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Netease to spin out PE-backed music streaming business
Cloud Village, a music streaming business controlled by Chinese internet and gaming giant NetEase and backed by the likes of General Atlantic, Boyu Capital, and Yunfeng Capital, has filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
China shipping tech platform Yunquna raises $100m
Yunquna, a China-based online logistics platform for the shipping industry, has raised $100 million in the first tranche of a Series D round. Its valuation now surpasses $1 billion.
Vision Fund invests $175m in Korea education start-up
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has invested $175 million in Korean education app Riiid to build out its artificial intelligence (AI) capacities and advance a global expansion.
China university start-ups: Campus creativity
From DJI to Ele.me, numerous successful start-ups have emerged from universities in Greater China. VC investors recognize the talent, but they are sometimes wary of the structures
Indonesia’s TaniHub secures $65.5m Series B
TaniHub, a platform that connects farmers with customers and other agriculture industry suppliers, has closed a $65.5 million Series B round led by MDI Ventures.
China's Meridian raises $330m for renminbi fund
Chinese VC firm Meridian Capital has closed its sixth renminbi-denominated fund at RMB2.12 billion ($330 million) after four months in the market.
India's Moglix raises $120m Series E at $1b valuation
Indian B2B services player Moglix has raised a $120 million Series E round led by Falcon Edge Capital and Harvard Management Company at a valuation of $1 billion.
Indonesia's Gojek, Tokopedia merge as GoTo
Gojek and Tokopedia, two of Indonesia’s best-funded technology start-ups, have completed a merger, forming what they claim is the largest mobile on-demand services and payments platform in Southeast Asia.
SoftBank increases commitment to second Vision Fund
SoftBank Group has increased its commitment to Vision Fund 2 from $10 billion to $30 billion after a revival in the fortunes of Vision Fund 1 meant the company returned to profit over the past 12 months.
James Murdoch launches Asia-focused SPAC
James Murdoch, son of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has launched a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that will pursue deals in Southeast and South Asia, with a particular focus on India.
FountainVest leads Series B for China's MyMRO
Shanghai-based B2B e-commerce company MyMRO, a spinoff of US industrial products supplier Grainger, has raised several hundreds of million renminbi in Series B funding led by FountainVest Partners.
Deal focus: L Catterton backs Social Bella to emulate Perfect Diary
Social Bella has risen to prominence in Indonesia as an omnichannel distributor for other beauty brands, but the start-ups is now developing some of its own. L Catterton is backing this diversification drive
India retail: Bazaar bedrock
Traditional micro-retailers continue to dominate India’s consumer economy, thriving amid COVID-19, encroaching supermarkets, and the rise of e-commerce. So, why is investing in them so hard?
Nordstar, Insignia back Asia Amazon marketplace consolidator
Southeast Asia has seen its second e-commerce aggregator investment in a matter of days, with Rainforest securing $36 million in seed funding from Nordstar and Insignia Venture Partners.
Asia brand aggregator raises $40m
Una Brands, an aggregator of e-commerce brands with a presence across Asia, has launched with A$50 million ($40 million) in seed funding from 500 Startups, Kingsway Capital, 468 Capital, Presight Capital, and Global Founders Capital.
China's MSA Capital backs Saudi B2B start-up
China’s MSA Capital has joined a $30.5 million round for Saudi Arabian B2B services marketplace Sary as part of a deepening Asia-Middle East agenda.
India's Teachmint raises $16.5m Series A
Indian education technology provider Teachmint has raised a $16.5 million Series A round led by US-based specialist investor Learn Capital.
L Catterton backs Indonesia's Social Bella
L Catterton has made its first investment in Indonesia, leading a $56 million round for Social Bella, operator of the beauty industry platform Sociolla.
China audio platform Ximalaya files for US IPO
Ximalaya, China’s largest online audio platform, which counts the likes of Tencent Holdings, General Atlantic, and Goldman Sachs among its backers, has filed for a US IPO.
Ocean Link joins consortium pursuing 51job take-private
DCP Capital Partners has enlarged the consortium seeking to acquire Chinese online recruitment services platform 51job with the addition of Ocean Link Capital and the target company’s CEO.
Australia's SafetyCulture hits $1.7b valuation
Australian workplace safety platform SafetyCulture has achieved a valuation of A$2.2 billion ($1.7 million) following a A$99 million round led by Insight Partners.
Asia technology: Anatomy of a rebound
Tech investment has been on a tear in Asia, with private equity joining venture capital at the party. While COVID-19 has contributed to these dynamics, the revival is rooted in deeper structural change
Ince seeks $450 million for second China VC fund
Ince Capital is preparing to launch its second China venture capital fund with a target of $450 million, less than 18 months after closing its debut vehicle.
Buhuo Ventures completes renminbi fund restructuring
China’s Buhuo Ventures has closed its first US dollar-denominated fund at $100 million, following a GP-led cross-currency restructuring of a renminbi vehicle.