Venture
Asia fintech: Follow the leader
China has set a compelling example for establishing a diversified and deeply penetrated digital banking industry in a developing economy. India and Southeast Asia are taking notes
Morningside secures $1b for China venture fund
Morningside Venture Capital, a China-focused early-stage VC firm, has raised approximately $1 billion for its latest US dollar-denominated fund. It represents a considerable step up in size from the GP’s previous vehicle, which closed at $660 million...
Shunwei backs Chinese quick-service hair salon operator
Xingkeduo, a Chinese hair salon operator that specializes in fast-turnaround services, has raised RMB100 million ($14.5 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Shunwei Capital, China International Capital Corp, Hongdao Capital and Future Capital....
CLSA launches early-stage fintech unit
Hong Kong’s CLSA has launched an investment unit called AlphaLabs that will back early-stage financial technology companies in Asia.
Fresh China gets $43m Series B led by IDG
Fresh China, a domestic fresh food retailer also known as Shengxian Chuanqi, has raised RMB300 million ($43.3 million) in a Series B round led by IDG Capital with participation from Sequoia Capital and BA Capital.
Gobi, Core Capital launch $10m Philippines VC fund
Gobi Partners, a VC firm focused on early-stage Chinese and Southeast Asia companies, has made its first foray to the Philippines through the launch of a $10 million fund. It is partnering with Core Capital, a recently-established VC player based in Manila....
State-owned funds back Series B for Chinese AI start-up
Cloudwalk, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) start-up that specializes in facial recognition technology has closed a Series B round of funding led by several government-backed funds. The deal underlines China’s desire to push further into AI-powered...
China credit services specialist WeShare gets $90m Series B
Shenzhen-based Chinese financial services provider WeShare has secured $90 million in Series B funding led by Huaxing Growth Capital, an investment arm of China Renaissance, as well as CITIC Capital and Loyal Valley Capital.
Deal focus: GTJA targets China online pharmacy boom
Healthcare specialist GTJA Investment Group leads a $130 million Series B for Jianke in the expectation that the company will consolidate its leadership position in China's online pharmacy market
China's Jianke raises $130m Series B
Chinese online pharmacy operator Jianke has closed a $130 million Series B funding round led by healthcare-focused GTJA Investment Group.
Venture debt: The loan rangers
Venture debt providers are confident that the asset class is set for growth in Asia, though momentum is slow in most markets. Lenders must adapt their strategies to meet local needs if they are to be successful
VinaCapital launches VC arm, agrees three deals
Vietnam’s VinaCapital has launched a $100 million VC unit and confirmed its first two domestic investments. Separately, the private equity firm has committed $25 million to a local hospital operator.
Chinese autonomous driving player Yihang raises Series B
Yihang.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving technology provider, has received RMB220 million ($32.2 million) in Series B funding led by a fund managed by China International Capital Corporation (CICC).
Sequoia raises $2.5b for China funds
Sequoia Capital has closed its latest China funds with $2.5 billion in commitments across growth, venture, and seed strategies.
Australia's Simple gets $17m expansion round
Australian marketing platform operator Simple has raised $17 million for global expansion in a round led by local investor BBRC Private Equity. It is the GP’s first investment.
Q&A: Top Tier Capital Partners' David York
David York, a managing partner at venture capital-focused fund-of-funds Top Tier Capital Partners, assesses the motivations behind the flood of capital into the US late-stage technology space
Chinese karaoke equipment supplier gets $29m Series B
Thunder Stone Technology, a Chinese karaoke equipment producer, has received nearly RMB200 million ($29 million) in Series B funding led by China Minsheng Investment Group.
Golden Equator launches Brunei accelerator
Singapore’s Golden Equator has launched an accelerator in Brunei aimed at helping local small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) expand across Southeast Asia.
Japan's Line launches $10m token fund in Korea
Japan’s Line Corporation has set up a $10 million fund via a Korean subsidiary that will make token investments in early-stage blockchain start-ups.
Openspace closes second SE Asia VC fund at $135m
Southeast Asia-focused VC firm Openspace Ventures – best known for being the first institutional investor in Indonesian ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek – has closed its second fund at the hard cap of $135 million.
China commercial space start-up raises $44m Series B
China International Capital Corp (CICC) has led a RMB300 million ($44 million) Series B funding round for Chinese commercial space industry start-up One Space.
Golden Gate launches crypto, blockchain fund
Singapore’s Golden Gate Ventures has launched a cryptocurrency and blockchain fund in partnership with LuneX Ventures, a new firm established by Kenrick Drijkoningen (pictured), Golden Gate’s former head of growth.
Samsung to expand VC program in $22b innovation drive
Korea’s Samsung has committed KRW25 trillion ($22 billion) to a technology innovation drive that will focus strongly on domestic R&D and include an expansion of the company’s venture incubation program.
China's CureGenetics gets $17m Series A round
Qiming Venture Partners has led a $17 million Series A funding round for Chinese biotechnology company CureGenetics.