seed
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving Pantera Capital, Third Rock Ventures, Hillhouse Capital, XVC, Angel Plus, SIG, Maxim Capital, Panda Capital, Baidu Ventures, and Matrix Partners China
Japan VC: Positive energy
Japan’s quiet venture capital space is booming within its own borders. Signs of a stronger exit market and an exuberant influx of corporate involvement are encouraging themes, but they will play out slowly
500 Startups Japan rebrands, launches $45m fund
The Japan-based team of 500 Startups has spun out a separate firm called Coral Capital and announced a debut fund with about $45 million in commitments.
Japan launches space start-up accelerator
Several venture capital firms, including Global Brain, are participating in a Japanese government-backed accelerator program for space start-ups.
Australia's Artesian launches $36m agtech fund
Australia’s Artesian Venture Partners and government-backed Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) have launched a A$50 million ($36 million) agriculture technology VC fund.
New Zealand's Enterprise Angels launches third fund
Enterprise Angels, a New Zealand angel investor network that focuses on domestic IT, agriculture, food, horticulture, life science and biotech companies, has launched its third early-stage VC fund.
Chinese satellite developer receives $37m angel round
Chang Guang Satellite Technology, a China-based commercial satellite developer, has raised RMB250 million ($37 million) in angel funding, underlining growing investor interest in space-related technology.
Asia start-ups: Global reach
Asian start-ups are under increasing pressure to head off competition by pursuing global expansion agendas in their earliest stages of development. They must pay careful attention to social disparities
Sequoia launches accelerator for India, Southeast Asia start-ups
Sequoia Capital has launched Surge, an accelerator program aimed at start-ups that are either based in or targeting India and Southeast Asia.
China's Gobi makes its first two Philippines investments
China’s Gobi Partners has made its first investments in the Philippines with early-stage commitments of undisclosed size for online healthcare services provider Maria Health and student portal operator Edukasyon.
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving DCM, Sinovation Ventures, Langsheng Investment, United Capital, Shenzhen Capital, Capital Fortune Investment, Tiantu Capital, IDG Capital, Shunwei Capital, and Sky9 Capital
Clifford Chance launches Singapore legal tech incubator
Clifford Chance has launched a start-up incubator focused on legal technology and innovation in Singapore.
Cocoon launches $20m Southeast Asia VC fund
Singapore-based VC investor Cocoon Capital has launched its second early-stage fund with a target of $20 million.
Asia fintech player Oriente raises $105m in seed funding
Oriente, a Hong Kong financial technology company backed by local investor BlackPine Private Equity, has raised $105 million in seed funding from a group of family offices.
500 Startups closes Vietnam fund at $14m
500 Startups has closed its Vietnam-focused early-stage VC fund at $14 million, beating a target of $10 million.
SparkLabs launches $10m Taiwan fund, recruits NBA star
SparkLabs Group, a pan-Asian network of accelerators and global venture funds, has launched a $10 million fund in Taiwan and appointed NBA star Jeremy Lin (pictured) as an advisor.
Mixed impact on exits as early-stage VC heats up – AVCJ Forum
VCs face new challenges and opportunities in exit markets across Asia as later-stage investors and strategic players participate more deeply in early-stage ecosystems.
Hyundai, Yield Capital launch $100m energy VC fund
Korea’s Hyundai Motor and Yield Capital, an investment unit of Beijing-Tsinghua Industrial R&D Institute, have launched a $100 million VC fund focused on hydrogen energy.
Korea's BonAngels secures $50m for third VC fund
South Korea-based BonAngels Venture Partners has raised $50 million for its third early-stage fund.
Bessemer closes global VC fund at $1.9b
Bessemer Venture Partners has closed BVP X, its latest global early-stage venture capital fund, at $1.85 billion.
Lattice80 launches fintech accelerator in Hong Kong
Lattice80, a UK-based group that operates financial technology co-working spaces and accelerators globally, has established a new base in Hong Kong.
India's IvyCap launches $8m angel fund
India’s IvyCap Ventures has launched an angel fund targeting INR600 million ($8.2 million) that will make seed to Series A-stage investments.
CLSA launches early-stage fintech unit
Hong Kong’s CLSA has launched an investment unit called AlphaLabs that will back early-stage financial technology companies in Asia.
VinaCapital launches VC arm, agrees three deals
Vietnam’s VinaCapital has launched a $100 million VC unit and confirmed its first two domestic investments. Separately, the private equity firm has committed $25 million to a local hospital operator.