Venture
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TNB Aura launches COVID-19 special situations fund
Singapore VC firm TNB Aura has launched an open-ended special situations fund that will support early-stage start-ups under financial pressure related to COVID-19.
Fund focus: I-nest targets lifestyle technologies
Rather than addressing the healthcare opportunities created by Japan's changing demographic base, I-nest Capital is focusing on lifestyle and entertainment needs of an aging population
China's Qiming names Grace Lee as COO
Grace Lee (pictured), has been appointed COO at Qiming Venture Partners, in addition to her existing roles as a partner and CFO – one of several people moves within the Chinese venture capital firm.
2019 in review: Falling short
Fundraising, investment and exits in Asia are unlikely to match last year as pan-regional funds take a back seat, large-cap buyouts remain in short supply, growth-stage tech loses its edge, and IPOs flounder
Singapore dental products start-up receives $13m Series A
Zenyum, a Singapore-based manufacturer of 3D-printed cosmetic dental products, has raised $13.6 million in Series A funding from RTP Global, Sequoia Capital India, TNB Aura, and Seeds Capital.
China SaaS: Dark side of the moon
Venture capital investors in China are turning their minds and manpower to the country’s nascent enterprise software opportunity, but the evolution curve is unlikely to be an exact match of the US
Consumer hardware: Some assembly required
Consumer hardware is a cratered landscape in venture capital, and the risk-reward equation is not particularly well understood. New ways of looking at a traditional industry are needed
China apartment rental platforms: Illogical letting
Qingke, a Chinese long-term apartment rental operator, is looking to go public at a time when many of its peers are going out of business. Pursuing scale at the expense of sustainability is the core problem
No easy answers in Philippines’ sluggish VC market – AVCJ Forum
Industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum were hard-pressed to explain a disappointing lag in local venture capital ecosystem development.
US tech regulation: Green card or red card?
Compliance with US regulations on foreign investment in critical technologies is forcing Chinese VC players to examine their fund structure and governance as well as their deployment strategies
Asia fintech: Micro is big
The lowest common denominator is getting lower in financial services as technology reaches deeper into the sector. Investors must keep up to speed on business model evolution
Profile: CCV's Wei Zhou
Wei Zhou, founder of China Creation Ventures, turned a mid-career pitstop and a fateful encounter in the US into a bridge between his early work as a technologist and his ultimate calling as an investor
Chinese social e-commerce player raises $20m
Wanwu Xinxuan, a Chinese social e-commerce start-up that specializes in products for infants and children, has raised $20 million in a Series B round of funding led by local consumer sector-focused venture capital firm Fresh Capital.
Women entrepreneurs: Tales from the coalface
Women remain underrepresented in start-up ecosystems across Asia, but for those who have taken the plunge, there is potential to make a social impact that transcends their respective target markets
Women in VC: Crashing the gates
VC firms are increasingly serious about identifying and elevating prospective female talent, but the industry’s culture has a long way to go before women can feel truly valued and contribute their best work
Japan's Coral Capital names new partner
Coral Capital, formerly 500 Startups Japan, has named Google Japan’s head of start-ups and strategic relations Ken Nishimura (pictured) as a partner and chief editor.
Legal tech segment to see consolidation
Rapid growth in the legal tech segment globally will create M&A opportunities as the market consolidates, according to Dan Jansen, CEO of US-based specialist investor Nextlaw Ventures.
Deal focus: Igloohome puts smart home tech to work
Igloohome made its name providing smart locks for vacation rental properties listed on Airbnb and Booking.com. Breaking into the corporate security market is the next step
Profile: Traveloka’s Hendrik Susanto
Hendrik Susanto left a career in private equity and venture capital to head Traveloka’s inorganic growth strategy. The new role harnesses investment expertise to build a longer-lasting company
TVS reaches $160m second close on India growth fund
TVS Capital Funds, a PE firm sponsored by the TVS Group and Shriram Group, has reached a second close of INR11 billion ($160 million) on its third India growth vehicle.
Revitalizing Japan's conglomerates: Big ticket
Japan’s manufacturing conglomerates are continuing to define the economy as they either adapt or succumb to new technology trends. The process is adding a new ripple to the local carve-out market
Fidelity plans Eight Roads demerger
Fidelity International has announced plans to spin-out its proprietary investment arm Eight Roads within the year pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Singapore's EV Growth closes debut fund at $200m
Singapore-based EV Growth, a joint venture between East Ventures, Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Digital Ventures (SMDV) and Japan’s YJ Capital, has closed its first fund at $200 million.
China start-ups: Overtime
China’s start-up ecosystem is conforming to global norms by championing demanding work schedules, but companies must still consider ways to keep their employees suitably motivated