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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.
India’s VC-backed Zomato acquires US-based Urbanspoon
Zomato, a VC-backed restaurant search service based in India, has acquired US-based counterpart Urbanspoon as it seeks to accelerate growth in overseas markets.
China online payment site Aixuedai raises $40m Series A round
Aixuedai, a Chinese online payment platform that finances purchases of consumer electronics, has completed a $40 million Series A round of funding.
China e-commerce player WoWo files for US IPO
WoWo, which came to prominence as operator of the 55tuan group-buying site before expanding into a broader entertainment and lifestyle-focused e-commerce platform, has filed for a US IPO.
JD, Tencent invest $1.55b in Chinese online auto platform
Chinese online retailer JD.com and its investor Tencent Holdings have formed strategic partnership with Bitauto, committing $1.55 billion in the auto e-commerce operator and its investment unit.
Alibaba to invest in Indian e-commerce, payments platform
Alibaba Group has agreed to invest at least $550 million in One97 Communications, owner of India-based mobile commerce platform and payments solution provider Paytm, which has several venture capital backers.
Google Capital backs India real estate platform CommonFloor
Google Capital has provided a new round of funding for CommonFloor.com, an India-based property listings website.
China food delivery app Line0 raises $30m
Chinese food delivery mobile app Line0 has completed a Series B round of funding worth $30 million, led by Tencent Holdings. Existing investors Sequoia Capital and Gobi Partners also participated.
DST, Iconiq join Series A round for Hong Kong P2P lender WeLab
DST Global founder Yuri Milner, Iconiq Capital and a joint venture between China Post and TOM Group have been added to Hong Kong-based internet finance start-up WeLab’s Series A round, taking the total raised to $20 million.
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.
IDG, Vertex lead $52.5m round for NetDragon’s online education unit
Best Assistant Education, an online education unit of China games developer NetDragon Websoft, has raised a $52.5 million Series A round led by IDG Capital Partners, Temasek Holdings-owned Vertex Venture and Shenzhen-listed animation producer Alpha Animation.
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.
Xiaomi: The view from the top
Chinese smart phone manufacturer Xiaomi has become the world’s most valuable start-up, following a $1.1 billion round. Does its growth trajectory tally with the $45 billion price tag?
Rocket Internet, PLDT set up online payments platform
Rocket Internet and Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) have agreed to form a joint venture mobile payments platform with a focus on emerging markets.
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.
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.
Carlyle to pay $483m for GE's AsiaSat stake, launch take-private
The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire General Electric’s (GE) interest in Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) for up to HK$3.75 billion ($483 million) and then make a buyout offer for the Hong Kong-listed company.
PE investors sell Pacnet to Australia’s Telstra for $697m
Clearwater Capital Partners, Spinnaker Capital Group and Ashmore Investment Management have agreed to exit undersea cable provider Pacnet to Australia’s Telstra Corp. for approximately $697 million, including $400 million in debt.
India's Flipkart raises $700m round
Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart has completed another round of funding worth $700 million from a combination of new and existing investors. The company has now raised $1.9 billion in 2014 and around $2.8 billion since inception.
China's Baidu confirms investment in Uber
Chinese search engine Baidu has confirmed that it is the latest investor in Uber, the online car-ordering service that has raised an estimated $3.3 billion since its inception.
Hony takes a trip to Tuniu
A private funding round was not Tuniu’s original plan. Earlier this month, the US-listed Chinese online package tour provider informed regulators that it wanted to raise $100 million via a public offering.
Five trends for 2015
After a mixed 2013, Asian private equity has enjoyed an impressive 2014. But what do the next 12 months have in store? Here are some ideas…