TMT
Deal focus: Dianping-Meituan war reaches logical conclusion
Following the announced merger of Dianping and Meituan, further consolidation is expected in China's online-to-offline (O2O) services market
Fund focus: Venturra taps experience for SE Asia start-ups
Venturra Partners will draw on its founders' investment and entrepreneurial experience, plus a strategic connection to Lippo Group, as it helps Southeast Asian start-ups achieve scale
KKR, Alibaba, Ping An commit $300m to 58.com's O2O unit
KKR, Alibaba Group and Ping An Group have agreed to provide $300 million in Series A funding to 58 Daojia, the online-to-offline (O2O) local services platform of US-listed Chinese classifieds site 58.com.
Temasek, Silver Lake back Dell in $67b acquisition of EMC
Singapore's Temasek Holdings is supporting the $67 billion acquisition of data storage and cloud computing company EMC Corporation by US-based computer maker Dell. Other backers include Silver Lake and MSD Partners.
3Q analysis: Digital dreamers
Early- and growth-stage technology deals dominate the China investment charts; middle market fundraising enjoys a rebound; private equity investors turn to trade sales as the public markets flounder
Vertex Ventures appoints India head
Vertex Ventures, a VC firm controlled by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has appointed Ben Mathias as managing director and head of India. He joins from New Enterprise Associates.
CMC Capital Partners to raise $1b China media fund
China’s CMC Capital Partners, a private equity firm set up by Ruigang Li, formerly president of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), is looking to raise $1 billion for a media-focused fund.
PE-backed Giant to re-list in Shenzhen via reverse merger
Chinese online game developer Giant Interactive Group, which was taken private last year by a consortium of PE investors in conjunction with the company’s CEO, is seeking to re-list in Shenzhen through a reverse merger.
Sequoia, Kalaari commit $10m to India's Grabhouse
Sequoia Capital and Kalaari Capital have committed $10 million in Series B funding to Indian start-up Cryptopy Technologies, the developer of rental property listing platform Grabhouse.
China internet players Dianping, Meituan agree merger
Rival Chinese online-to-offline (O2O) services platforms Dianping and Meituan – both of which have received substantial private equity and strategic funding – have agreed to merge. It is thought the combined entity would be worth at least $15 billion.
China’s CreditEase reaches first close on Israel fund
CreditEase, a leading Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) microcredit lender, has reached a first close of $30 million on its debut Israel-focused fund.
Golden Gate leads $3.3m Series A for Singapore's HipVan
Golden Gate Ventures has led a S$4.7 million ($3.3 million) Series A round for HipVan, a Singapore-based online store for designer furniture.
Australian design platform Canva raises $15m in Series A
Canva, an Australian online design platform, has raised $15 million in a Series A round of funding led by Felicis Ventures alongside existing investors Blackbird Ventures and Matrix Partners.
Convergence, Golden Gate in Series A for Singapore's MoneySmart
Singapore-based personal finance portal MoneySmart has raised S$2.8 million ($2 million) in a Series A round led by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Media Fund, with participation by Convergence Ventures, OPT SEA and Golden Gate Ventures.
Deal focus: H&Q’s reinvigoration factor
H&Q Asia Pacific's Silicon Valley-based innovation hub is intended to help established Asian companies find new avenues of growth in an increasingly challenging commercial landscape
Peepul Capital commits $15m to Indian online jeweler Voylla
Peepul Capital has committed $15 million to Indian online jewelry and accessory retailer Voylla.
Vertex raises $600m for China, US, Israel investments
Vertex Ventures, the VC arm of Singapore's Temasek Holdings, has received $600 million from its parent to invest in start-ups in China, the US and Israel.
Alibaba re-ups in India’s Paytm
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and its online finance affiliate Ant Financial Services Group have made a further investment in Paytm, India's largest mobile payment and commerce platform.
Sequoia, SAIF in $36m Series B for India's PepperTap
PepperTap, an India-based hyperlocal online grocery delivery start-up, has raised a $36 million Series B round led by online marketplace Snapdeal, with participation from existing investors Sequoia Capital and SAIF Partners.
China bus service start-up gets $31m from VCs
Dada Bus, a mobile-enabled provider of bus services in China, has raised RMB200 million ($31 million) from Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) and newly-established VC firm Jingqiao Capital.
PE-backed Infogain to buy India's Blue Star IT operations
Infogain, the US-based IT consulting firm backed by ChrysCapital, has agreed to acquire the IT operations of India's Blue Star Infotech (BSIL) for INR181 million ($27 million).
Deal focus: CDC backs frontier e-commerce strategy
Daraz gets $55 million to build out its online retail marketplace in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar
Tiantu leads Series B for China home renovation platform
Consumer-focused GP Tiantu Capital has led a Series B round of funding for Mei Jia Bang, a Chinese start-up that provides online interior design solutions.
China’s Didi Kuaidi invests in Indian peer Ola
China-based ride-hailing app operator Didi Kuaidi has invested an undisclosed sum in Indian counterpart Ola, as part of its latest round of funding.