Venture
China online learning site Smartstudy raises $29m
Smartstudy.com, a Chinese online learning site, has raised a RMB200 million ($29 million) Series B round of funding led by Hong Kong-based private equity firm Golden Brick Capital.
China bike-sharing start-up Ubike raises $22m
Ubike, a Chinese bike-sharing start-up, has raised a RMB150 million ($22 million) Series A round of funding led by Yicun Capital, a corporate PE arm of Shenzhen-listed chemical fiber manufacturer Jiangsu Huaxicun.
IDG, Accel invest $3m in India's Bizongo
IDG Ventures has led a $3 million Series A round for Indian business-to-business packaging marketplace Bizongo, with participation by existing investor Accel Partners.
Alibaba, Legend invest $20m in China seafood importer Gfresh
Gfresh, a China-based seafood importer and online marketplace operator, has raised $20 million from Riverhill Fund, an investment arm of Alibaba Group, and Legend Capital.
Sovereigns and VC: An eye on the future
Australia's Future Fund appears to have overcome the philosophical and structural challenges facing face large-ticket LPs that want exposure to early-stage innovation
Southeast Asia dating app raises $32.5m round
Paktor, a Southeast Asia-focused mobile dating app, has received $32.5 million in new funding led by K2 Global – a venture capital firm that makes late-stage tech investments in Asia and the US – and Indonesia-based MNC Media Group.
China short-term rental site Xiaozhu raises $65m
Chinese short-term rental site Xiaozhu.com has collected a total of $65 million across two tranches from a group of China-focused VC investors.
IDG, Promethus invest $30m in China's KR Space
IDG Capital Partners and Prometheus Capital have invested RMB200 million ($30 million) in an extended Series A round of funding for KR Space, a provider of collaborative workspaces for Chinese start-ups
China smart home device maker Orvibo raises $16m
Orvibo, a Shenzhen-based smart home device maker, has secured a RMB110 million ($16 million) Series B round of funding led by A-share listed electronics manufacturer Topband.
India's Ather Energy raises $31m for electric motorcycles
Indian motorcycle giant Hero MotoCorp will invest about INR2 billion ($31 million) in domestic VC-backed electric vehicle (EV) start-up Ather Energy.
Partners For Growth commits $15m to Yello Mobile's marketing unit
Yello Digital Marketing (YDM), the digital marketing unit of South Korean mobile internet company Yello Mobile, has received $15 million in funding from Partners For Growth (PFG), the PE arm of SVB Financial Group.
IDG, Walden lead $65m round for US-China AI start-up
IDG Capital Partners and Walden International have led a $65 million Series B funding round for US and China-based artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company Rokid.
JD Finance leads $30m round for China's Microseer
JD Finance, the financial subsidiary of Chinese online retailer JD.com, has led a $30 million Series B round for Microseer, a Shanghai-based human resources and IT outsourcing services start-up.
Walmart commits $50m to JD.com's delivery platform
US-based retailer Walmart has made a $50 million strategic investment in New Dada, a Chinese online grocery and delivery platform part-owned by JD.com.
New Horizon leads $37m Series B in China AR toy maker
Neobear, a China-based company that develops interactive learning tools for children, has raised a RMB250 million ($37 million) Series B round of funding led by Chinese GP New Horizon Capital.
US fintech raises $5m for Philippines, Southeast Asia push
Quona Capital has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for US-based financial technology start-up Coins. It will support an expansion in Southeast Asia with an emphasis on the Philippines.
India's Techcelx launches $15m tech fund
Indian technology investment firm and accelerator Techcelx has launched a INR1 billion ($15 million) venture fund targeting domestic companies in banking, education and healthcare.
Indian government sets up $9m VC fund
The Indian government has launched a INR600 million ($9 million) fund-of-funds to support domestic start-ups in rural and agriculture-focused industries.
VC-backed Tujia acquires Ctrip, Qunar's homestay assets
Chinese vacation rental platform Tujia, which has several VC and PE investors, has acquired the homestay businesses of travel websites Ctrip and Qunar, strengthening its already dominant position in China’s accommodation sharing market.
Chinese part-time jobs platform gets $40m Series C round
Doumi, a China-based platform that helps people find part-time jobs, has raised $40 million in Series B funding from Hillhouse Capital, Tencent Holdings, Baidu, and food and agribusiness conglomerate New Hope Group.
Chinese investors in $30m round for US genetic testing firm
Trustbridge Partners has led a $30 million Series B round for US-based genetic testing company Veritas Genetics.
China transport start-ups: Hot wheels
Bicycle-sharing start-ups are the latest investor craze in China’s technology-enabled transportation space. Can private sector operators make their business models work?
Chinese entrepreneurs: Under pressure
The health tolls of the entrepreneurial lifestyle and its effect on founders' lives and performance are an increasing source of concern for China's VC investors
China B2B liquor platform Yijiupi raises $100m Series C
China-based B2B liquor-trading platform Yijiupi has raised a $100 million Series C round led by existing investor Greenwoods Asset Management.