Technology
DCM invests $3m in China’s Udesk
DCM has committed $3 million in a Series A round of funding to Udesk, a China-based customer service outsourcing business.
Asian LPs back Israel-based Viola’s $250m fund
At least six Asian investors are LPs in the latest fund being raised by Israel-based technology growth capital and buyout firm Viola Private Equity, which reached its targeted amount of $250 million.
China’s Ninebot raises $80m, acquires Segway
Ninebot, a China-based electric scooter manufacturer, has bought its US-based rival Segway for an undisclosed sum and raised $80 million in Series A funding.
China virtual reality headset maker raises $10m
Baofeng Mojing, a Chinese virtual reality headset manufacturer, has raised $10 million in a Series A round of funding led by film producer Huayi Brothers Media.
Tiger Global leads $5m round for Indian services marketplace
Indian local services marketplace LocalOye has raised a $5 million Series A round of funding from Tiger Global Management and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Japan's KDDI buys majority stake in VC-backed Luxa
Japanese telecom giant KDDI has acquired a majority stake in VC-backed premium group-buying site Luxa.
Go Scale’s China angle wins Philips deal
The auction of Dutch electronics giant Philips’ LED components and automotive lighting unit that began in June of last year drew bids from a host of global buyout firms. Bain Capital and a KKR-CVC Capital Partners consortium are among those said to...
TVM reaches $50m first close on China pharma fund
TVM Capital Life Science has reached a first close of $50 million on its debut China fund, which will invest in Western companies with a view to obtaining licenses for development and commercialization in China.
Baidu invests in another China ride-sharing app
Baidu has made its second investment in the Chinese ride-sharing app space in a matter of days, leading a Series C round for Tiantian Yongche, with participation from Sequoia Capital.
SoftBank joins $13.3m Series B for Japan e-commerce app
Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group, credit card firm Credit Saison, and Makoto Takaono - editor-in-chief of Forbes Japan - have invested JPY 1.6 billion ($13.3 million) in Origami, a Tokyo-based mobile commerce platform.
Japanese biotech firm targets $42m venture fund
An investment unit of Japanese biotech company Euglena is looking to raise JPY5 billion ($41.5 million) for a VC vehicle it has launched alongside SMBC Nikko - which is controlled by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group - and science start-up incubator Leave...
Baidu leads Series C for China ride-sharing app 51yongche
Chinese search provider Baidu has led a Series C round of funding for 51yongche, a China-based ride-sharing mobile app. Sequoia Capital also participated.
DST leads $315m round for India taxi-booking service Ola
DST Global has led a $315 million investment in ANI Technologies, operator of India taxi-booking platform Ola, alongside existing investors Tiger Global Management and Steadview Capital.
Legend leads Series C round for China’s UCloud
Legend Capital has led a Series C round worth approximately $100 million for UCloud, a Chinese cloud service provider, with participation from VMS Investment Fund, DCM, Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) and GX Capital.
China installment payment platform Qufenqi raises $100m
Qufenqi, a Chinese electronics retailer that allows buyers to pay in installments, has raised approximately $100 million in a new round led by Shenzhen-listed games developer Beijing Kunlun Tech.
Kinnevik re-ups in Rocket-backed emerging markets fashion group
Sweden's Investment AB Kinnevik has invested an additional EUR32 million ($34.4 million) in Global Fashion Group (GFG), an emerging markets fashion e-commerce group developed by Germany's Rocket Internet.
Intel launches accelerator to support Chinese entrepreneurs
Intel Corporation has committed RMB120 million ($19.3 million) to a China accelerator program that will help local entrepreneurs develop their business ideas.
India classifieds site Quikr raises $150m
Indian classifieds site Quikr has raised a $150 million in a round of funding led by existing investor Tiger Global Management.
GGV, Shunwei invest in China education site Xiaozhan Jiaoyu
GGV Capital and Shunwei Capital Partners have co-led a $29 million Series B round of funding for Xiaozhan Jiaoyu, a Chinese online education platform that focuses on students studying abroad.
China’s JD.com to launch equity crowdfunding platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com has launched an equity crowdfunding platform through which local entrepreneurs can raise capital from potential early-stage investors.
Everstone buys Aon Hewitt’s Asia payroll business
India and Southeast Asia-focused GP Everstone Capital has acquired Aon Hewitt’s Asia Pacific payroll business for an undisclosed sum.
China investors agree $3.3b deal for Philips LED unit
A Chinese consortium led by Go Scale Capital will buy an 80.1% stake in Philips’ combined LED components and automotive lighting unit at an enterprise valuation of $3.3 billion.
Bain-owned MYOB targets $638m in Australia IPO
MYOB, an Australian accounting software developer owned by Bain Capital, is seeking to raise up to A$833.8 million ($635.5 million) through an IPO on the Sydney bourse. The PE firm will not sell any shares in the offering.
Japan news app raises another $10m from VCs
SmartNews, the Tokyo-based start-up behind the news curation app of the same name, has raised $10 million in another round of funding led by Japanese internet gaming firm Gree.