seed
China’s CSC Group backs UK AI incubator
Chinese private equity firm CSC Group has invested in Founders Factory, a London-based accelerator and incubator, with a view to getting exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) technology start-ups.
500 Startups launches $50 million Southeast Asia fund
US-based accelerator 500 Startups has launched its second seed fund focused on Southeast Asia, with a targeted corpus of $50 million.
Japan's INCJ invests $102.6m in domestic VC funds
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has committed up to JPY10.4 billion ($102.6 million) to funds managed by domestic VC firms MedVenture Partners and Universal Materials Incubator.
India's YourNest launches $45m early stage fund
Indian venture capital firm YourNest has launched its second fund for early-stage investments with a target size of INR3 billion ($45.1 million).
Fund focus: AirTree rides innovation wave
Australian GP AirTree Ventures raises its latest fund to invest in tech start-ups across growth ranges
Linear Venture closes $70m China early-stage VC fund
Linear Venture, a Chinese early-stage VC firm founded by former Facebook and JD.com employees, has closed its second fund – which comprises US dollar and renminbi-denominated tranches – with approximately $70 million in aggregate commitments.
Singapore's JFDI abandons accelerator program
Singapore-based Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI) has closed its pioneering accelerator program as part of a corporate restructuring.
Baidu launches $200m VC fund to invest in AR, VR
Chinese search engine Baidu has launched a $200 million venture fund that will focus on next-generation technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Australia's H2 Ventures taps public markets for fintech vehicle
Australia's H2 Ventures plans to raise up to A$55 million ($42 million) through an IPO for a dedicated unit that will make early and growth-stage investments in global financial technology start-ups.
Ex-JP Morgan China president joins local VC firm
Brett Krause, former president of J.P. Morgan Chase China, has joined PurpleSky Capital as managing partner with a view to helping the local early-stage VC firm launch a debut US dollar-denominated fund.
Indian government commits $75m to domestic start-ups
The Indian government has made a fresh INR5 billion ($75 million) commitment to its Startup India campaign, which aims to drive bank financing for early-stage companies while offering workshop and incubator services.
Australian government launches $15m cleantech fund
The renewable energy division of Australia’s Department of Industry, Innovation & Science has launched a A$20 million ($15.3 million) seed fund that will focus on domestic clean energy start-ups.
Singapore's Venturecraft launches $37m tech fund
Venturecraft, a Singapore-based VC investor and accelerator, has launched a new S$50 million ($37 million) investment fund aimed at early and growth stage medical technology (medtech) and internet start-ups in Asia.
Indian recruiters launch $10m VC fund
Indian recruitment companies Kelly Services India and Temp Holdings have launched a INR670 million ($10 million) venture capital fund focused on human resources-focused start-ups.
India's Scale Ventures buys Guerrilla Ventures portfolio
Scale Ventures, a recently launched Indian venture capital firm, has acquired the portfolio of seed-stage investor Guerrilla Ventures.
Indian energy company launches $15m incubator
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), an energy sector supplier under the Indian government, has launched a INR1 billion ($15 million) venture fund to promote entrepreneurship in the struggling local fuel industry.
Australia’s Bigstone receives $2.3m seed round
Australia-listed investment firm CVC has backed a A$3 million ($2.3 million) seed round of funding for Bigstone, a domestic online platform operator that connects investors with start-ups.
Deal focus: RocketSpace plots a China trajectory
With support from HNA Group, RocketSpace wants to take its San Francisco-based co-working space and accelerator model into new markets. China is the top priority
China's HNA supports US accelerator's global expansion
Chinese conglomerate HNA Group has agreed to invest $336 million to bankroll US start-up accelerator RocketSpace's global expansion, with a particular emphasis on China.
HTC VR accelerator adds 8 VC funds, backs 33 companies
Vive X, the accelerator program for virtual reality (VR) start-ups backed by Taiwan-based hardware developer HTC, has added eight VC funds to its backers, and announced the first 33 companies to receive its support.
New Zealand's Powerhouse Ventures files for $15m IPO
New Zealand-based start-up incubator and investor Powerhouse Ventures has filed to raise as much as A$20 million ($15.2 million) through an Australian IPO.
Green House, WiL partner on $52m India fund
India's Green House Ventures (GHV) Accelerator will partner with Japan and US-based early-stage investor World Innovation Labs (WiL) to launch a INR3.5 billion ($52 million) fund for investments in Indian start-ups.
Australia's Brandon Capital expands into New Zealand
Australian life sciences-focused VC firm Brandon Capital has expanded the mandate of its third Medical Research Commercialization Fund (MRCF) to include New Zealand.
Siam Commercial Bank unveils fintech strategy
Thailand's Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has formally announced a financial technology investment strategy aimed at improving customer experience while encouraging domestic start-ups to keep up with changes in the global market.