Technology
Matrix, Ceyuan invest $22m in China's Elens
Elens Data, a Beijing-based developer of artificial intelligence (AI) text and natural language analysis solutions, has raised RMB150 million ($22 million) in a Series A round led by Matrix Partners China with participation from Ceyuan Ventures.
Japan's NTT launches $500m global VC fund
Japanese telecommunications giant NTT Corporation has set up $500 million global venture capital fund that will focus on digital technologies.
500 Startups closes Vietnam fund at $14m
500 Startups has closed its Vietnam-focused early-stage VC fund at $14 million, beating a target of $10 million.
China’s Ucommune gets $200m in Series D round
Chinese co-working space operator Ucommune, formerly named UrWork, has raised $200 million in Series D funding led by All-Stars Investment, with participation from CEC Capital.
Operational value-add: Sweat equity
As Asian GPs trial a range of operational value-add strategies with an eye on shifting market dynamics, they are discovering that helping portfolio companies requires self-inspection
Operational value-add: Sign of the times
Budding interest in operational value-add marks a new level of maturity in Asian private equity. Trial-and-error experimentation has progressed slower than the macro motivators
MassMutual sets up $50m Southeast Asia VC fund
US-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has established a $50 million Southeast Asia-focused VC fund via its in-house financial technology investment unit.
Joy Capital seeks $300m for China opportunity fund
Joy Capital, a Chinese VC firm that spun out from Legend Capital, has launched a domestic opportunity fund with a target of $300 million.
Hyundai, Yield Capital launch $100m energy VC fund
Korea’s Hyundai Motor and Yield Capital, an investment unit of Beijing-Tsinghua Industrial R&D Institute, have launched a $100 million VC fund focused on hydrogen energy.
Korea's BonAngels secures $50m for third VC fund
South Korea-based BonAngels Venture Partners has raised $50 million for its third early-stage fund.
India's IvyCap launches $8m angel fund
India’s IvyCap Ventures has launched an angel fund targeting INR600 million ($8.2 million) that will make seed to Series A-stage investments.
Bain seeks $3.5b for fourth Asia fund
Bain Capital Private Equity has set a target of $3.5 billion for its fourth Asia fund and is expected to complete a first and final close in December.
Australia's Quintet invests in local recruitment business
Quintet Partners, an Australian investment firm established by a former Citigroup banker, has acquired a significant stake in Talent, a locally based staffing and recruiting company focused on the IT sector.
Australia's NAB commits $36m to VC fund
National Australia Bank (NAB), has committed an additional A$50 million ($36 million) to its venture capital unit for investments in financial technology companies through 2020.
Korea macro: Tempered tiger
Korea’s economic momentum has simmered down as demographic, political and industrial evolutions suggest a structural decline. Investors are monitoring the transition with a conditional sense of optimism
Hyundai backs Series B for India's Revv
Hyundai Motor has led a $14.2 million Series B funding round for Revv, an Indian car rental start-up backed by Edelweiss Private Equity.
GLP invests $58m in China's Wangjiahuan
GLP, a private equity-owned warehouse operator based in Singapore, has invested RMB400 million ($58 million) in Chinese agricultural products distributor Wangjiahuan.
Golden Equator, KIP launch Southeast Asia tech fund
Singapore’s Golden Equator Capital and Korea Investment Partners (KIP) have jointly launched a S$120 million ($88 million) Southeast Asia technology fund focused on start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
World Innovation Lab raises $521m for US-Japan fund
World Innovation Lab (WiL) has raised $521 million for a US-Japan venture capital fund.
China's Genesis targets $600m for second fund
Genesis Capital, a Chinese venture capital firm established by Richard Peng, formerly head of M&A at Tencent Holdings, is targeting $600 million for its second fund.
Pivotal raises $150m for China life sciences fund
Pivotal Bioventure Partners China, an investment platform of Hong Kong conglomerate Nan Fung Group, has raised $150 million for a fund that will incubate Chinese life science start-ups.
GIC backs $117m Asia co-working platform
Singapore’s GIC Private has joined co-working space provider JustCo and local developer Frasers Property to establish a $117 million platform that will focus on co-working space investments across Asia Pacific.
EQT closes Asia mid-market fund at $800m
EQT Partners has closed its Asia-focused middle market private equity fund on target with $800 million in commitments.
Alibaba leads $600m round for China’s SenseTime
Alibaba Group has led a $600 million Series C round for China's SenseTime, said to be the largest-ever fundraise by an artificial intelligence (AI) company globally.