Chinese startup Full Truck Alliance breaks even en route to IPO

China’s Uber-for-trucks startup Full Truck Alliance said it’s weighing an initial public offering after breaking even from May, defying a sector-wide downturn. The company, which is backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., said its improved financial performance dovetailed with its decision not to follow through on a plan to raise as much as $1… Continue reading Chinese startup Full Truck Alliance breaks even en route to IPO

Hedge fund Steadview in talks to lead $50m round in 2-wheeler rental startup Vogo

Hedge fund Steadview Capital is in talks to lead a $50 million funding round in two-wheeler rental startup Vogo, said two people aware of the matter. Existing investors such as venture capital firms Matrix Partners, Stellaris Venture Partners and Kalaari Capital are also expected to participate in the round, said the people cited above, who requested anonymity as the talks… Continue reading Hedge fund Steadview in talks to lead $50m round in 2-wheeler rental startup Vogo

China’s search engine giant Baidu to invest $202m in AI firm Neusoft

A man using a laptop computer walks past an illuminated sign for Baidu Inc. at the Baidu Technology Park in Beijing, China, on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. Photographer: Bloomberg/Bloomberg China’s search engine giant Baidu said on Tuesday it will invest 1.44 billion yuan (164.03 million pounds) in artificial intelligence firm Neusoft Holdings, with a view… Continue reading China’s search engine giant Baidu to invest $202m in AI firm Neusoft

China’s CATL acquires stake in Australian lithium miner PilbaraMinerals

Chinese battery firm CATL has taken a stake in Australian lithium miner PilbaraMinerals, both companies said on Wednesday, after a supply glut hammered the sector and forced Pilbara to raise equity to fund working capital. CATL, one of China’s leading electric-vehicle battery makers, has bought an 8.5% stake in Pilbara as part of a A$91.5 million ($61.8 million) capital… Continue reading China’s CATL acquires stake in Australian lithium miner PilbaraMinerals

China Digest: Qiming invests $30m in Huimei; AutoX to deploy robo-taxis in Shanghai

Qiming has invested $30m in Huimei Technology, a Chinese medical AI solutions player, while AutoX and Shanghai authorities have announced a partnership to pilot the real-world use case of the country’s driverless future. Qiming invests $30m in Huimei Technology Huimei Technology, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI)-powered medical solutions provider, has raised $30 million in a… Continue reading China Digest: Qiming invests $30m in Huimei; AutoX to deploy robo-taxis in Shanghai

India: Bike taxi startup Rapido raises $55.5m funding led by WestBridge

Bike taxi startup Rapido has raised around ₹400 crore in a round led by WestBridge Capital. New investors that have participated in this round include Alibaba’s BAce Capital and Shunwei Capital, along with existing investor Nexus, according to regulatory filings with the MCA, sourced from Paper.vc. This investment continues to mark the trend of investor… Continue reading India: Bike taxi startup Rapido raises $55.5m funding led by WestBridge

Tata Motors defers planned fundraise of up to $1.5b

 Tata Motors Ltd has indefinitely deferred a planned fundraise of up to $1.5 billion in foreign currency loans after failing to garner sufficient interest from potential lenders, two people directly aware of the development said, requesting anonymity. The funds were to be raised by a Singapore-based entity of Tata Motors to refinance existing loans of Tata Motors… Continue reading Tata Motors defers planned fundraise of up to $1.5b

Volkswagen mulls buying stake in Chinese auto suppliers

Volkswagen AG is exploring potential investments in Chinese automotive suppliers as it seeks to secure access to key technology in the world’s largest car market, people familiar with the matter said. Options under discussion include buying equity stakes or forging joint ventures with Chinese suppliers, particularly firms with technology used in electric vehicles, according to… Continue reading Volkswagen mulls buying stake in Chinese auto suppliers

India: Hero MotoCorp’s Pawan Munjal in talks to invest in Ola Electric

Pawan Munjal might be the next big investor after Ratan Tata to invest in Ola Electric. Billionaire Pawan Munjal, chairman of Hero MotoCorp Ltd—India’s largest two-wheeler maker by sales—is in advanced talks to invest in the electric mobility arm of ride-hailing company Ola, said four people directly aware of the development. An investment in Ola… Continue reading India: Hero MotoCorp’s Pawan Munjal in talks to invest in Ola Electric