YJ Capital
Japan enterprise blockchain supplier LayerX raises $40m
Japan’s LayerX, an enterprise technology supplier that incorporates blockchain into functions such as expense management, has raised JPY 5.5bn (USD 40m) from a mostly local VC syndicate.
Japan's Baseconnect gets $41m Series B
Japanese corporate contact and recruitment database provider Baseconnect has raised a JPY 5.4bn (USD 41m) Series B round led by Z Venture Capital (ZVC), formerly YJ Capital.
Global Brain leads $14.5m round for Japan's SmartBank
Japan’s Global Brain has led a JPY 2bn (USD 14.5m) Series A round for SmartBank, a local start-up that provides prepaid Visa cards and accompanying expense management apps.
Fund focus: East Ventures expands its LP rolodex
Indonesia’s East Ventures reached beyond Asian LPs for the first time with its latest growth fund. It coincides with several other milestones that signal a new level of institutionalisation
Thailand insurtech player Sunday gets $45m Series B
Thailand-based insurance technology start-up Sunday has received $45 million in Series B funding from a group of investors including Tencent Holdings.
Indonesia grocery platform HappyFresh closes $65m Series D
Indonesia-based grocery platform HappyFresh has closed a $65 million Series D round led by Korean internet giant Naver and Netherlands-based investor Gafina.
Japan's YJ Capital, Line Ventures merge, launch $274m fund
Japan’s YJ Capital, recently rebranded as Z Venture Capital (ZVC), has launched a JPY30 billion ($274 million) following a merger with Line Ventures.
Singapore's East Ventures takes over EV Growth
EV Growth, a joint venture between Singapore’s East Ventures, Indonesia’s SMDV and Japan’s YJ Capital, is dissolving its co-GP structure, with East Ventures taking over as the sole manager.
Japan's JIC invests four local start-ups
Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) has backed four local start-ups via its new VC unit. This includes a JPY3 billion ($29 million) commitment to business digitization consultant Monstar Lab.
Corporate VC in Asia: Moment of truth
Cutting non-core operations is the standard corporate response to an economic downturn. Companies in Asia must decide whether the long-term benefits of exposure to new technologies outweighs short-term pain
Globis backs two Japan marketing services companies
Japan’s Globis Capital Partners has invested in two marketing services providers in separate transactions, including web conferencing player BellFace and data-focused Flywheel.
Indonesia's Waresix lifts Series A to $25.5m
Indonesia trucking and warehousing platform operator Waresix has closed an extended Series A round at $25.5 million following new contributions from EV Growth and Jungle Ventures.
Temasek, EV Growth lead $40m round for Indonesia's Social Bella
Temasek Holdings and EV Growth have led a $40 million Series D investment in Social Bella, an Indonesian online services provider for the beauty and lifestyle industry.
EV Growth leads $14.5m round for Indonesian logistics player
EV Growth has led a $14.5 million Series A round for Indonesian logistics industry technology provider Waresix.
Indonesia's KoinWorks raises $12m Series B
Indonesian P2P lending platform KoinWorks has raised S$16.5 million ($12 million) in Series B funding led by EV Growth and Quona Capital.
Singapore's EV Growth closes debut fund at $200m
Singapore-based EV Growth, a joint venture between East Ventures, Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Digital Ventures (SMDV) and Japan’s YJ Capital, has closed its first fund at $200 million.
Rakuten Capital, EV Growth back Singapore's ShopBack
Rakuten Capital and EV Growth have joined a $45 million round for Singapore-based retail rewards platform operator ShopBack.
Japan VC: Positive energy
Japan’s quiet venture capital space is booming within its own borders. Signs of a stronger exit market and an exuberant influx of corporate involvement are encouraging themes, but they will play out slowly
Indonesia's Warung Pintar gets $27.5m Series B
Warung Pintar, an Indonesia-based smart kiosk start-up, has raised IDR390 billion ($27.5 million) in Series B funding from a group of investors including East Ventures.
Yahoo acquires Japan's VC-backed Dely
Yahoo Japan has acquired Dely, the VC-backed Japanese start-up that operates online recipe-sharing service Kurashiru.
Sinar Mas, East Ventures, Yahoo Japan form SE Asia fund
Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas Group, Singapore’s East Ventures and Yahoo Japan have teamed up to launch a $150 million venture capital fund targeting technology-enabled companies in Southeast Asia.
VCs commit $30m to Japanese recipe-sharing start-up
SoftBank and YJ Capital have taken part in a JPY3.4 billion ($30.2 million) funding round for Japanese online food media start-up Dely.
Japanese online media player Candee gets $21.6m round
Eight Roads Japan has led a JPY2.45 billion ($21.6 million) funding round Tokyo-based online media start-up Candee.
VCs invest $6.4m in Japan's Monstar Lab
A group of venture capital investors including YJ Capital and Fenox Venture Capital has led a JPY700 million ($6.4 million) funding round for Japanese global outsourcing service developer Monstar Lab.