Technology
Hong Kong: Start-up central
Hong Kong ranks low in a new study of global start-up ecosystems, but has the potential to fly high. A mixture of policy, patience and positive attitude is required
India VC: Smooth waters ahead?
India’s government has made promising signals about its willingness to engage the venture capital community. GPs are optimistic, but reservations remain about the details
Deal focus: Investors exit as Tsingda refocuses on domestic IPO
OCBC's mezzanine capital unit and RRJ Capital both secure nearly 3x returns as China-based Tsingda eEdu Corp positions itself for a domestic listing
Fund focus: SBCVC moves with the times in China
Having raised $459 million for its latest venture capital fund, SBCVC is tracking the latest developments in China technology with a focus on robotics and advanced industrial applications
Hong Kong is world's fifth fastest-growing start-up ecosystem – study
Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem is expanding rapidly from a low base and was the fifth fastest-growing ecosystem globally last year, according to a new report.
Venturra leads $12m round for Malaysia's KFit
Venturra Capital has led a $12 million Series A round for Malaysia-based gym membership app KFit.
PE investors complete acquisition of US chipmaker Omnivision
Hua Capital Management, CITIC Capital and Goldstone Investment have completed their acquisition of US-listed chipmaker OmniVision Technologies in a deal worth $1.9 billion.
Sequoia closes fifth India fund at $920m
Sequoia Capital has closed its latest India fund – which has a minority allocation to Southeast Asia – at $920 million, comprising an $875 million institutional corpus and a GP commitment of $45 million.
Rakuten launches $84m Japan venture fund
Rakuten Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has launched a JPY10 billion ($84 million) fund targeting start-ups in Japan.
China Merchants Bank to invest in Didi Kuaidi
China Merchants Bank (CMB) has agreed to invest in Chinese ride-hailing app Didi Kuaidi, and to create a strategic partnership with the company as well.
Jungle Ventures adds to management team
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures, which is currently raising its second fund, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of a new CFO, director of corporate development, and head of finance.
Singapore's Eyeota raises $7m Series A round
Global Brain, Infinity e.Ventures and Project A Ventures have committed $7 million in Series A funding to Singapore-based adtech company Eyeota.
Nissay commits $1.7m to Japan's Oneteam
Nissay Capital has invested $1.7 million in Series A funding in Japanese workplace chat app Oneteam.
CVC, Lippo postpone plan to exit Indonesia's Link Net
CVC Capital Partners and the Riady family's Lippo Group have suspended plans to sell their majority stake in Link Net, an Indonesian fixed-line broadband and cable TV operator.
Deal focus: Fintech start-up WeLab seeks scale
With $160 million in Series B funding, Hong Kong-based WeLab wants to upgrade its people and technology in order to build a China online lending platform of real scale
China venture: After the boom
Venture capital investors are set for a less frenetic year in China, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing for early-stage players
Jungle, Blume in $7.2m round for India's SnapBizz
Jungle Ventures, Blume Ventures, Konly Venture and Taurus Value Creation have led a $7.2 million round for India-based retail technology developer SnapBizz.
IVP leads $30m Series C for India, US-based Qubole
Qubole, a big data firm based in India and the US, has raised a $30 million Series C round led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).
Go Scale still committed to global deals, despite Lumileds setback
Go Scale Capital will continue to target international acquisitions, including in the US, despite the termination of a deal for Philips’ LED components and automotive lighting unit due to regulatory concerns.
Apis invests in India's EPS
Apis Partners has invested $25 million in Indian payments service provider Electronic Payments and Services (EPS).
China's Innovation Works seeks $250m for Fund III
China-based early-stage investor Innovation Works, which was founded by former Google China head Kai-Fu Lee, is looking to raise $250 million for its third fund.
CITIC Capital leads round for China VR headset maker
CITIC Capital has led a RMB230 million ($35 million) round of funding for Baofeng Mojing, or Baofeng Magic Mirror, a Chinese virtual reality (VR) headset manufacturer.
SoftBank commits $14.7m to India's Housing.com
SoftBank has invested INR1 billion ($14.7 million) in Indian property listing platform Housing.com.
SAIF principals to form India early-stage fund
Two principals at SAIF Partners, Mukul Singhal and Rohit Jain, have left the company to start an early-stage venture capital fund of their own.