TMT
Google commits $10b for India digitization effort
Google will launch a INR750 billion ($10 billion) fund to make equity, operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments that seek to increase the pace of digitization in India.
Qualcomm Ventures invests $97m in India’s Jio Platforms
Qualcomm Ventures has agreed to invest INR7.3 billion ($97 million) in India’s Jio Platforms, the holding company for various internet and telecom assets owned by Reliance Industries.
China's Newlink raises $128m Series D
Newlink Group, operator of a platform that helps drivers in China locate the best value gas stations, has raised a RMB900 million ($128 million) Series D round led by CICC Capital. Xiaomi Corporation also participated.
China gay dating app Blued raises $85m in US IPO
BlueCity Holdings, the VC-backed holding company for Chinese gay dating platform Blued, traded strongly after raising $84.8 million through a NASDSAQ IPO.
Sequoia leads $100m Series C for China's Kuaidian
Kuaidian, a Chinese interactive content provider, has raised close to $100 million in Series C funding led by Sequoia Capital China. Existing investors GGV Capital and Morningside Venture Capital re-upped.
CLSA looks to connect wealthy investors with unicorns
CLSA, the international arm of China-based brokerage CITIC Securities, has launched a strategy to offer high net worth clients investment opportunities in late-stage private companies in Asia.
China IPOs: Star attraction
Having previously focused on offshore IPOs, China managers with US dollar funds are now considering the Star Market. But going onshore means more regulation as well as high valuations
Openspace completes first close on Southeast Asia VC fund
Openspace Ventures has achieved a first close of more than $90 million on its third Southeast Asia fund, which has an overall target of $200 million.
Indonesia's Social Bella raises $58m Series E
Social Bella, an Indonesian online services provider for the beauty and personal care industry, has raised $58 million in Series E funding.
China’s Unity Ventures hits first close on US dollar fund
Chinese venture capital firm Unity Ventures - also known as Jiuhe - has reached a first close of $50 million on its debut US dollar-denominated fund. The vehicle has an overall target of $100 million.
Software vs non-software: Digital distractions
Venture capital investors gravitate towards software start-ups, attracted by dynamic founding teams and readily scalable propositions. But should they be devoting more time and resources to hardware and biotech?
Deal focus: Ascent envisions 10-year Myanmar play
In internet service provider Frontiir, Ascent Capital believes it has a portfolio company that can deliver profit and positive social impact in Myanmar
Bond Capital backs India education platform Byju's
Bond Capital, the technology investment firm established by Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker, has struck its debut deal in India with a commitment to online learning provider Byju’s.
CLSA acquires Japan household jobs marketplace
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired Assist, a Japanese marketplace that facilitates sourcing helpers for daily household jobs.
China's Agora more than doubles in value after $350m US IPO
Agora.io, a real-time voice and video communication platform established by Tony Zhao, formerly CTO of Chinese social networking player YY.com, saw its stock gain 151% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $350 million IPO.
China LGBTQ investments: Pink power
There has been little VC investment in Chinese LGBTQ social platforms since 2017 due to regulatory concerns. Will gay dating site Blued’s US IPO reignite interest in the space?
Deal focus: Running the CFIUS gauntlet for Grindr
Grindr, America's most popular LGBTQ dating app, was only put up for sale because its Chinese owner violated foreign investment regulations. San Vicente's subsequent $560 million acquisition faced intense scrutiny
Fund focus: Beenext targets a world beyond the mirrors
Beenext Capital Management has expanded its LP base while maintaining fund size discipline. This is born of a philosophy that capacity for cross-pollination is more important than capacity for deployment
Australia's Canva raises $60m at $6b valuation
Canva, an Australian graphic design platform, has raised $60 million in VC funding, almost doubling its valuation to $6 billion. It attributed the growth to a shift online amid COVID-19.
Deal focus: Yidui delivers love by video
Sky9 Capital and Xiaomi have thrown their support behind a Chinese video-dating platform designed for Generation Z, complete with virtual meeting rooms, live audiences, and mechanisms for crashing other people's dates
Five V buys New Zealand software developer
Australian private equity firm Five V Capital has acquired a controlling stake in New Zealand employee management software provider Totara for an undisclosed sum.
China gay dating app Blued pursues US IPO
BlueCity Holdings, the company behind Chinese gay dating platform Blued, has filed an application to list on NASDAQ, which would provide a liquidity event for several PE and VC investors.
India's Jio Platforms set for record Asia growth capital fundraise
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has agreed to invest INR113.6 billion ($1.5 billion) in India’s Jio Platforms. This takes its overall funding to INR1.15 trillion, the largest single growth capital haul for an Asian technology company.
Deal focus: Indonesia’s GoPlay changes the channel
Golden Gate Ventures is backing GoPlay, a media streaming spin-out from Indonesia's GoJek, to tap an underserved Southeast Asian audience with local recreations of popular international TV shows