Softbank
Vision Fund backs Sinovation's AI consulting business
AInnovation, an artificial intelligence (AI) consulting business established by Sinovation Ventures, has completed Series D funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund II. The size of the deal was not disclosed.
China ride-hailing giant Didi files for US IPO
Chinese ride-hailing platform operator Didi, which has raised over $20 billion in private funding during its nine-year history and is valued at more than $60 billion, has filed to list in the US.
H Capital leads $300m round for China car trading platform
Chehaoduo, operator of China auto trading platforms Guazi and Maodou, which specialize in used and new cars, respectively, has raised $300 million in funding led by H Capital at a valuation of more than $10 billion.
China grocery players Dingdong, Miss Fresh file for US IPOs
Competing Chinese online grocery delivery platforms Dingdong Macai and Miss Fresh, recipients of more than $3 billion in aggregate private funding, have both filed to list in the US.
China renovation materials trading platform raises $400m
Chubby Bear, a Shanghai-based B2B platform that matches buyers with suppliers of renovation materials, has raised $400 million across two tranches of Series C funding.
China trucking platform Manbang files for US IPO
Manbang, a China trucking business that claims to be the world’s largest digital freight platform, has filed for a US IPO. The company achieved a valuation of $12 billion in its most recent funding round six months ago.
Vision Fund leads Series C for India-founded Zeta
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a $250 million round for Zeta, an Indian-founded and now US-headquartered banking software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider, at a valuation of $1.4 billion.
Vision Fund invests $175m in Korea education start-up
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has invested $175 million in Korean education app Riiid to build out its artificial intelligence (AI) capacities and advance a global expansion.
China online education player Zhangmen targets US listing
Zhangmen, a private equity-backed Chinese online K-12 education platform specializing in one-to-one and small-class tuition, has filed for a US IPO.
China HR SaaS player Beisen raises $260m
Beisen, China’s largest integrated human resources software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, has raised $260 million in Series F funding. It is said to be the largest-ever round in this segment of enterprise services.
SoftBank increases commitment to second Vision Fund
SoftBank Group has increased its commitment to Vision Fund 2 from $10 billion to $30 billion after a revival in the fortunes of Vision Fund 1 meant the company returned to profit over the past 12 months.
Vision Fund leads $330m investment in China grocery platform
Dingdong Macai, a China-based online fresh produce delivery business, has raised $330 million in an extended Series D round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
Southeast Asia's Grab to merge with SPAC at $30.4b valuation
Southeast Asia-focused ride hailing and local services platform Grab has agreed to go public in the US through a merger with a special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC) at an enterprise valuation of $30.4 billion.
Vision Fund leads $300m round for India's Meesho
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has led a $300 million round for Meesho, India’s leading social e-commerce start-up, at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
Vision Fund, BlackRock lead Series D for Singapore's Trax
Trax, a Singapore-headquartered start-up that uses computer vision technology to help retailers link sales to in-store and on-shelf positioning, has secured $640 million in Series E funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and BlackRock.
Japan's YJ Capital, Line Ventures merge, launch $274m fund
Japan’s YJ Capital, recently rebranded as Z Venture Capital (ZVC), has launched a JPY30 billion ($274 million) following a merger with Line Ventures.
Singapore’s PatSnap raises $300m Series E
Singapore and UK-based market intelligence and analytics provider PatSnap has raised a $300 million Series E round led by SoftBank Vision Fund II and Tencent Holdings.
Korea's Coupang gains 41% on debut after $4.5b US IPO
BlackRock Private Equity Partners received proceeds of $936 million through a partial exit from Korean e-commerce business Coupang, which raised $4.55 billion in its US IPO. The stock gained 41% on debut.
VC-backed Appier files for Japan IPO
Appier, a Taiwan-based advertising technology provider, has filed for a JPY26.4 billion ($250 million) Japan IPO. It sets up exits for several VC investors, including Sequoia Capital.
Korean e-commerce player Coupang set for US listing
Coupang, a Korean e-commerce business that has secured approximately $3.5 billion in private funding over the past decade, has filed for an IPO in the US.
Match buys VC-backed Korean social platform for $1.7b
Hyperconnect, a Korean social media platform backed by Altos Ventures and SoftBank Ventures Korea, has agreed to an acquisition by online dating giant Match Group for $1.73 billion in cash and stock.
Aspex leads $200m Series E for Hong Kong's Klook
Aspex Management has led a $200 million Series E round for Klook as the Hong Kong travel app pivots to domestic holiday services during a freeze in international tourism.
Indonesian stockbroker Ajaib raises $25m Series A
Horizons Ventures, which is controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, and Indonesia’s Alpha JWC Ventures have led a $25 million Series A round for Indonesian investment platform Ajaib.
Chinese fitness app Keep raises $360m
Keep, a Chinese mobile app that provides fitness training programs, has raised $360 million in Series F funding led by SoftBank Vision Fund.