Technology
TA buys stake in India SaaS provider RateGain
TA Associates has taken a minority stake in RateGain, an India-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that works with clients in the hospitality and travel sector.
Mobile app analytics firm App Annie raises $55m from VCs
App Annie, a mobile app analytics platform that was set up in Beijing but has since expanded globally, has raised a Series D round of funding worth $55 million, led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
Cheetah Mobile plans fund to support Taiwan start-ups
Cheetah Mobile, formerly Kingsoft Corporation’s internet security software division, plans to set up a NT$100 million ($3.1 million) fund to invest in Taiwan-based mobile internet start-ups.
Japanese 3D printing start-up raises $3.6m
A consortium of venture capital investors has committed JPY400 million ($3.6 million) to JMC, a Japanese casting and 3D printing services firm.
Ally Bridge leads $25m round for Shanghai Hua Medicine
Ally Bridge Group, a healthcare-focused PE firm, has led a $25 million Series B round of funding for Hua Medicine, a Shanghai-based clinical-stage biotech company.
Japan’s NTT Docomo Ventures backs France-based Sunpartner
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the eponymous Japanese telecom giant, has taken part in a EUR4 million ($4.7 million) round for Sunpartner Technologies, a French solar panel manufacturer.
Xeraya, Spruce in $150m first close on second life sciences fund
Khazanah Nasional-controlled Xeraya Capital and Spruce Capital Partners have reached a first close of $150 million on MLS Capital Fund II, successor to the vintage Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund, which is now fully allocated.
BAI invests in China mobile advertising solutions provider
Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI), an investment arm of German media giant Bertelsmann, has committed $10 million in Series A funding to OptAim, a Chinese mobile marketing solution provider.
India's Lenskart raises $22m in Series C funding
Valyoo Technologies, the Indian start-up behind online eyewear retailer Lenskart, has raised INR13.5 billion ($21.9 million) in Series C funding led by TPG Capital's growth unit.
IDG commits $3m to Chinese weather data generator
IDG Capital Partners has acquired a 10% stake in Bloomsky, a subsidiary of China’s Andon Health which develops weather data sensors, for $3 million.
Crystal Stream leads $10m round for delivery start-up Lalamove
Crystal Stream Capital has led a $10 million for Lalamove, a Hong Kong-based mobile app for on-demand delivery services.
GGV leads $10m round for drone maker EHang
GGV Capital has led a $10 million Series A round for EHang, a Chinese consumer drone manufacturer.
Japan’s Incubate Fund forms $92m Internet of Things vehicle
Tokyo-based early-stage VC firm Incubate Fund has raised JPY11 billion ($91.2 million) for a vehicle that will support Japanese companies involved in the Internet of Things (IoT).
China’s Xiaomi confirms $1.1b funding round
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has raised $1.1 billion further round led by Hong Kong-based All-Stars Investment. DST Advisors, Singapore’s GIC Private, Hopu Investment Management and Yunfeng Capital have also participated.
CDH halts investment on China VC fund
CDH Investments has halted deployment of its latest China venture capital fund in the wake of several departures.
Tsing Capital, WLR China fund join $44.5m round for Phononic
Tsing Capital and WLR China Energy Infrastructure Fund have participated in a Series D round of funding worth $44.5 million for Phononic, a US-based manufacturer of solid-state cooling and refrigeration devices.
Globis invests $6.7m in Japan's Neo Career
Globis Capital Partners has led a JPY800 million ($6.7 million) round of investment in Neo Career, a Japanese firm that offers online staffing and recruitment services.
Qualcomm Ventures invests $40m in Chinese start-ups
Qualcomm Ventures - the eponymous VC arm of the US semiconductor giant - has invested $40 million in four Chinese start-ups and Walden International's latest VC fund.
China social mobile app Pengpeng raises $17m from VCs
Pengpeng, a Chinese social mobile gaming app, has raised $17 million in a Series B round of funding from KPCB China, Ventech Capital and Magic Stone Alternative Investments.
India's Linkstreet raises Series A round from Faering
Faering Capital has provided a Series A round of funding for Linkstreet, an Indian start-up that has developed a cloud-based video learning and collaboration platform for the healthcare and education sectors.
NEA commits $5m to India's RezNext
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) has invested $5 million in India's RezNext Global Solution, a platform for managing hotel bookings.
Indian states ban VC-backed taxi apps following rape case
India's state governments have been instructed to ban all unregistered web-based taxi booking services - impacting VC-backed start-ups like Ola and TaxiforSure - following a rape involving a driver contracted by US-based Uber.
Fosun’s Kinzon Capital leads $10.3m round for US start-up
Kinzon Capital, a Silicon Valley-based VC arm of Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, has led a $10.3 million funding round for Connect, a start-up that helps manage social networking and mobile contacts.
Carlyle, Unison to exit Japan semiconductor firm Covalent
The Carlyle Group and Unison Capital are to exit their stake in Covalent Materials, a Japanese semiconductor materials manufacturer, to US ceramics group CoorsTek.