Analysis >> Venture
India tech M&A: Treading water
India’s internet giants are becoming more acquisitive, but they still play a minor role in VC firms’ planning. To raise their influence these companies first need to stabilize their own operations
Taiwan VC: Marginal gains
Taiwan’s government has announced a slew of measures to encourage global venture capital funds to invest in local start-ups. Is it doing enough to create a robust VC ecosystem?
Asia O2O services: The long tail
From taxi journeys to pedicures, online-to-offline services are changing consumption channels in Asia’s emerging markets. Some leaders have emerged, but much of the sector is still up for grabs
The billion-dollar club: Asia's tech unicorns
Asia accounts for one fifth of the global tech sector’s unicorn population as companies raise larger rounds at ever higher valuations. But as investor sentiment weakens, some of these behemoths should be concerned
Australian LPs and domestic VC: Toe in the water
Australian super funds are showing renewed interests in domestic venture capital, supporting firms that offer flexible structures with co-investment opportunities. Can this approach work for all GPs?
Singapore VC: Redressing the balance
Singapore wants local companies to set up VC funds as a means of cultivating start-ups in a wider variety of areas. Can the right balance be struck between innovation and corporate agendas?
Portfolio: LanzaTech and its VC network
New Zealand-based LanzaTech decided to monetize its anti-pollution technology by recruiting investors in target geographies. Local regulations remain a challenge, but the company is now beginning to scale
Korean start-ups: Pursuing critical mass
A handful of Korean start-ups have achieved valuations in excess of $1 billion as investors look to leverage a mobile-centric consumer base. But how many unicorns can this market accommodate?
Asia e-commerce: The next generation
Most of emerging Asia’s e-commerce giants faced a binary choice between the asset-heavy online retail and asset-light marketplace models. Now, though, investors have a more nuanced opportunity set
Loan or own? Chinese strategics offer debt to start-ups
As Chinese start-ups raise larger, later-stage rounds, strategic investors are looking to participate through structured debt products rather than through equity. This approach presents its own risks
SoftBank: Venture legacy
SoftBank’s direct investment activity has shifted towards later-stage deals and it is expected to remain there. But the Japanese technology giant has not given up on its VC affiliates and subsidiaries in Asia
China robotics: Rise of the machines
China’s robotics start-ups are riding a wave of innovation and exploring many previously unexpected paths. As the scope of applications broadens, they need to keep up the pace
Chinese celebrities in VC: Profile booster
Chinese celebrities are entering the venture capital space, offering start-ups endorsement as well as financial support. But can a pop star’s cachet translate into long-term sustainable growth?
China angels: Divine intervention
Angel investors, both unsophisticated amateurs and industry-savvy professionals, are flooding into China’s tech sector in search of stellar returns. Everything looks great as long as the market keeps on going up.
China healthcare: The specialists
On the back of reforms and a rising consumer class, China's healthcare sector is expected to see huge growth. Sector specialists have emerged to capitalize on the opportunity. How can they differentiate themselves?
Late-stage tech: Hedging bets in India
Everyone is trying to get of the piece of tech story in India and US hedge funds are not different, but what will their entry into the early stage rounds mean for the broader venture capital industry
China tech: From Beijing to the Bay Area
Chinese technology companies are becoming more interested in backing US start-ups, with some groups even building local teams in Silicon Valley. What does this mean for the start-up community?
Onshore IPOs and China VIEs: Replacement capital?
With Chinese entrepreneurs considering domestic IPOs, foreign VCs face the prospect of having to sell off investments in restricted industries. But the trend can only be sustained as long as valuations remain high
VC in Japan's universities: Getting schooled
For the past decade, Japan’s universities have been working with venture capital to commercialize their research. Recent developments in the public and private sectors suggest this relationship is evolving
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
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
India e-commerce: Grocery growth spurt
There has been a proliferation of start-ups in India’s online grocery sector, and investors have taken notice. But the companies that survive in the harsh competition to come will have to be tough
India IPOs: Staying afloat
India’s public markets are at record highs, but IPO activity remains lackluster. Investors want an overhaul of the listings approval process and a regulatory system that is suited to PE and VC-backed companies