Author: Deal Street Asia Online News

Alibaba, Baidu cut prices of large language models used to power AI chatbotsA price war in China’s cloud computing space has been ongoing.

Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Baidu slashed prices on Tuesday of large-language models (LLMs) used to power generative artificial intelligence products, as a price war in the cloud computing sector heats up in China. Alibaba’s cloud unit announced price cuts of up to 97% on a range of its Tongyi Qwen LLMs. Its Qwen-Long model, for instance, will… Continue reading Alibaba, Baidu cut prices of large language models used to power AI chatbotsA price war in China’s cloud computing space has been ongoing.

China’s Xpeng eyes higher Q2 deliveries as discounts boost EV demand

Xpeng said it expects deliveries to rise in the second quarter as price cuts draw in more buyers to its electric vehicles in the competitive Chinese market, sending its U.S.-listed shares 6% higher in premarket trading on Tuesday. The company said it expects to hand over between 29,000 and 32,000 vehicles, an increase of about 25% to 37.9% from the… Continue reading China’s Xpeng eyes higher Q2 deliveries as discounts boost EV demand

US SEC sends positive signal by asking exchanges to fine-tune ether ETF filings

The US securities regulator on Monday asked Nasdaq, CBOE and NYSE to fine–tune their applications to list spot ether exchange-traded-funds (ETFs), signaling the agency may be poised to approve the filings, four people familiar with the process told Reuters. While the exchange applications are the first step in a two-step approval process, a Securities and Exchange Commission green light would mark a major, and surprising,… Continue reading US SEC sends positive signal by asking exchanges to fine-tune ether ETF filings

Scale AI valued at $14b following funding from Amazon, Meta, others

Scale AI said on Tuesday it had raised $1 billion in a late-stage funding round led by venture capital firm Accel with participation from tech giants Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta, valuing the AI data startup at nearly $14 billion. Top tech companies are racing to build AI into their products and services. Startups catering to the surge in demand for AI chips and… Continue reading Scale AI valued at $14b following funding from Amazon, Meta, others

India Digest: KKR invests in Infinx; ThinKuvate launches fund; Rare Rabbit funding roundKKR’s investment will help accelerate Infinx’s growth, expand …

Global investment firm KKR-managed fund picked a majority stake in healthcare revenue solutions provider Infinx while Singapore-based angel investment network ThinKuvate has launched its India fund. Separately, men’s apparel and fashion brand Rare Rabbit is closing its maiden institutional funding round. KKR invests in Infinx Global investment firm KKR’s managed fund has signed a deal… Continue reading India Digest: KKR invests in Infinx; ThinKuvate launches fund; Rare Rabbit funding roundKKR’s investment will help accelerate Infinx’s growth, expand …

Carlyle Group raises $2.8b for its largest Japan-focused buyout fund

US investment giant Carlyle Group said on Tuesday it had raised 430 billion yen ($2.8 billion) for its fifth Japan buyout fund, its largest investment vehicle for Japan. Strong demand and backing from domestic and global investors helped it raise nearly 70% more than its previous fund, Carlyle said in a statement, adding that it… Continue reading Carlyle Group raises $2.8b for its largest Japan-focused buyout fund

India Digest: Dutch Triodos invests in Varthana; Humors Tech raises funding

Varthana, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) focused on the education sector, has secured about $3 million in funding from Dutch investor Triodos while healthtech startup Humors Tech has closed its pre-seed funding round. Triodos invests $3m in Varthana Varthana, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) focused on the education sector, has secured about $3 million (Rs… Continue reading India Digest: Dutch Triodos invests in Varthana; Humors Tech raises funding

People Digest: LeapFrog strengthens climate team; Eastspring names new Malaysia chief

LeapFrog Investments has appointed Souleymane Ba as co-head of climate strategy, while Eastspring Investments has named Yap Siok Hoon as CEO of its Malaysia unit. LeapFrog names Souleymane Ba as co-head of climate LeapFrog Investments has strengthened its climate team with the appointment of Souleymane Ba as partner and co-head of its climate strategy. Souleymane… Continue reading People Digest: LeapFrog strengthens climate team; Eastspring names new Malaysia chief

Value creation takes centre stage as Asian GPs focus on long-term growth amid slowdownAsian PE funds are approaching the region from a more sector-foc…

“Value-add” is a term often used as a selling point by Asian fund managers, but how many are actually equipped to deliver it? It’s a question that has become more pertinent as they grapple with inflationary fuel and labour pressures, volatile emerging market currencies, and an overall slower growth environment.  Go to Source