Venture
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Deal focus: JingChi gases up with Qiming investment
Technology developer JingChi is planning to leverage a new commitment from Qiming Venture Partners to take the lead in China's competitive autonomous driving space
Korea bans initial coin offerings
South Korea has initiated a ban on fundraising exercises known as initial coin offerings (ICO) which involve the unregulated sale of cryptographic tokens.
CBC, Ocean Link lead $40m round for China’s Yitiao
China Broadband Capital (CBC) and Ocean Link – a travel and tourism-focused PE firm – have jointly led a $40 million Series C round for Yitiao, a Chinese online platform that offers lifestyle video content and retail services.
Qiming leads $52m round for China’s JingChi
Qiming Venture Partners has led a $54 million pre-Series A round for JingChi, a Chinese self-driving technology company, with participation from US-based strategic investor Nvidia GPU Ventures.
Australia agtech: Tending the seedlings
Agricultural technology investment in Australia is growing rapidly from a low base. Sustaining this momentum requires international capital channels and attention to local differentiators
Didi invests $200m in China's VC-backed Renrenche
Chinese ride-hailing app operator Didi Chuxing has invested $200 million in Renrenche, a local consumer-to-consumer used-car trading platform, which is backed by several VC investors.
China’s 51Job acquires majority stake in VC-backed Lagou
US-listed Chinese recruitment site 51Job has agreed to acquire a 60% stake in industry peer Beijing Lagou Network Technology, which is backed by Qiming Venture Partners and other VC investors, for $119 million.
Hostplus commits $50m in Artesian’s China VC fund
Australian superannuation fund Hostplus has committed $50 million to a China-focused VC fund launched by Australian seed investor Artesian. The fund is targeting up to $200 million.
East Ventures launches $30m Southeast Asia VC fund
East Ventures has launched a $30 million Southeast Asia fund that will make seed to Series A investments in technology start-ups, with an emphasis on Indonesia.
Drum Tower launches China VC fund
China-based Drum Tower Ventures has launched its first fund, with a view to raising $50 million for early-stage investments globally.
Tiger Global, Genesis lead $230m round for China’s Miss Fresh
Tiger Global Management and Genesis Capital have led an extended Series C round worth $230 million for Miss Fresh, a Chinese online grocery retailer backed by Tencent Holdings. Jeneration Capital also participated.
Banyan joins $152m round for China's QianbaoCard
QianbaoCard, a Shanghai-based start-up that provides financial services to local merchants and consumers, has raised a RMB1 billion ($152 million) Series B round of funding from Banyan Capital and other domestic investors.
Singapore's NRF invests $12m in cybersecurity start-ups
Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) has invested S$16 million ($12 million) in new cybersecurity projects, with a view to strengthening the country’s R&D capabilities in this area.
China’s VC-backed Qudian files for US IPO
China-based Qudian, previously known as Qufenqi, a VC-backed micro-lending services provider, has filed for an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Japan's Infostellar receives $7.3m Series A
Infostellar, a Japanese company developing cloud-based satellite communication technology, has closed a $7.3 million Series A funding round led by US-based Airbus Ventures.
Tiantu re-ups in Chinese online grocer FreshMarket
China-based online grocery retailer FreshMarket has secured an extended Series C round of funding worth RMB290 million ($44 million) led by its existing investor Tiantu Capital.
Hong Kong's TNG Fintech raises $115m Series A
Chinese private equity firm NewMargin Capital has led a $115.3 million investment in Hong Kong’s TNG Fintech. It is said to be the largest Series A round for a Hong Kong start-up to date.
Australia invests $11m across three biotech start-ups
The Australian government has agreed to invest A$13.3 million ($11 million) into three local healthcare start-ups via it’s Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF).
Seven Seas leads $54m round for China robot start-up
Seven Seas Partners, a Sino-US cross-border VC firm founded by a former executive at Tencent Holdings, has led a RMB350 million ($54 million) Series B round of funding for Roobo, a home service robot developer.
1955 Capital backs US-based Gridtential to expand in Asia
1955 Capital, a cross-border PE firm set up by former Khosla Ventures partner Andrew Chung, has led an $11 million Series B round for US-based energy storage technology developer Gridtential aimed at supporting its Asia expansion.
Jafco leads $14.8m investment in Japan's Tech Bureau
Tech Bureau, a Japan-based cryptocurrency exchange platform operator, has received JPY1.6 billion ($14.8 million) in Series B funding led by domestic venture capital firm Jafco.
Regulators seek to curb initial coin offerings
Start-up fundraisings via the sale of cryptographic tokens, also known as initial coin offerings (ICO), are set to experience elevated legal enforcement risk in Asia following regulatory pressure in China and Hong Kong.
China clothing rental site Yi23 raises $50m
China-based Yi23, a female clothing rental platform, has raised a $50 million Series C round of funding jointly led by Alibaba Innovation Ventures, SBCVC and Sequoia Capital.
China's Withinlink seeks $30m for VC fund
China-based start-up incubator and early-stage investor Withinlink is targeting $30 million for its second venture capital fund to help US companies enter the Chinese market.