Venture
Former Mitsui VCs launch $150m biopharma fund
Two former venture investors from Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co are looking to raise $150 million for a new fund focusing on the biopharmaceutical sector.
China menstruation-tracking app gets $30m Series C round
Ceyuan Ventures has led a $30 million Series C round of investment in Dayima.com, a Chinese menstruation cycle-tracking mobile app.
GenNext leads Series B round for India's Covacsis
GenNext Ventures - the VC arm of Reliance Industries - has led a Series B round of investment in India-based enterprise software developer Covacsis Technologies.
Morningside, Qiming invest $15m in China social networking app
Morningside Technologies and Qiming Venture Partners have committed $15 million in Series A funding to Inbilin, a Chinese voice call social networking app.
IDG invests $20m in China file transfer app
IDG Capital Partners has committed $20 million in Series B funding to Zapya, a Chinese file transfer mobile app.
Singapore payment platform Fastacash secures $4m
Singapore-based payment platform Fastacash has secured a $4 million Series B round of funding from Jagdish Chanrai, principal of Kewalram Chanria Group, and Golden Oriole Investments.
INCJ to invest $8m in Japan's Microwave Chemical
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will invest JPY800 million ($7.8 million) in Microwave Chemical (MWC), a Osaka University start-up seeking to commercialize innovative chemical processes using microwaves.
Indian Angel Network launches incubation program
The Indian Angel Network (IAN) has launched an incubation program in association with German developmental aid agency GIZ and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
Sequoia commits $15m to India gaming company
Sequoia Capital has provided $15 million in Series A funding to Octro, an India-based mobile games developer.
Shunwei raises $525m for second China VC fund
Shunwei Capital Partners, a Chinese VC firm set up by Lei Jun (pictured), a noted angel investor and founder of mobile phone brand Xiaomi, has closed its second fund at $525 million.
SIGVC invests in China Resources' online drug platform
Shanghai International Group Venture Capital (SIGVC) has provided a RMB300 million ($48 million) Series A round funding for J1.com, an online drug store launched by China Resources Holdings.
Former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei joins Fenox
Former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei has joined Silicon Valley-based VC firm Fenox Venture Capital as a board advisor.
IDG reaches $586m final close on early-stage China fund
IDG Capital Partners has reached a final close of $586 million on its latest China venture capital fund, which will make early-stage investments in the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector.
China VC: The virtuous circle
China’s VC market is evolving as funds started by or raised from founders of first-generation internet firms. Concerns about conflicts of interest must be addressed, but the influence of their ecosystems will grow
China education investment: Competitive edge
Five months into 2014 and PE activity in China’s education sector is at its highest level in six years. Wary of the issues tied to creating a large footprint, investors are picking their segments and geographies carefully
Sequoia leads $100m round for China news app
Toutiao, a Chinese mobile news app operator, has received $100 million in a Series C round of investment led by Sequoia Capital.
Apax to invest $15m in China's Zhaopin alongside IPO
Zhaopin, a Chinese recruitment website which has previously raised capital from several VC firms, will receive $15 million from Apax Partners alongside a US IPO.
GGV leads $15m round for Southeast Asia taxi-booking app
GGV Capital has led a Series B round of funding worth more than $15 million for GrabTaxi, a Southeast Asia-focused taxi-booking mobile phone app.
Capital Today commits $7m to online game developer
China-focused investor Capital Today has participated in a $7 million round of funding for Thatgamecompany, a US online game developer.
Sequoia raises $530m for India fund
Sequoia Capital has raised $530 million for its fourth India-focused fund, which has an expanded remit to take in opportunities in Southeast Asia as well.
Sequoia leads $100m round for Korean e-commerce platform
South Korean e-commerce platform Coupang has raised a $100 million round of funding led by Sequoia Capital that is said to value the company at more than $1 billion.
Softbank invests in Chinese P2P site Edai
Softbank China Venture Capital (SBCVC) has committed a Series A round of funding for Chinese peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platform Edai.com.
Mobile app analytics firm App Annie raises $17m from VCs
Mobile app analytics platform App Annie has raised $17 million in new funding from existing investors IDG Capital Partners, Greycroft Partners and Sequoia Capital.
SIG commits $20m to China discount site 51Fanli
SIG China has committed $20 million in a Series B round of funding to 51Fanli, a Shanghai-based online discount aggregation site.