seed
Hong Kong X invests six local start-ups
Hong Kong X-Tech Startup Platform, an angel fund and accelerator, has made its first investments by backing six local technology companies.
Australia’s LaunchVic terminates partnership with 500 Startups
LaunchVic, a start-up investment fund backed by the government of Victoria, has ended its planned partnership with 500 Startups in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal at the Silicon Valley-based accelerator.
SparkLabs launches Taiwan accelerator
US and Korea-based venture capital firm SparkLabs Global Ventures has launched an accelerator program in Taiwan that will focus on internationalizing local technology start-ups.
Startupbootcamp launches Australia accelerator
Startupbootcamp has extended its network of industry-focused accelerators to 21 across 16 cities with the launch of a program for energy sector start-ups in Melbourne.
Singapore tech group launches $150m VC fund, incubator
Singapore-based industrial technology company ST Engineering has launched a $150 million venture capital unit and associated start-up incubator.
Angel investor launches in New Zealand
Richard Coon, a director and co-founder at private equity-backed New Zealand insurance provider Partners Life, has launched a new domestically facing venture group known as Angel Investors Marlborough (AIM).
Singapore's Spring Seeds to invest $73m in tech start-ups
Singapore-government backed Spring Seeds Capital has committed S$100 million ($73 million) to an investment program targeting domestic start-ups developing high-end technology.
Singapore university launches student venture fund
Singapore Management University (SMU) has partnered with Kairos ASEAN to launch a venture capital fund run by and for university students.
Singapore accelerators: Searching for sustainability
The flood of new arrivals in Singapore’s accelerator space means there are often too many groups chasing relatively few high-quality start-ups. Diversification and specialization is the key to survival
Government-backed Cool Japan invests in 500 Startups fund
Cool Japan Fund, a government-backed venture program for promoting cultural exports, has agreed to invest up to $10 million in a recently launched Japan-focused vehicle managed by 500 Startups.
India's Fireside reaches $28m first close on debut fund
Fireside Ventures, an Indian VC firm set up by Helion Venture Partners co-founder Kanwaljit Singh (pictured), has reached a first close of INR1.8 billion ($28 million) on its debut fund.
Lakson Investments becomes Pakistan's first VC firm
Pakistan’s Lakson Investments claims to have been awarded the country’s first venture capital license with the launch of a new fund that will target domestic start-ups.
IDG partners Unilever, AWS on India early-stage program
IDG Ventures India has joined Unilever Ventures and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for an initiative aimed at supporting early-stage technology start-ups in India.
Deal focus: IP Group targets tech commercialization
IP Group has built a business in the UK and US working with universities to turn academic ideas into investable business models. It has now raised $149 million for expansion in Australia and New Zealand
Artesian closes $19.5m Australian cleantech fund
Australian venture capital firm Artesian Venture Partners has raised A$26 million ($19.5 million) for a domestic clean energy fund with a A$10 million cornerstone investment from the government’s A$1 billion Clean Energy Innovation Fund.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise to launch Singapore incubator
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) will launch an incubator program in collaboration with Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) as part of plans to invest $140 million in the city state over the next five years.
Fund focus: SeedPlus focuses on LP selectivity
Jungle Ventures' SeedPlus took its time accumulating $18 million from a set of LPs that can offer particular value-add to complement an operationally experienced investment team
Chinese universities and technology: Making a market
While US universities use licensing to commercialize technologies, their Chinese peers play a more active role in cultivating start-ups because the country has yet to develop a supporting ecosystem
SeedPlus Singapore closes debut fund at $18m
SeedPlus Singapore, a Southeast Asia-focused seed fund run by Jungle Ventures, has closed its debut fund at S$25 million ($18 million).
DeClout launches incubator in Singapore
DeClout, a holding company focused on developing IT and cloud computing technology providers, has launched a start-up incubator via its venture capital arm in Singapore.
VCs back Filipino fintech start-up
Philippines-based financial technology company First Circle has received $2.5 million from a group of VC firms, including a seed stage investment unit of emerging markets microfinance group Accion International.
IFC set to back India's Pi Ventures
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is considering a commitment of $3 million to the artificial intelligence (AI)-focused debut fund of Indian VC investor Pi Ventures.
500 Startups opens Australia office
US-based early-stage investor 500 Startups has agreed to establish its Australian headquarters in Melbourne after receiving financial support from the state government of Victoria.
Australian seed investor launches $50m global fund
Australia-based VC investor Followtheseed has launched a $50 million fund to invest in global early-stage start-ups.