TMT
China restaurant industry supplier gets $14m Series A
China-based Zuodashi, which provides digital solutions and food accompaniments to restaurant delivery businesses, has raised RMB100 million ($14 million) in Series A round led by Hua Gai Capital.
Australia’s Canva raises $70m at $2.5b valuation
Australian graphic design start-up Canva has raised $70 million from investors including US-based General Catalyst and Bond Capital, the new vehicle of Silicon Valley veteran Mary Meeker. It values Canva at $2.5 billion.
Wu Capital leads round for Chinese vocational training business
Sanjieke, a China-based vocational training services provider, has raised an RMB130 million ($19 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Wu Capital.
Vertex raises $230m for India, Southeast Asia fund
Vertex Venture Holdings (VVH), the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has reached the initial $230 million target for its fourth Southeast Asia and India fund in a single closing.
SoftBank leads $200m round for India's Grofers
Indian online grocer Grofers has raised more than $200 million in a Series F funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
Hong Kong fintech player raises $30m Series A
Hong Kong-based OneDegree, an insurance technology start-up, has raised over $30 million for its Series A led by financial technology-focused investment firm BitRock Capital.
Q&A: MassMutual Ventures' Ryan Collins
Ryan Collins, a managing director with MassMutual Ventures, discusses being a financial rather than a strategic investor, the rise of VC in Southeast Asia, and giving entrepreneurs straight answers
Kejora closes growth fund at over $100m
Indonesian venture capital firm Kejora Ventures has closed its latest fund, a growth vehicle that will invest in technology businesses in Southeast Asia, with more than $100 million in commitments.
ION to buy majority stake in Acuris
Financial software and data platform developer ION Investment Group has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Acuris, the parent company of AVCJ, for an undisclosed amount. The deal will provide a full exit for Singapore’s GIC Private, while current...
PE investors commit $1b to JD.com's healthcare unit
A group including CITIC Private Equity, CICC Capital and Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to invest $1 billion in the healthcare unit of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, acquiring a combined stake of 14.5%.
Japan crowdfunding player raises $20m Series C
Campfire, a Japanese crowdfunding platform operator, has raised a JPY2.2 billion ($20 million) Series C round with support from Global Brain and KDDI Corporation.
Chinese online education player Baijiahulian files for US IPO
Baijiahulian, a Chinese online education platform that provides after-school tutoring services for primary and secondary school students, has filed for a US IPO. The company’s backers include Gaorong Capital.
Deal focus: BlackBuck in it for the long haul
India's Blackbuck has gained traction with a digital platform that connects truckers with shippers. Achieving greater scale means convincing veteran fleet owners that the model can work for them
Chinese AR start-up raises $17m Series B
Hiscene, a China-based manufacturer of augmented reality (AR) glasses and communication systems that also goes by the name Liangfengtai, has raised RMB120 million ($17 million) in an extended Series B round of funding.
Asia fintech player GoBear raises $80m
GoBear, an online financial products marketplace focused on young Asian consumers, has raised $80 million from its Netherlands-based sponsors Walvis Participaties and Aegon.
China AI player Megvii raises $750m Series D
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) developer Megvii Technology has raised $750 million in Series D funding led by Bank of China Group Investment. It brings the company’s valuation to around $4 billion.
Qiming re-ups in Chinese car rental platform Zuzuche
China-based third-party car rental platform Zuzuche has received Series C funding from Qiming Venture Partners.
Accel, Kalaari, Chiratae invest in India's CureFit
Indian health and fitness start-up CureFit has raised $75 million from a group of investors including Accel Partners, Kalaari Capital, and Chiratae Ventures.
Orchid, TPG-backed Duiba trades flat on Hong Kong debut
Duiba, operator of a China-based interactive advertising platform and software-as-a-service (SaaS) management system for online businesses, traded flat on its Hong Kong debut, following an IPO of HK$766.2 million($97.6 million).
Deal focus: Chezhubang fills its tank
Chezhubang has found a way into China's fuel retail market with an app that helps drivers find the cheapest gas stations
Q&A: Xpeng's Brian Gu
Brian Gu, vice chairman and president of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng, explains how the private equity-backed company is trying to stand out in a competitive and fast-changing market
Pakistan ride hailing and courier app secures Series A
Bykea, a Pakistan-based online platform for on-demand transport and logistics, has raised a $5.7 million Series A round led by Sarmayacar, a European venture capital investor focused exclusively on Pakistan.
China's Yunji completes $121m US IPO, gains 29% on debut
Yunji, a Chinese membership-based e-commerce platform, gained 29% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $121 million IPO that was largely covered by two of its private equity investors.
Deal focus: Gaosi Education stresses its B2B credentials
As China's mainstream online tuition players battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of end users, Gaosi Education found a niche targeting the B2B market. It recently raised $140 million to accelerate expansion