Startups

Besides its ongoing fourth fund, Matrix Partners India is also looking to raise another sidecar fund of $14.75 million. (Source photo by AP and logo from Matrix Partners India's website)
DealStreetAsia

Matrix Partners India raises $517m for fourth fund

Early backer of ride aggregator Ola exceeds $450m target, aims to hit $525m

24 May 2023
Janio provides integrated logistics solutions to e-commerce brands, logistics service providers and marketplaces in Southeast Asia. (Source photo from Getty Images and logo from Janio's Facebook account)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore logistics service provider Janio secures fresh funding

Vertex Venture funds pumps $8m into startup; warrants can double the amount

23 May 2023
The partnership is the first between a global institutional investor and a listed real estate investment trust in India. (Source photo from Reuters and logo from Brookfield India Real Estate Trust website)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's GIC, Brookfield India buy $1.4b of commercial property

Acquisition adds numerous office locations in Mumbai and Gurugram

22 May 2023
Metagen Therapeutics, a Yamagata-based startup, is trying to utilize aggregated intestinal bacteria data for drug discovery with Juntendo University and others.
Health Care

Japan sees poop as valuable resource for health research, business

Universities and companies are studying feces for medical breakthroughs

20 May 2023
EngTek's CEO and chairman, Teh Yong Khoon, will continue in those roles at the company, which is based in Penang, Malaysia. (Source photos by Reuters and screenshots from PrimeMovers Equity and EngTek websites)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's PrimeMovers, partner, take stake in Malaysia's EngTek

Transaction values machining components manufacturer at about $112m

19 May 2023
Akalarp Yimwilai, pictured, has resigned from his post as a director of troubled crypto exchange Zipmex Asia. (Source photo from  ZIPMEX's website and Akalarp Yimwilai's Facebook page)
DealStreetAsia

Akalarp Yimwilai quits as director of crypto exchange Zipmex Asia

Company says talks with potential investors not making progress

18 May 2023
East Ventures has invested in over 300 companies in Southeast Asia. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from East Ventures social media)
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia-focused East Ventures raises $250m for latest fund

First round close of Growth Plus vehicle pushes firm's funds raised to $835m

17 May 2023
Japan is looking to make it easier for talented foreign workers to start a business in the country. (Photo by Azusa Kawakami)
Japan immigration

Japan to relax rules for startup visas, seeking foreign talent

Private companies will be able to check eligibility, speeding process

17 May 2023
Saratoga Investama Sedaya has invested in a range of companies across Southeast Asia since its founding in 1997. (Source photos by screenshot from Saratoga's website and Reuters) 
DealStreetAsia

Indonesia's Saratoga to cut natural resources investment exposure

Firm aiming to invest up to about $150m in renewable energy, health care this year

16 May 2023
Chinese electronics maker Anker opened a store in Tokyo's trendy Omotesando district in March. (Photo by Miu Koyama)
Electronics

Chinese charger maker Anker pursues Xiaomi-like diversification

With nearly all its sales overseas, company makes forays from vacuums to headphones

16 May 2023
In India, as in many countries across Asia, these are volatile times for startups and the alternative investment firms that back them in the private markets.
Business Insight

Venture capital crunch will hit India harder than U.S., China

Startups face valuation hangovers and fewer public fundraising options

15 May 2023
BYJU is said to be aiming to soon close out $1 billion of investment. (Source photo by AP and logo from BYJU's website)
DealStreetAsia

India edtech Byju's gets $250m from U.S.-based Davidson Kempner

Talks said underway for another $750m from a sovereign fund by end of May

15 May 2023
Flash Coffee plans to continue growing in Indonesia, already its most mature market. (Screenshot from Flash Coffee's website) 
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's Flash Coffee closes Series B funding round at $50m

Grab-and-go chain to use fresh capital for Asia-Pacific expansion

12 May 2023
Tishman Speyer, which has been actively investing in India and China in recent years, is seeking to expand in the Asia-Pacific region. (Screenshot from Tishman Speyer's website)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's Raffles Family Office teams up with Tishman Speyer

New York-based property developer aims to expand Asia-Pacific footprint

11 May 2023
Mumbai's financial district is shown in the background. Indian startups are turning to venture debt for working capital. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from Stride Ventures website)
DealStreetAsia

India's Stride Ventures hits first close of debt fund at $100m

Growing demand for capital spurs launch of new vehicles in recent months

10 May 2023
Hanoi-based Teky focuses on the delivery of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) education. (Source photo by Getty Images)
DealStreetAsia

Vietnamese edtech startup Teky gets funding for service expansion

Singapore-based firm Sweef Capital invests $5m from women's empowerment fund

9 May 2023
 SMFG in recent years has successively invested in financial institutions in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and India.
Finance

SMBC launches $200m fund to invest in Asian fintech startups

Japan bank, VC firm eye 'Banking as a Service' tech with Singapore-based fund

8 May 2023
Wavemaker Impact is focused on building companies that have the potential to reach $100 million in recurring revenue and also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100 million tonnes annually. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from YouTube)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore-based Wavemaker Impact nearing final close of debut fund

Founding partner says builder of climate tech ventures may exceed target

8 May 2023
Chad Ovel says Mekong Capital will remain "a very disciplined investor." (Photo courtesy of Mekong Capital)
Markets

Vietnam startup valuations could fall 50%, leading investor says

Mekong Capital weighs new fund to profit from 'massive opportunity'

5 May 2023
Launched in 2006, Simon Black-led Ppro helps online services and e-commerce sites accept various payment options. (Source photos courtesy of Ppro and screenshot from Ppro’s website)
Finance

Fintech unicorn Ppro eyes India expansion, Japan entry: CEO

Company partners with UPI payments system in world's most populous country

4 May 2023
Shinhan Financial Group is preparing to launch its first fund dedicated to startups from both Japan and South Korea.
Startups

Shinhan Financial to launch Japan-South Korea startup fund

Seoul-based group expands its Japanese footprint

3 May 2023
Prodrone, which has received funding from Jtekt, develops commercial drones. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Technology

Toyota unit funds Japanese startup for 'flying minitruck' drone

Jtekt's capacitors to help Prodrone vehicles transport emergency supplies

2 May 2023
Sumitomo Corp. plans to sell insect feed for farmed fish, made by grinding black soldier flies.
Agriculture

Japan's Sumitomo taps into insect feed business

Trading house aims to sell 30,000 tonnes of food for farmed fish by 2030 in Japan

30 April 2023
A.L.I. Technologies tests a hoverbike over Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi prefecture. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Startups

Foothills of Mount Fuji emerge as proving grounds for startups

Japan's Yamanashi prefecture lavishes support on forward-thinking ventures

29 April 2023
A worker at the Genghis Khan Statue Complex in Mongolia in 2019. The Hopu Magnolia Fund focuses on buyouts across the country.
DealStreetAsia

China's Hopu raises $141m for China-focused buyout fund

Private equity company has received at least 18 investor commitments

27 April 2023