Venture
Japan virtual currency player gets $2.3m from VC backers
Orb, a Japanese start-up that has developed an authentication technology to facilitate the use of virtual currencies, has raised JPY274 million ($2.28 million) from a group of investors.
Philippines telecom giant PLDT launches VC unit
Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) has created an investment arm that will back start-ups in Silicon Valley and around the world.
Singapore's MediaCorp in media-for-equity deal with VC-backed skincare brand
Singapore media conglomerate MediaCorp will take an equity stake in VC-backed French skincare brand Crème Simon in return for providing the company with advertising services.
Alibaba re-ups in India's Paytm
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and its online finance affiliate Ant Financial Services Group have made a further investment in Paytm, India's largest mobile payment and commerce platform.
H&Q Asia Pacific to develop Silicon Valley technology hub
H&Q Asia Pacific will invest $100 million to acquire land and develop a technology hub in Silicon Valley.
Sequoia, SAIF in $36m Series B for India's PepperTap
PepperTap, an India-based hyperlocal online grocery delivery start-up, has raised a $36 million Series B round led by online marketplace Snapdeal, with participation from existing investors Sequoia Capital and SAIF Partners.
China bus service start-up gets $31m from VCs
Dada Bus, a mobile-enabled provider of bus services in China, has raised RMB200 million ($31 million) from Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) and newly-established VC firm Jingqiao Capital.
Deal focus: Portea takes healthcare to the home
Accel leads a $37.5 million round for Portea Medical, an India-based home healthcare business set up by the founders of TutorVista
Tiantu leads Series B for China home renovation platform
Consumer-focused GP Tiantu Capital has led a Series B round of funding for Mei Jia Bang, a Chinese start-up that provides online interior design solutions.
China's Didi Kuaidi invests in Indian peer Ola
China-based ride-hailing app operator Didi Kuaidi has invested an undisclosed sum in Indian counterpart Ola, as part of its latest round of funding.
Qualcomm launches $150m India venture fund
Qualcomm Ventures, the VC arm of US semiconductor producer Qualcomm, has formed a $150 million fund to invest in Indian mobile and internet start-ups.
Hillhouse, Goldman lead $394m round for China healthcare portal
Guahao.com, a Chinese healthcare information portal, has completed a Series B round of funding worth $394 million led by Hillhouse Capital and Goldman Sachs.
Northern Light leads $12m Series B round for China's Teambition
Northern Light Venture Capital has led a $12 million Series B round for Chinese collaboration app Teambition, with participation by existing investors IDG Capital Partners, Vangoo Capital and Gobi Partners.
China delivery app Beequick raises $70m
Beequick, a Chinese online food and drink delivery app, has completed a Series C round worth $70 million from Hillhouse Capital, Eastern Bell Venture Capital, Tiantu Capital and Sequoia Capital.
India home healthcare provider gets $37.5m
Accel Partners has led a $37.5 million Series B round for home healthcare start-up Portea Medical, with participation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Qualcomm Ventures, and Ventureast.
CMC in $65m round for US VR tech developer Jaunt
Jaunt, a US-based start-up that develops virtual reality (VR) technology, has received a $65 million Series C round of funding led by Walt Disney, media-focused PE firm China Media Capital (CMC), TPG Growth, Evolution Media Partners and Participant Media....
Chrysalix, HKSTP form clean energy partnership
Canadian VC firm Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital has partnered with the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to support cleantech start-ups.
Portfolio: LanzaTech and its VC network
New Zealand-based LanzaTech decided to monetize its anti-pollution technology by recruiting investors in target geographies. Local regulations remain a challenge, but the company is now beginning to scale
Fund focus: Super funds flock to Blackbird
First State Super and HOSTPLUS join the LP roster for Blackbird Ventures' latest tech fund
Singapore's NRF commits $28m to VC funds
Singapore's National Research Foundation (NRF) will commit S$40 million ($28 million) to local venture capital funds through the third installment of its Early Stage Venture Fund (ESVF).
BlaBlaCar raises $200m for emerging markets push
Insight Venture Partners and Lead Edge Capital have led a $200 million Series D round for French ride-sharing start-up BlaBlaCar to fuel its push into emerging markets.
China VCs back US communications start-up
A group of VC investors including Morningside Technologies, SIG, GGV Capital, Shunwei Capital Partners and IDG Capital Partners have invested in a $20 million Series B round of funding for Agora, a US-based communications-as-a-service provider.
Baidu leads $150m round for China baby product e-commerce site
Chinese search provider Baidu has led a $150 million Series D round of funding for Mia.com, a local childcare-focused e-commerce platform. The two companies have also agreed a strategic partnership.
Intel Capital invests $67m in eight Chinese companies
Intel Capital has committed $67 million to eight Chinese technology start-ups working in smart devices, robotics, the internet of things, cloud services, big data, and data analytics.