Venture
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Q&A: Vertex China's Choon Chong Tay
Vertex Ventures’ China team recently raised their first fund independent of the Singapore parent. Managing Director Choon Chong Tay explains the organizational changes and discusses the team’s investment strategy
China’s LeTV buys control in VC-backed Yongche
Chinese media company LeTV Holdings has acquired 70% in Yongche.com, facilitating an exit for existing shareholders in the car rental and taxi-booking app.
Matrix leads $5m Series A for Hong Kong's Klook
Matrix Partners has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for Klook, a Hong Kong-based online travel start-up.
China's Wuxi Healthcare VC joins round for US genetics start-up
Wuxi Healthcare Venture, a corporate venture fund owned by China-based Wuxi Pharmatech, has participated in a $115 million Series E round of funding for 23andMe, a Silicon Valley-based genetics-testing company.
Alibaba seeks full ownership of video platform Youku Tudou
Alibaba Group is looking to take full ownership of Chinese online video platform Youku Tudou in a deal that values the US-listed company at approximately $4.2 billion.
PE-backed Jiuxian approved to list on China’s New Third Board
Jiuxianwang E-commerce, a PE-backed Chinese e-commerce site that sells wines and spirits, has won regulatory approval to list on China’s over-the-counter (OTC) board.
Ant Financial leads round for China VC news platform 36kr
36Kr.com, a Chinese news portal that covers venture capital and technology start-ups, has raised a Series D round of funding led by Ant Financial, an online finance affiliate of Alibaba Group.
China outbound travel site Qulv.com raises $20m
Qulv.com, a Chinese outbound travel-focused platform, has raised a $20 million Series A round of funding from domestic GP Yuantai Changqing Fund.
Monk's Hill commits $5m to Hong Kong-based Playlab
Hong Kong-based mobile game studio Playlab has raised $5 million in Series B funding from Monk's Hill Ventures.
Sailing, Yunfeng lead $158m round for China’s Rong360
Sailing Capital and Yunfeng Capital have jointly led a RMB1 billion ($158 million) Series D round of funding for Rong360, a Chinese online search platform for loan products.
IFC to invest $25m in India's BigBasket
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, will commit $25 million to Indian online grocer BigBasket.
Australian LPs and domestic VC: Toe in the water
Australian super funds are showing renewed interests in domestic venture capital, supporting firms that offer flexible structures with co-investment opportunities. Can this approach work for all GPs?
Hong Kong vs Singapore VC: Flawed comparisons
Singapore has easily surpassed Hong Kong in terms of venture capital investment for the last four years, but that data should be assessed in the context of wider industry dynamics
Deal focus: Dianping-Meituan war reaches logical conclusion
Following the announced merger of Dianping and Meituan, further consolidation is expected in China's online-to-offline (O2O) services market
Fund focus: Venturra taps experience for SE Asia start-ups
Venturra Partners will draw on its founders' investment and entrepreneurial experience, plus a strategic connection to Lippo Group, as it helps Southeast Asian start-ups achieve scale
AngelList raises $400m from China’s CSC Group
Start-up funding platform AngelList has raised a $400 million early-stage focused fund from CSC Venture Capital, the US arm of private equity firm China Science & Merchants Investment Management Group, also known as CSC Group.
NLVC leads round for China-based English learning platform
Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) has led a $20 million Series B round of funding for VIPKID, a China-based English-language learning platform that targets primary and secondary school students.
Vertex Ventures appoints India head
Vertex Ventures, a VC firm controlled by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has appointed Ben Mathias as managing director and head of India. He joins from New Enterprise Associates.
IDG leads $15m round for China healthcare start-up
IDG Capital Partners has led a $15 million Series A round for Zhangshang Tangyi, a Chinese start-up that is developing a health data tracking device and mobile app for people with diabetes.
Philippines' PLDT Capital backs US start-up
PLDT Capital, the recently-formed investment arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), has committed $10 million to US mobile app development platform Phunware and will support expansion in Southeast Asia.
Sequoia, Kalaari commit $10m to India's Grabhouse
Sequoia Capital and Kalaari Capital have committed $10 million in Series B funding to Indian start-up Cryptopy Technologies, the developer of rental property listing platform Grabhouse.
Lippo sponsors Southeast Asia VC fund
Former Monk's Hill Ventures partner Stefan Jung has announced the launch of Venturra Capital, a new Southeast Asia-focused VC fund backed by the Lippo Group.
China internet players Dianping, Meituan agree merger
Rival Chinese online-to-offline (O2O) services platforms Dianping and Meituan – both of which have received substantial private equity and strategic funding – have agreed to merge. It is thought the combined entity would be worth at least $15 billion.
China’s CreditEase reaches first close on Israel fund
CreditEase, a leading Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) microcredit lender, has reached a first close of $30 million on its debut Israel-focused fund.