seed
Indian Angel Network closes VC fund at $53m
Indian Angel Network (IAN) has closed its first venture capital fund with INR3.7 billion ($53 million) in commitments. The target was INR3.5 billion.
Australia's AirTree closes third fund at $188m
Australia’s AirTree Ventures has closed its third fund at A$275 million ($188 million) with substantial contributions from local superannuation funds.
Merck launches China seed fund
Germany-based life sciences and healthcare technology giant Merck has launched a RMB100 million ($14.1 million) seed fund targeting Chinese start-ups.
Singapore's Mooncake Capital launches $100m crypto VC fund
Mooncake Capital, a Singapore-based venture capital firm focused on crypto technologies has launched an Asia-focused fund targeting $100 million.
YBF Ventures, Honeywell launch real estate tech accelerator
Australia’s YBF Ventures and US conglomerate Honeywell have teamed up to launch a Sydney-based technology start-up accelerator for the real estate sector.
500 Startups, UN launch Indonesia accelerator
500 Startups has teamed up with a unit of the United Nations to launch an impact-focused start-up accelerator in Indonesia.
Korea start-ups: The graduates
Korea’s start-ups are internationalizing and becoming more technically advanced as the ecosystem matures. A rapidly multiplying flock of local VCs will have to do the same to keep up with them
Q&A: Choson Exchange's Geoffrey See
Geoffrey See is an advisor on Korean Peninsula affairs to the World Economic Forum and a serial tech entrepreneur who helps incubate start-ups in North Korea through his organization Choson Exchange
Singapore-based Play closes debut gaming fund at $40m
Play Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm focused on gaming start-ups in Europe, Asia, and North America, has closed its debut fund at $40 million.
East Ventures closes sixth fund at $75m
East Ventures has closed its sixth fund for early-stage Southeast Asian start-ups at $75 million. It had initially targeted $30 million.
Vulcan Capital expands into Asia
Vulcan Capital, a US-based venture investor set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has opened a Singapore office and earmarked $100 million for investment in Southeast Asia.
China's 01VC closes second early-stage fund at $100m
China’s 01 Venture Capital (01VC) has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund for early-stage investments with $100 million in commitments.
Pakistan's i2i launches $15m venture fund
Invest2Innovate, an accelerator program for technology start-ups in emerging markets, has launched a $15 million venture capital fund focused on Pakistan.
Australia establishes wine industry accelerator
South Australia is launching an accelerator program to help start-ups in the wine and tourism industries take advantage of new technologies.
Cocoon closes second SE Asia fund at $22m
Singapore-based venture capital firm Cocoon Capital has closed its second seed fund, targeting Southeast Asian enterprise technology start-ups, at S$30 million ($22 million).
Plum Ventures raises $77m for China angel fund
Chinese early-stage investor Plum Ventures has closed its fifth angel fund with RMB532.5 million ($77.4 million) in commitments, taking its total assets under management to RMB3 billion.
Sequoia launches India seed fund
Sequoia Capital is deepening its focus on early-stage start-ups in India with a new seed fund that will invest separately from its existing vehicles.
500 Startups launches second Korea fund
500 Startups has launched its second Korea fund focused on early-stage technology companies in the country.
China start-ups: Overtime
China’s start-up ecosystem is conforming to global norms by championing demanding work schedules, but companies must still consider ways to keep their employees suitably motivated
Singapore's VisVires launches $150m food tech fund
VisVires New Protein, a Singapore-based VC firm specializing in food technology, has launched its second fund with a target of $150 million. Fund I closed at $40 million in 2016.
Deal focus: Clearing up Southeast Asia’s currency chaos
Investors see opportunity in bringing a promising currency exchange-focused fintech model from Europe into Southeast Asia. Singapore-focused YouTrip is the region’s first mover in this niche
Endiya reaches $40m first close of second India VC fund
Endiya Partners, an early-stage VC investor based in India, has achieved a first close of $40 million for its second fund. The target is $70 million.
Hong Kong fintech player YouTrip gets $25.5m
Insignia Ventures Partners has joined a $25.5 million seed round for YouTrip, a Hong Kong-based financial technology company focused on travelers in Singapore.
BlueChilli launches health-tech accelerator in Singapore
Australia’s BlueChilli has launched a health-tech accelerator in Singapore in cooperation with the local government as part of a broader pivot toward the region.