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TA Associates backs tech enablement start-up
Accion Labs, a US-headquartered start-up with Asian operations that helps companies implement emerging technologies, has received a strategic growth investment by TA Associates.
Chinese smart IT services provider Udesk raises $35m
Udesk, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider focused on customer service systems, has raised RMB250 million ($35 million) in an extended Series C round from an undisclosed US hedge fund.
Everest leads Series A for Chinese map provider
Fengxing Zhitu, a subsidiary of Chinese courier company SF Express, has raised a RMB100 million ($14 million) Series A round led by Everest Venture Capital. Oriza Holdings, Maison Capital, and Jade Capital also took part.
Chinese optical semiconductor maker raises $14m
Bosheng Guangdian, a Chinese optical semiconductor maker targeting the smart phone market, has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) from a group featuring Vision Knight Capital.
Deal focus: Neolix finds its self-driving niche
Unable to achieve the cost-effectiveness of America's driverless grocery delivery services in China, Neolix refocused on transporting meals. Investor Yunqi Partners believes simple solutions mean quicker commercialization
India's Oyo closes Series F round at $1.5b
Indian hotel platform Oyo has concluded a $1.5 billion Series F round by raising $807 million from RA Hospitality Holdings, an entity controlled by founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal, and SoftBank Vision Fund.
Vision Plus hits $400m first close on third China fund
Vision Plus Capital has completed the first closing on its third US dollar-denominated fund with $400 million in commitments. The vehicle comprises separate venture and growth equity capital pools.
Korean second-hand goods marketplace gets $44m
Several Korean investors have committed KRW56 billion ($44 million) in funding to Bungaejangter, a local C2C mobile marketplace specializing in second-hand goods.
Deal focus: Spinny aims to be more than a marketplace
Spinny - alongside industry peer Truebil - has taken the used car sales model that works for Carvana in the US and applied it to India. Combining online reach with offline legitimacy is the key
Deal focus: 51CTO's prescient training pivot
Chinese IT platform 51CTO switched from online media to online training five years ago and hasn't looked back. With $20 million in Series C funding, the company wants to sustain its rise
Lightstone leads $50m Series B for Indian debt marketplace
LGT Lightstone Aspada has led a $50 million Series B round for Vivriti Capital, which operates CredAvenue, an Indian platform that helps companies raise debt.
Anchor invests in entertainment unit of Korea's Kakao
Anchor Equity Partners is paying KRW209.8 billion ($163 million) for an approximately 13% stake in the music and entertainment division of Korean internet giant Kakao.
Chinese insurtech player Insgeek gets $25m Series C
SIG and China Renaissance New Economy Fund have co-led a $25 million Series C round for Insgeek, a Chinese insurance technology specialist.
Everest leads $24m round for China's Cloudwise
Chinese enterprise digital solutions provider Cloudwise has raised $24 million in an extended Series D round led by Everest Venture Capital. Sequoia Capital China, WestSummit Capital, ASG and Koala Fund also participated.
Q&A: Prosus Ventures' Martin Tschopp
Martin Tschopp, head of Prosus Ventures – formerly a VC arm of South African media conglomerate Naspers – discusses future plans and emerging internet consumer trends
Singapore's Credence hits $50m first close on debut VC fund
Credence Partners, a growth-stage private equity firm in Singapore, has achieved a $50 million first close for a venture capital fund that will invest in Southeast Asia. The full target is $100 million.
Burda Principal promotes Albert Shyy to Asia head
Burda Principal Investments (BPI), the investment arm of European technology and media company Hubert Burda Media, has promoted Albert Shyy to managing director and head of Asia.
Sequoia leads $30m Series B in Chinese RPA player
Encoo Technology, a Chinese robot process automation (RPA) service provider, has raised a $30 million Series B round led by Sequoia Capital China. GSR Ventures and Future Capital re-upped, while Shenzhen Venture Capital came in as a new investor.
Fund focus: Monk's Hill rides SE Asia momentum
Southeast Asia is divided by language, culture and economic systems, but Kuo-Yi Lim of Monk's Hill Ventures contends there is now enough evidence that start-ups can go cross-border and achieve meaningful scale
Temasek leads extended round for Singapore's ShopBack
ShopBack, a Singapore-based rewards platform that generates sales for online and offline retailers, has completed a $75 million extended round of funding led by Temasek Holdings.
VC-backed Chinese driverless delivery start-up gets $28m
Addor Capital and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Lixiang Automotive have led a RMB200 million ($28 million) in an extended Series A round for Neolix, a domestic unmanned distribution start-up.
Indian payment network for teens raises $4.7m
A group of investors including Y Combinator, Sequoia Capital India and angel investors have contributed $4.7 million in funding to FamPay, a social network for Indian teenagers centered on a parent-supervised payment service.
VCs back Chinese expense management start-up
Fenbeitong, an enterprise payment and expense management services provider based in Beijing, has raised $36 million in an extended Series B round led by Ribbit Capital, Eight Roads Ventures and Glade Brook Capital.
Chinese restaurant robot supplier raises $28m Series B
Keenon Robotics, a Chinese manufacturer of robots for use indoors, has raised a RMB200 million ($28 million) in Series B funding led by Source Code Capital, Walden International and Shanghai Kechuang Fund, an investment arm of state-owned Shanghai International...