Small scale biofuel refiner, Cool Planet Energy Systems from the US, is getting closer to its ultimate business plan to build biofuel refineries across the US and Asia following a funding tranche and a joint venture. The company has an enviable list of corporate venturing backers including Google Ventures and BP.
Author: Katherine Steiner-Dicks
INCJ gives Zeptor $7.2m jolt
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, a public-private partnership aimed at promoting innovation and enhancing the value of businesses in Japan, has invested $7.2m in US-based Zeptor, a battery technology company. The 27 corporate investors that invested collectively YEN14bn in the YEN280bn ($26bn) investment vehicle include Asahi Kasei Corporation, Canon Inc., Osaka Gas Co. and Sharp Corporation.
Bertelsmann puts app on track
Bertelsmann has come back to re-invest in a series B round of funding for China-based Dayima, a menstruation period tracking app. The financial details were not specified, but the latest round is worth tens of millions of dollars. Venture capital firm Sequoia Capital also participated.
Global Founders Capital makes Traveloka fly
Global Founders Capital, the corporate venturing arm of Rocket Internet and backed by the Samwer brothers, has invested an undisclosed amount of capital in a series A round of funding for Traveloka.com, an Indonesia-based flight booking website.
Infocom sources deal flow with Fenox
Japan-based IT group Infocom is working with US-based venture capital firm Fenox Venture Capital to bring global IT companies and services to Asia. Fenox will act as a bridge for global start-ups seeking entry to lucrative Asian markets. With this partnership in place, start-ups receiving investment from Fenox VC can then access the expertise of… Continue reading Infocom sources deal flow with Fenox
Daiichi Sankyo plants seed for uni pharma spin-off fund
Japan-based pharmaceutical company, Daiichi Sankyo, and Japan corporate investment unit Mitsubishi UFJ Capital have launched a new open innovation business through the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation (OiDE Fund Investment Limited Partnership). The fund will be operated by Mitsubishi UFJ Capital with combined commitments of YEN750m ($7.5m). Daiichi Sankyo has committed… Continue reading Daiichi Sankyo plants seed for uni pharma spin-off fund
Bertelsmann Asia deal Mo9 ‘pays back’
A mobile-based credit service that allows gamers to play and pay later has caught the eye and capital of corporate venturing outfit, Bertelsmann Asia Investment Fund, and venture capital firm, Sequoia Capital. The China-US outfit, Mo9, has raised millions of dollars in this series B round, according to the gaming sector press.
Rakuten takes $23m Slice
Rakuten, a Japan e-commerce and internet company, has led a $23m round of investment in US-based app developer, Slice. Slice uses the information buried in your email inbox to create fun and useful consumer applications and experiences. Slice is backed by DCM, Floodgate, Innovation Endeavors (Eric Schmidt), Lightspeed Venture Partners, NPD Group, Siguler Guff’s Russia… Continue reading Rakuten takes $23m Slice
Nexon-backed Shiver free to play
Nexon, a Japan free-to-play games publisher, that is best known for games like MapleStory and Combat Arms, has invested an undisclosed amount of capital in Shiver Entertainment. Shiver is a games studio founded by John Schappert, formerly of EA and Zynga. Schappert, who also founded Tiburon Entertainment, the developer behind the Madden series. Schappert only… Continue reading Nexon-backed Shiver free to play
Tuniu raises tidy $60m package
Tuniu, a China-based online travel package provider, which can name Japan e-commerce and internet company Rakuten as one of its investors, has raised $60m in a series D funding. The deal was led by Singapore-based investment firm Temasek and US-based venture firm DCM. Existing backers also participated. Established in 2006, Tuniu.com focuses on domestic and international… Continue reading Tuniu raises tidy $60m package
South Korea exit culture: tortoise beats hare
Earlier this year The Korea Capital Market Institute estimated that the government measures there to support angel investors and start-up companies would initiate a subsequent 4.3 trillion won increase in venture investment over the next five years. And with angel investor data also rising, deal flow is naturally buoyant. But the impatient exit culture of this market could be setting up entrepreneurs and investors alike for failure.
Naspers keeps classified in Asia
South Africa media and internet services firm, Naspers, is not pulling out of the Indonesia and Philippines online service markets, despite the corporate investor having to bite the bullet and close two sites in those markets earlier this year. Two strong brands in the classified sector has proved that the right strategy works in any market.
ZhenFund enrols Super Curriculum
ZhenFund, a China angel investment firm founded by Xu Xiaoping, the co-founder and former Vice Chairman of NYSE-listed Chinese education services provider New Oriental, has invested an undisclosed RMB 7-digit figure in a second round of new funding for Guangzhou Zhoumo Network Technology. The China student-focused mobile SNS application developer will use the funds to add features to its “Super Curriculum” app and expand its development team.
Fenbi: IDG Capital goes back for more
IDG Capital Partners, the corporate venturing unit of international research group IDG, has re-invested in China-based Fenbi Technology, an online education SNS platform operator. IDG Capital Partners was joined by new investor Matrix Partners China in the $7m series B round.