Venture
Japan VC-backed internet firm Kayac files for IPO
Kayac, a Japanese internet company backed by Globis Capital Partners and CyberAgent, has filed for its IPO on the Mothers (market of the high-growth and emerging stocks) section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).
VCs commit $60m to India restaurant listings site Zomato
Zomato, a restaurant search service based in India, has raised a Series E round of funding worth $60 million from Vy Capital and existing backers Info Edge and Sequoia Capital.
Xiaomi, Shunwei to invest $300m in Baidu-controlled iQiyi
Chinese smart phone maker Xiaomi and Shunwei Capital – a VC firm set up by Xiaomi co-founder and super angel investor Lei Jun – will invest $300 million in iQiyi, a video platform owned by Baidu.
Australia's Bigcommerce gets $50m growth equity round
SoftBank Capital, Telstra Ventures and American Express have led a Series D round of funding worth $50 million for Bigcommerce, an Australian e-commerce platform with a strong presence in the US. Existing investors General Catalyst and Revolution Growth...
VC-backed eHi Car Services raises $120m in US IPO
EHi Car Services, a Shanghai-based car rental company backed by a string of VC investors, has raised $120 million through an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Australia's VC-backed Campaign Monitor in US bolt-on acquisition
Australia's Campaign Monitor, an email marketing software developer backed by Insight Venture Partners and SalesForce, has acquired US survey software developer GetFeedback.
Jafco invests $1.2m in Japan's Interactive Solutions
Jafco Ventures has invested JPY150 million ($1.2 million) in Interactive Solutions, the Tokyo-based start-up behind enterprise marketing and productivity app Interactive-Pro.
Bubble talk: VC valuations
In Beijing and Silicon Valley, there is cause for concern at the flood of capital entering the technology space. It draws comparisons with the dotcom bubble era – but VCs at the AVCJ Forum were keen to play down the similarities.
VC-backed Japanese gaming start-up files for Tokyo IPO
Gumi, the VC-backed Japanese game developer, has filed for its Tokyo IPO, which could value the company at JPY100 billion ($900 million).
Vertex leads $30m round for Chinese e-commerce site Metao
Vertex Ventures has led a $30 million round of funding for Metao, a Chinese cross-border e-commerce platform, with participation from Morningside Technologies, Greenwoods Investment and Matrix Partners.
China's Alipay, VC back mobile tech specialist V-Key
Alibaba Group’s online payment platform Alipay and IPV Capital have invested $12 million in a Series B round for V-key, a Singapore and US-based start-up specializing in mobile security and cryptography.
Hillhouse, CITIC PE commit $75m to Chinese cancer drug developer
Hillhouse Capital and CITIC Private Equity have participated in a RMB450 million ($75 million) round of funding for BeiGene, a Chinese company that develops drugs to combat cancer.
Tencent, Line invest $110m in South Korean game developer
Chinese internet company Tencent Holdings and Japanese messaging app Line Corp. have invested $110 million in 4:33 Creative Labs, a South Korean, VC-backed mobile games developer.
VCs cast doubt on dotcom era comparisons - AVCJ Forum
Venture capital investors played down comparisons between the current soaring valuations in the technology space and the dotcom bubble era.
Taiwan VC: Captive element
Taiwanese corporations are launching captive VC units to invest in technologies that can update their product offerings. The new source of funding is welcome in the absence of independent VCs, but is it a panacea?
VCs worried but enthused by frothy China tech sector - AVCJ Forum
The flood of capital entering China’s technology space is a concern for VC investors, but they remain firm believers in the emerging generation of mobile-enabled consumers that is driving interest in the sector.
VC-backed Chinese dating app Momo files for US IPO
Momo, a Chinese location-based social-networking app best known for its “flirting” function, has filed for a US IPO. Backers include Alibaba Group, Matrix Partners, Yunfeng Capital and Sequoia Capital.
GSR commits $2m to China enterprise management app
GSR Ventures has committed $2 million in a Series A round of funding for Waiqin365, a Chinese customer relationship management (CRM) mobile app.
Infinity Venture launches third China, Japan fund
Japanese tech-focused investor Infinity Venture Partners has launched its third fund - Infinity e.venture Asia III - which will focus on start-ups in Japan and China.
SIG, SoftBank back China wearables maker Codoon
SoftBank China Venture Capital (SBCVC) and SIG Asia have invested $30 million in a Series B round of funding for Codoon, a Chinese wearable electronic devices manufacturer.
Qiming, Innovation Works invest $22m in China Face++
Qiming Venture Partners and Innovation Works have participated in a $22 million Series B round of funding for Face++, a Chinese face recognition technology developer.
Hera Capital re-ups in Philippines-based Cashcashpinoy
Singapore-based private equity investor Hera Capital has committed an additional $2 million in a Series B round of funding for Cashcashpinoy, a Philippines-based online shopping platform.
Malaysia's Axiata launches $30m fund with Mavcap
Malaysian telecom conglomerate Axiata Group has partnered with Malaysia Venture Capital Management (Mavcap) to set up a MYR100 million ($30 million) VC fund to invest in Malaysia’s digital services companies.
Q&A: Draper Associates' Tim Draper
A third-generation venture capitalist, Tim Draper is founder of Draper Associates and founding partner of DFJ. He explains the key ingredients for rolling out the Silicon Valley model at home and overseas