Venture
rtf
Chinese premier backs local listings for start-ups
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the government would promote start-ups with “special ownership structures” to list onshore, as part of efforts to encourage the development of the venture capital industry.
Morningside backs China mathematics teaching start-up
Early-stage investor Morningside Technologies has led a $5 million Series A round of funding for Leleketang, a China-based online teaching platform that specializes in mathematics and Chinese.
Wavemaker provides seed funding for Singapore 3D pen developer
CreoPop, a Singapore start-up which has developed a pen that enables objects to be drawn in 3D, has received seed funding from Wavemaker Partners and the Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF).
Taiwan launches $120m Silicon Valley VC fund
Taiwan’s National Development Fund (NDF) and Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) have agreed to form $120 million VC fund that will invest in Silicon Valley tech start-ups.
CBC leads $15m round for China public transport app
China Broadband Capital (CBC) has led a $15 million Series B round of funding for Chelaile, a Chinese public bus tracking app.
Fund focus: Accel, DJI to expand drone ecosystem
Accel Partners' $75 million investment in Chinese drone maker DJI earlier this month - said to value the company at $8 billion - came with an extra component: the two groups agreed to form a $10 million fund that would back other start-ups in the space.
Corporate VC: Pleasing the parent
Companies want to keep tabs on technological innovation in order to stay relevant in their industries by nurturing Asia’s tech start-ups. However, there is no uniform approach to corporate venture capital
Sequoia leads $15m Series B for Chinese food platform Mishi
Sequoia Capital has provided $15 million in Series B funding to Mishi, a Chinese app that aggregates private kitchens. Neil Shen, Sequoia’s managing partner, compared the business to a “gourmet version of Airbnb.”
India's Veeba Foods raises $6m from Saama Capital
Saama Capital has led a $6 million round for Indian specialty food ingredients maker Veeba Food Services. Existing investor DSG Consumer Partners also took part.
CyberAgent Ventures launches $50m Southeast Asia fund
Japan's CyberAgent Ventures (CAV) - the corporate venture arm of the eponymous Japanese internet firm - has launched a $50 million fund focusing on Southeast Asia start-ups.
China luxury e-commerce site gets $30m Series C round
Pacific Venture Partners has led a $30 million Series C round of funding for Xiu.com, a China-based luxury brand e-commerce platform.
China VC activity will continue to thrive - AVCJ Forum
Chinese VC deal activity is expected to retain its strong momentum over the next few years, largely due the increasing diversity of exit channels.
YJ Capital, East Ventures back Japan big data start-up
YJ Capital - the corporate venture capital arm of Yahoo Japan - and East Ventures have invested JPY260 million ($2 million) in Use Local, a Japanese big data start-up.
Chinese games platform Egret gets Series B round
Shenzhen Capital Group and Matrix Partners China have participated in a Series B round of funding for Egret Technology, a Chinese internet technology platform that focuses on mobile games development.
Zodius reaches $110m first close on India VC fund
Indian venture capital firm Zodius Capital has reached a INR7 billion ($110 million) first close on its $500 million technology-focused fund being raised in partnership with Avendus Capital.
China’s JD.com leads $70m round for VC-backed Fruitday
Chinese online retailer JD.com has led a $70 million Series C round for Fruitday, a China-based e-commerce site dedicated to selling imported fruit.
Qiming leads $30m round for China internet security firm
Qiming Venture Partners has led a $30 million Series B round of funding for FraudMetrix, a Chinese internet security solutions provider.
Australia's PE Gateway Group backs messaging service
Australia-based Private Equity Gateway Group (PEGG) has invested in U&Me Communication, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s OM Technology that has developed a mobile messaging platform.
Vietnam's FPT launches venture capital arm
Vietnamese tech group FPT Corporation has launched FPT Ventures, its new venture capital and accelerator unit, which will manage a $3 million fund targeting seed and Series A stage investments.
China hardware start-ups: Maker's mark
Best known as the go-to location in China for cheap electronics manufacturing, Shenzhen is now emerging as a Silicon Valley for hardware. Can these start-ups get traction with software-focused VCs?
China late-stage tech: Chasing unicorns
Capital is flooding into China-based internet companies, with PE firms, family offices, hedge funds and strategic players all-too-willing to support large, late-stage rounds. Not everyone will emerge a winner
GGV closes $457m China top-up fund
GGV Capital has raised a $457 million top-up fund for follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies.
Rushan leads $16m round for China's EasyStack
Rushan Capital has led a $16 million Series B investment in EasyStack, a Chinese cloud-based software provider. YingDong Investment and existing investor BlueRun Ventures also took part in the round.
China Renaissance unit Huaxing Capital targets $150m fundraise
Huaxing Capital, the principal investment division of boutique investment bank China Renaissance, has launched its latest fund with a target of $150 million.