Softbank
SoftBank exits Finland's Supercell to Tencent in $10.2b deal
Tencent Holdings has agreed to buy a majority stake in Finland-based mobile game developer Supercell, allowing SoftBank to exit its entire holding in the company in a deal valuing it at $10.2 billion.
SoftBank's embattled COO Nikesh Arora to step down
Nikesh Arora, the president and COO of Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank and the presumptive successor of CEO Masayoshi Son, will step down from his positions at the company.
China's Didi Chuxing raises $7.3b in equity, debt financing
Didi Chuxing, China’s leading ride-hailing app operator, has raised $7.3 billion in new funding, comprising $4.5 billion in equity and $2.8 billion in debt. The round is said to value the company in excess of $25 billion.
Japan VC: Outbound ambition
Japanese start-ups are looking to address global markets from day one, but few domestic venture capital firms are equipped to support cross-border strategies. Corporate VCs could provide the solution
GIC, Temasek buy $1b of Alibaba shares from SoftBank
Singapore’s GIC Private and Temasek Holdings have bought a combined $1 billion of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group’s shares, as part of an $8.9 billion share sale by Japan’s SoftBank Group.
Australia-founded BigCommerce raises $30m round
BigCommerce, an e-commerce software provider founded in Australia but now based in the US, has raised a $30 million Series E round led by GGV Capital. It has now received more than $155 million in funding.
SoftBank defends under fire COO Nikesh Arora
Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank has spoken out in defense of Nikesh Arora, its president and COO - and presumed successor to CEO Masayoshi Son - who has been accused of conflict of interest and poor investment performance.
Philippines online pawn store secures VC funding
Manila-based online pawnshop PawnHero has raised an undisclosed amount of pre-Series A funding from a group of venture backers.
India's VC-backed Oyo Rooms acquires rival Zo Rooms
Oyo Rooms, an India-based budget hotel booking app backed by SoftBank Corp. and other VCs, has acquired industry rival Zo Rooms, which counts Tiger Global Management as an investor.
Japan's SBI to lead Series B for US bitcoin exchange Kraken
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan's SBI Holdings, has agreed to lead a Series B round for US-based bitcoin exchange Kraken.
SoftBank commits $14.7m to India's Housing.com
SoftBank has invested INR1 billion ($14.7 million) in Indian property listing platform Housing.com.
China’s Wanda buys Legendary Entertainment for $3.5b
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group has bought leading Hollywood film production studio Legendary Entertainment for $3.5 billion in cash.
SoftBank leads $120m round for India's Grofers
Indian hyperlocal delivery service Grofers has raised $120 million in Series C funding led by SoftBank Corp.
India's Ola receives $500m Series F round
India ride-hailing service Ola has completed a Series F round of funding, raising $500 million at a reported valuation of around $5 billion.
Deal focus: Meili Jinrong targets P2P consumer finance
Yooli founder turns his attentions to specialist niches in China's overcrowded online peer-to-peer lending space, with support from Morningside Venture Capital and SoftBank China
SoftBank backs US-based Cybereason, supports Japan expansion
SoftBank Corp. has led a $59 million Series C round of funding for US-based Cybereason and will help the company distribute its cyber-security platform in the Japanese market.
SoftBank leads $1b round for Renren-backed US online lender
Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group has led a $1 billion Series E round of funding for Social Finance (SoFi), a Silicon Valley online lending marketplace also backed by China social networking site Renren.
Falcon Edge leads $225m round for India's Ola
Indian ride-hailing service Ola has raised $225 million in funding led by existing investor Falcon Edge Capital, in the opening tranche of a planned $500 million round.
Softbank's Nikesh Arora commits $482 million to the firm
Softbank President and COO Nikesh Arora has invested JPY60 billion ($482 million) in the firm in a personal stock market transaction.
Softbank, Foxconn, Alibaba lead $500m round for Snapdeal
SoftBank Group, Foxconn Technology Group and Alibaba Group have led a $500 million investment in Indian online marketplace Snapdeal.
SoftBank: Venture legacy
SoftBank’s direct investment activity has shifted towards later-stage deals and it is expected to remain there. But the Japanese technology giant has not given up on its VC affiliates and subsidiaries in Asia
SoftBank leads $100m round for India's Oyo Rooms
SoftBank has led a $100 million Series B round of funding for Oravel Stays, the start-up behind Indian budget hotel booking marketplace OyoRooms.
SoftBank leads $20m Series B round for US ad analytics start-up
Japan's SoftBank Corp. has led a $20m Series B round of funding for US-based ad analytics start-up Cinarra Systems.
Tech in Asia secures $4m funding round
Tech in Asia, a Singapore-based digital media company that focuses on Asian start-ups, has raised a $4 million round led by SB ISAT Fund, a $50 million vehicle backed by Japan's SoftBank and Indonesia's Indosat.