Carmen Automotive secures $730k in pre-Series A round led by Silicon Solution Ventures

January 3, 2019 Singapore-based automotive data analytics company Carmen Automotive has raised S$1 million ($730,000) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Silicon Solution Ventures (SSV). SEEDS Capital also participated in this round. According to an official statement, Carmen aims to raise its Series A round in the next 12 months on the back… Continue reading Carmen Automotive secures $730k in pre-Series A round led by Silicon Solution Ventures

India Digest: Sazerac ups JDPL stake; Sachin Bansal pays advance tax; Ola to raise funds

January 3, 2019 Sazerac has acquired an additional 20 per cent stake in Indian liquor maker John Distilleries Pvt Ltd (JDPL) from private equity firm Gaja Capital. In other developments, Sachin Bansal has paid advance tax on the gains incurred from the sale of his stake in Flipkart while cab-hailing firm Ola is in the process of… Continue reading India Digest: Sazerac ups JDPL stake; Sachin Bansal pays advance tax; Ola to raise funds

China’s CITIC announces restructuring of special steel business

January 3, 2019 Hong Kong-listed Chinese conglomerate CITIC Limited on Wednesday announced that it is restructuring its special steel business by consolidating the assets under the Shenzhen-listed entity Daye Special Steel. As part of the restructuring exercise, Daye Special Steel, in which CITIC indirectly owns a 58.13 per cent stake, has signed an agreement to… Continue reading China’s CITIC announces restructuring of special steel business

Tencent co-invests $29m in automobile news provider Youche Yihou

January 2, 2019 China’s biggest social media and gaming company Tencent has co-invested RMB200 million ($29.07 million) in automobile news and information provider Youche Yihou, China Money Network reported. Other investors in the new round include China’s venture capital firm Plum Ventures, Ningbo Xinmei Asset Management Co., Shenzhen Oriental Fortune Capital Co. and Blueprint Innovation… Continue reading Tencent co-invests $29m in automobile news provider Youche Yihou

China’s Didi launches credit, wealth management services in diversification push

January 2, 2019 China’s Didi Chuxing has launched a suite of financial products, including crowdfunding and lending, as it continues to diversify outside the ride-hailing business following a year of safety scandals. The move comes on the heels of a company-wide reorganization announced in December, which was aimed at improving safety on its platform as… Continue reading China’s Didi launches credit, wealth management services in diversification push

China’s EV startup Faraday Future ends dispute with main investor

January 2, 2019 Chinese electric vehicle developer Faraday Future said on Monday it signed a new restructuring agreement with a unit of its main investor, Evergrande Health Industry Group Ltd, ending a bitter legal fight and clearing the path for raising funds. Season Smart, which agreed to be bought by China’s Evergrande Health, will now… Continue reading China’s EV startup Faraday Future ends dispute with main investor

India: Logistics startup BlackBuck bags $12.4m from Sands Capital, IFC

January 1, 2019 Logistics startup BlackBuck has raised $12.43 million (Rs 87.02 crore) in a funding round led by existing investor Sands Capital, and International Finance Corporation (IFC), a part of the World Bank Group, VCCircle reported. Quoting the company’s filings with the Registrar of Companies, the report said that Sands Capital has invested Rs 50.78… Continue reading India: Logistics startup BlackBuck bags $12.4m from Sands Capital, IFC

Japan’s NEC to spend around $1b to acquire Denmark’s KMD

December 27, 2018 Japan’s NEC Corp said on Thursday it will spend around 136 billion yen ($1.23 billion) to purchase KMD, which is Denmark’s largest IT company. NEC said the reason for the acquisition is KMD’s business matches its “NEC Safer Cities” initiative, which provides IT services and that governments can use for crime prevention,… Continue reading Japan’s NEC to spend around $1b to acquire Denmark’s KMD

Tesla sets up financial leasing unit in Shanghai in accelerated China push

December 27, 2018 Tesla Inc has registered a financial leasing company in China, a local business registration filing shows, in the latest sign the U.S. electric car maker is attempting to speed up its push into China. The California-based carmaker, led by billionaire Chief Executive Elon Musk, has opened a wholly-owned financial leasing unit in… Continue reading Tesla sets up financial leasing unit in Shanghai in accelerated China push