Startups

Bain Capital has chosen Masan Group for its first deal in Vietnam. (NIKKEI montage/Source photo by Getty. Logos from Masan Group and Bain Capital websites)
DealStreetAsia

Vietnam's Masan Group wins at least $200m from Bain Capital

U.S. investment firm strikes its first deal in Southeast Asian country

3 October 2023
The merger of Vertex Technology Acquisition Corp. and 17Live is expected by next January. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Tsubasa Suruga and screenshot from 17 Live's website) 
Business deals

Streaming app 17Live set to be Singapore's 1st SPAC merger

Vertex-backed shell company to acquire Taiwan-founded tech startup

2 October 2023
The Guangzhou skyline. Founded in 2011, Yuexiu Industrial Fund specializes in fund-of-funds investments with additional businesses covering direct equity financing and mezzanine financing.
DealStreetAsia

China's Yuexiu Industrial Fund to launch $274m new secondary fund

HongShan backer says vehicle will help speed investment in 'high-quality assets'

2 October 2023
Smog envelops Jakarta's skyline. Air pollution is a major problem for Indonesia's capital city. (Photo by David Andreas)
Startups

Indonesian startup Nafas takes on urban air pollution

Sensors feed data to smartphones to help people breathe easier

2 October 2023
Foreign investors are betting on India's burgeoning middle class and growing internet-savvy population, while their domestic counterparts cower at the lack of profitable exits from startup investments. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, Getty Images and AP)
Market Spotlight

For India tech startups, IPO success hinges on foreign investors

While domestic managers exercise caution, overseas funds take opportunities

2 October 2023
True Light Capital's formation comes at a time of heightened uncertainty around China. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by AP, logo from True Light Capital's website)
DealStreetAsia

Temasek's True Light Capital closes $3.3bn greater China fund

Flagship vehicle eyes sectors including science, technology and consumer

29 September 2023
Automera, launched on Wednesday, is a biotechnology company focusing on development of autophagy-targeting chimera small molecules. (Screenshot from Automera's website)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore biotech startup Automera raises $16m

Series A round co-led by U.S. company and Temasek-backed ClavystBio

28 September 2023
Grab Holdings aims to focus its financial services business on GrabPay, insurance and lending.(Screenshot from Grab Holdings' website) 
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's Grab closes GrabInvest, related investment products

Decision comes as part of efforts to streamline financial services

27 September 2023
Terra Motor plans to place its ultrafast chargers at easily accessible locations, like at post offices and supermarkets. (Photo by Hibiki Hakata)
Automobiles

Tokyo to have 1,000 new EV charging hubs, more than gas stations

Startup Terra Motors to install rapid chargers at Kojima electronics shops

27 September 2023
Grand finalists of the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition held in Singapore. (Photo courtesy of Singapore Management University)
Comment

Singapore attracts Western early-stage startups despite funding winter

New collaborations may appear as entrepreneurs seek early ties with Asia

26 September 2023
Versa, a Malaysian digital wealth startup, splits management fees between itself and asset managers. (Screenshot from Versa's website)
DealStreetAsia

Malaysian wealth startup Versa aims for profitability by 2027

CEO banks on annual doubling in gross transaction volume to meet goal

25 September 2023
"We are trying to provide a comprehensive platform," says Jejakin's Arfan Arlanda. (NIKKEI montage/Photo courtesy of Jejakin and screenshot from Gojek app)
Climate Change

Indonesia startup to supply carbon credits as nation begins trading

Working with Gojek, platform operator Jejakin tries to improve public awareness

25 September 2023
The 19th Asian Games is to kick off in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Saturday.  
Startups

Asian Games highlights Chinese startups behind the scenes

Region's largest sports event in Hangzhou to be attended by President Xi

23 September 2023
Bababos is a platform that allows small and medium-size manufacturers to access raw materials, from steel and other metal products to polymers and chemicals. (Screenshot from Bababos' website) 
DealStreetAsia

Indonesian raw material startup Bababos secures $3m seed funding

Procurement firm eyes accelerated expansion beyond Greater Jakarta, Surabaya

19 September 2023
Japanese securities law restricts limited partnerships from participating in coin offerings by startups.
Startups

Japan to let startups sell digital tokens to venture capital funds

Rules have restricted domestic investment in burgeoning Web3 field

16 September 2023
Japanese startup SkyDrive looks to develop its flying car in time for the  2025 World Expo in Osaka. (Photo courtesy of SkyDrive)
Startups

Japan's SkyDrive lands flying car pre-order from South Korea

Delivery of up to 50 cars to aircraft lessor Solyu set for as early as 2026

16 September 2023
Founded in 2018, Novelship recently collaborated with American rapper Snoop Dogg to expand its collection and has also launched its own branded T-shirts, socks, shoelaces and shoe sole protectors. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore sneaker marketplace Novelship bags $9.5m

Series B funding round led by VC firms in city-state, Indonesia and China

15 September 2023
The Red Fort in New Delhi. Xponentia Capital Partners is bullish on India's long-term growth. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Ken Kobayashi; logo from Xponentia Capital Partners' LinkedIn account)
DealStreetAsia

India-based Xponentia Capital Partners' Fund II crosses $120m

Private equity firm says oversubscribed vehicle tops initial $90.4m target

13 September 2023
The ELSA app, right: Vietnam's edtech sector has been drawing strong investor interest. (NIKKEI montage/Source photo by AP and screenshot from ELSA website)
DealStreetAsia

Vietnam English learning app ELSA raises $20m

Singapore-based UOB and existing investors supply the fresh funds

12 September 2023
From left: Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India Managing Partner Chua Kee Lock, Managing Partner Chua Joo Hock, General Partner Carmen Yuen and Managing Partner Ben Mathias. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Startups

Singapore's Vertex closes $541m ASEAN, India fund amid tech dip

New vehicle includes dedicated co-investment capital for female founders

12 September 2023
Vietnamese ride-hailing and delivery startup Be Group has struck a deal for discounted VinFast electric motorbikes at a time when the manufacturer is producing far below capacity. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Automobiles

Nasdaq-listed VinFast pushes EVs in Vietnam ride-hailing sector

Perks for 'Uber of Vietnam' may increase uptake in top electric scooter market

11 September 2023
The Hong Kong Investment Corp. was announced last October to promote industrial and economic development.
Caixin

Hong Kong's investment arm to start funding projects by year-end

Fintech and artificial intelligence among major sectors being targeted

10 September 2023
Kyle Shaw is managing partner of ShawKwei & Partners, a private equity industrial investor with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, San Francisco and Shanghai.
DealStreetAsia

ShawKwei & Partners buys two U.S.-based companies

Asian private equity firm invests in industrial companies in Asia, Europe, U.S.

8 September 2023
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is stepping up investment in startups to tap into emerging technologies.
Startups

Japan's MUFG launches fund for U.S., Israel AI startups

Financial group eyes new fintech services for bank unit and clients

8 September 2023
"Companies across various industries are exploring alternative avenues to raise capital," says Piramal Alternatives CEO Kalpesh Kikani. (NIKKEI montage/Source photo by Ken Kobayashi and logo from Piramal Alternatives website)
DealStreetAsia

India's Piramal Alternatives bullish on private capital

CEO says firm plans 'strategic' deployment of $1.5bn in fresh funds

7 September 2023