TMT
VCs back $26m investment in Singapore blockchain player
Several venture capital firms have backed a $26 million investment in Funfair, a Singapore-based company that uses blockchain technology to operate an online cryptocurrency casino.
China bike-sharing player Ofo gets $700m Series E round
Alibaba Group has led a $700 million Series E round of funding for Chinese bike-sharing start-up Ofo – less than a month after Tencent Holdings led a Series E of $600 million for Mobike, the company’s closest rival.
India's Droom raises $20m Series C
Indian used-car trading marketplace Droom has raised a $20 million Series C round from investors including Lightbox India Advisors and Beenos Asia.
Carlyle-backed Tencent ebook unit files for Hong Kong IPO
China Literature, the ebook unit of China’s Tencent Holdings whose backers include The Carlyle Group and Trustbridge Partners, has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong.
China cross-border VC: Home from home
Chinese capital is chasing deals in America’s technology space, but success in Silicon Valley requires a long-term commitment. Does the new breed of US-born Chinese VCs have the right cross-border strategy?
Helion co-founder launches India VC fund
Sanjeev Aggarwal (pictured), a co-founder of Indian VC firm Helion Venture Partners, has joined Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to launch a new VC fund focused on technology start-ups.
PE investors drop bids for Australia’s Fairfax
Hellman & Friedman, along with a consortium led by TPG Capital and including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), have withdrawn their bids to acquire Australia’s Fairfax Media.
TPG leads $437 million investment in Kakao's ride-hailing business
A TPG Capital-led consortium has agreed to invest KRW500 billion ($437.5 million) in a transportation-focused spin-out of South Korean internet services company Kakao Corp.
Gome invests in China VC-backed home renovation play
Gome Holding Group, one of China's largest electrical appliance retailers, has invested RMB216 million ($31 million) in a Series C round of funding for Ikongjian.com, a VC-backed online-to-offline (O2O) interior design platform.
Deal focus: JD.com plugs Farfetch into China
Having previously distanced itself from mainstream e-commerce players, luxury online fashion retailer Farfetch has received $397 million from JD.com with a view to entering the China market
Rocket, Kinnevik exit as Alibaba pumps $1b into Lazada
Alibaba Group will invest about $1 billion to take its stake in Southeast Asia-based e-commerce platform Lazada from 51% to 83%, enabling investors including Rocket Internet and AB Kinnevik to make a full exit.
Yunfeng leads $29m round for China media company
China-focused PE firm Yunfeng Capital has led a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round of funding for Tianjin Galaxy Cool Media, a local online video content producer.
Korean GP buys majority stake in Vietnam’s VNPT ePay
UTC Investment, a private equity firm backed by South Korean food producer Daesang Corporation, has finalized its acquisition of a 65% stake in VNPT ePay, the electronic payment arm of Vietnam’s VMG Media.
Zombie start-ups: On the same side
Zombie companies present a special challenge for VC investors, whose exit goals may not match the aims of the founders. Successful GPs will try to ensure a positive experience for all parties
Sequoia leads $18m Series C for India's OneAssist
Sequoia Capital India has led an $18 million Series C funding round for Mumbai-based payment security system company OneAssist.
Legend leads $18m round for Chinese book publisher
China-focused Legend Capital has led a RMB128 million ($18 million) Series A round for Dook Book, a Shanghai-based book publisher that also has digital media and film operations.
China agricultural services platform secures $29m round
Orchid Asia Group and China Growth Capital have jointly led a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round for Dafengshou, a Shenzhen-based agricultural supply chain service online platform. Existing investor Matrix Partners also participated.
China’s JD.com invests $397m in PE-backed Farfetch
China-based JD.com has invested $397 million in UK-based Farfetch, a PE-backed online luxury fashion retailer, as part of a new strategic partnership to pursue growth in China.
Matrix, Falcon Edge join $31m round for India's Mswipe
Indian mobile point-of-service (POS) developer Mswipe has raised a $31 million funding round led by RNT Capital Advisors, with participation by existing investors Matrix Capital Partners, Falcon Edge Capital and DSG Consumer Partners.
Lightspeed leads $4m Series A for India's Darwinbox
Lightspeed India Partners has led a $4 million Series A round for Indian human resources (HR) services platform operator Darwinbox.
Southeast Asia tourism: Thinking small
Travel start-ups in Southeast Asia are attracting scattered but enthusiastic interest from venture capital investors. Success in navigating the sector’s early days will be a matter of niche targeting
China dating app Tantan raises $70m Series D
Chinese mobile dating app Tantan has raised $70 million in a Series D round of funding led by US-listed live video streaming firm YY and Genesis Capital, with participation from SAIF Partners China and Zhongwei Capital.
PE-backed IEX files for India IPO
Online energy trading platform India Energy Exchange (IEX) has filed for an IPO, providing a partial exit for several private equity backers.
Chinese VC-backed co-working space Bigger raises $18m
Bigger, a Beijing-based co-working space operator established by Hong Kong-listed property developer Modern Land, has completed a $18 million Series A round led by an investment unit of real estate company Hongfu Group.