Photo credit: tashka / 123RF
Here’s a wrap of the day’s news.
Transportation
Google and SoftBank keep on truckin’, join US$1.9 billion investment in Manbang (China). The Japanese firm’s US$100 billion Vision Fund led the mega-funding round, with Google’s CapitalG, China Reform Fund, and Ward Ferry also participating. Truck-hailing service Manbang – the result of a November 2017 merger between “Uber for trucks” startups Huochebang and Yunmanman – said it would use the funding to develop new business areas and markets. (Reuters)
International Finance Corporation considering US$4 million investment in PickMe (Sri Lanka). The World Bank’s private investment arm proposed the investment for the Sri Lankan ride-hailing app in support of the company’s nationwide expansion plans. PickMe has around 20,000 registered freelancer drivers providing services on revenue sharing basis. (Deal Street Asia)
Fintech
** Capital Float raises US$22 million in funding from Amazon (India).** The Bangalore-based online lending startup confirmed that Amazon’s investment came as part of its $45 million series C round from last year, bringing its total funding over the past 12 months to US$67 million. Capital Float has a total customer base of 80,000 people in over 300 cities and, with the recent funding, has set an ambitious goal of adding 300,000 new customers and handing out over US$800 million in loans within the year. (Techcrunch)
** Online AI program in finance launches (Singapore/England).** Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the London-based Centre for Finance, Technology, and Entrepreneurship will jointly launch the online “Artificial Intelligence in Finance” course this June. The program will address AI’s role in the finance sector. Over 20 fintech thought leaders and insiders are expected to share insights and real-life case studies of how AI is changing the worldwide industry. (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
Delivery and logistics
Meituan-Dianping and Ele.me respond to data breach (China). The food delivery giants have spoken out after it emerged that personal data of apps’ users is being offered for sale for less than US$0.02 per person. Local media found thousands of names, contact numbers, and addresses available for purchase. Meituan-Dianping has reported the case to the police and Ele.me said it is investigating the leak.(TechNode)
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies
Shenzhen establishes US$79.2 billion blockchain venture capital fund (China). The southern Chinese city announced the VC fund during a recent blockchain expo. It is only the second major Chinese city to set up its own blockchain fund after Hangzhou, which had a US$1.6 billion government-backed vehicle to invest in innovative firms using the technology. (China Money Network)
Media and entertainment
Canva acquires Zeetings (Australia). The online design and publishing company announced its acquisition of fellow Sydney-based company Zeetings, a cloud-based presentation and content interaction platform. The acquisition follows Canva’s successful funding of US$40 million from investors’ Blackbird Ventures and Sequoia Capital at the start of the year. (Canva)
Video startup Oovvuu raises $3.8 million in funding (Australia). The latest round was co-led by Cygnet Capital and CapitalPitch. The Sydney-based artificial intelligence video startup has more than 40 publishers and broadcasters on board, including the ABC, Al Jazeera, BBC, Endemol Shine, The Guardian, HBO, News Corp, SBS, and Seven West. . (Deal Street Asia)
Enterprise software and services
Sprout closes seed round to accelerate expansion (The Philippines). The HR-tech startup closed a USD$1.6 million seed round led by Kickstart Ventures. It will use the capital for product development. Sprout is the developer of Sprout Insight, an AI and predictive analytics solution for human resources, and Sprout Recruit, a management system for clients’ hiring process. (Sprout Solutions)
See: Previous Asia tech news roundups
This post Asia news roundup: Google and SoftBank in $1.9b Manbang funding, data leak at Meituan, and more appeared first on Tech in Asia.
from Tech in Asia https://www.techinasia.com/apac-news-24-04-2018
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment