individuals that invests in Australian start-ups, has launched its second fund with a view to raising up to A$20 million ($15 million).
Singapore's Leonie Hill Capital backs aerospace VC fund
Singapore’s Leonie Hill Capital is backing a $200 million venture fund for the aviation and aerospace industry alongside US-based Starburst Accelerator.
Vertex leads $5.5m round in Singapore's Spacemob
Vertex Ventures, the VC arm of Singapore's Temasek Holdings, has led a $5.5 million seed round for Singapore-based co-working space developer Spacemob.
Asia fintech hubs: Head start
Singapore's move to strengthen its financial technology ecosystem underlines the importance of creating appropriate infrastructure and incentives for start-ups in the space
Singapore to ease regulations on start-ups as part of fintech push
Singapore is promising to provide venture capital firms with streamlined approval processes and tailored incentives as part of efforts to develop the fundraising landscape for local start-ups.
Tech & government: Living laboratories
As governments of Southeast Asia’s emerging economies look to create more workable VC policy environments, start-ups and investors have proliferated across a patchwork of imperfect systems
Tech & government: 20 years of early days
Since the dawn of the internet in the mid-1990s spurred a global rebalancing of economic power, Asia’s newest VC heavyweights have raised questions as to how this technology-driven shift will be governed
NZVIF, Enterprise Angels to invest $14m in NZ start-ups
The New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF), a government-sponsored fund-of-funds, and domestic investor Enterprise Angels plan to commit about NZ$20 million ($14.3 million) to local start-ups over the next four years.
BlueRun closes $500m China early-stage VC fund
BlueRun Ventures has closed its latest China-focused fund - comprising US dollar and renminbi-denominated tranches - with more than $500 million in aggregate commitments.
India's Techcelx launches $15m tech fund
Indian technology investment firm and accelerator Techcelx has launched a INR1 billion ($15 million) venture fund targeting domestic companies in banking, education and healthcare.