seed
Grab Ventures to invest $250m in Indonesian start-ups
Grab Ventures, the VC arm of ride-hailing app operator Grab, has committed IDR3 trillion ($250 million) to a program that will invest in Indonesian start-ups.
Y Combinator hires ex-Baidu COO to lead China business
Silicon Valley-based seed-stage accelerator Y Combinator (YC) has chosen Qi Lu, the former group president and COO of search giant Baidu, as the founding CEO of its China branch, YC China.
Golden Equator launches Brunei accelerator
Singapore’s Golden Equator has launched an accelerator in Brunei aimed at helping local small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) expand across Southeast Asia.
Samsung to expand VC program in $22b innovation drive
Korea’s Samsung has committed KRW25 trillion ($22 billion) to a technology innovation drive that will focus strongly on domestic R&D and include an expansion of the company’s venture incubation program.
Capria targets $100m for emerging markets fund-of-funds
Capria Ventures, a US impact investor sponsored by Unitus, has launched a $100 million fund that will focus in part on developing regions within Asia.
China biotech: Finding the formula
An eruption of investment and company creation in Chinese biotech has signaled the dawn of a raw but promising market. First-movers must negotiate immediate pitfalls while targeting long-term upside
India's SRI launches $100m US-India VC fund
SRI Capital has launched its debut fund, targeting innovative technology start-ups in the US and India, with a target of $100 million.
Indian government commits $29m to four GPs
The Indian government has committed INR2 billion ($29 million) to four domestic investment funds as part of its support for the entrepreneurial sector.
Google launches Asian games accelerator
Google has launched an accelerator for Southeast Asia, India, and Pakistan that will focus exclusively on video games.
VCs invest $8m in Singapore's Umitron
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan and D4V, a Japanese seed-stage investor set up by Genuine Startups and US design consultancy Ideo, have joined a S$11.2 million ($8.2 million) investment in Singaporean agricultural technology company Umitron.
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving IDG Capital, Orchid Asia, Fosun Group, Matrix Partners, ZhenFund, Sky9 Capital, CDH Investments, Meridian Capital, Eastern Bell Venture Capital, SIG, and Qianhai FoF
India's Axilor launches $30m seed fund
Indian early-stage investor and accelerator Axilor Ventures has launched a INR2 billion ($30 million) fund aimed at seed investments in Indian start-ups.
Pivotal China seeds Sino-US cancer drug developer
Pivotal BioVenture Partners China, an investment platform of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, has led a $16.5 million seed round for Sino-US cancer drug developer Oncologie.
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving N5 Capital, Matrix Partners China, JD.com, Fortune Capital, Juxiu Capital, Oriza Holdings, Ameba Capital, ZhenFund, Yunqi Partners, SIG, and Crystal Stream Capital
SoftBank's Japanese AI incubator targets $55m fund
Deepcore, a Japanese incubator focused on artificial intelligence (AI) that was set up last year by Softbank Corp, has launched a fund targeting JPY6 billion ($55 million) for seed to early-stage companies.
Pivotal raises $150m for China life sciences fund
Pivotal Bioventure Partners China, an investment platform of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, has raised $150 million for a fund that will incubate Chinese life science start-ups.
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving FoxConn, China Minsheng Investment Group, Qiming Venture Partners, GGV Capital, Matrix Partners China, Hongxiu VC, Geekbeans Capital, Albatross Venture, Node Capital, and Insight Capital
Profile: SparkLabs Group's Bernard Moon
Bernard Moon, co-founder of SparkLabs Group, has helped bring a global approach to seed investment. Early work bridging US and Korean start-up cultures clarified the value in going cross-border early
Indonesia's Alpha JWC to back PayPal incubator start-ups
Indonesia-based Alpha JWC Ventures has agreed to invest up to $5 million in PayPal’s financial technology start-up incubation program for Southeast Asia.
Next 10 secures $50m for user-generated content fund
Next 10 Ventures, a US and Singapore-based GP headed by former YouTube and Warner Bros executives, has raised $50 million for a fund focused on user-generated media content businesses.
Vietnam start-ups: A tale of two cities
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City provide Vietnam’s nascent start-up scene with a unique double-hub structure. Ecosystem gestation remains slow but it is supported by a nuanced diversity
China early-stage investment round-up
Venture capital deals involving Fortune Capital, Sina Weibo, Sequoia Capital China, ChinaEquity Group, Cornerstone Capital, Geekbeans Capital, Atlas Capital, and Heyi Capital
Indian incubator raises $12.5m for seed fund
Indian educational institution IIM Ahmedabad has raised $12.5 million for its on-campus start-up incubator and seed fund from investors including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
India’s Unitus reaches $15m first close on second impact fund
Indian VC firm Unitus Ventures (formerly Unitus Seed Fund) has reached a first close of INR1 billion ($15 million) for its second early-stage impact investment fund.