Google invested $300m in AI technology developer Anthropic while robotics unicorn UBTech filed for a Hong Kong IPO.
Public markets
UBTech Robotics Corp, a China-based humanoid robot manufacturer backed by corporates Tencent, Telstra, Haier Group, Easyhome Furnishings, Chia Tai Group, China General Nuclear, Anhui USTC iFlytek and CreditEase, has filed for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company was valued at $5bn as of its $820m series C round in 2018.
Funding
Internet technology conglomerate Alphabet’s Google subsidiary provided $300m in financing for US-based artificial intelligence technology developer Anthropic in late 2022, according to media reports. The deal gave Google a 10% stake and Anthropic revealed it has chosen Google Cloud as its preferred cloud services provider.
| Company | Company description | Sector | Country | Round | Round size($m) | Deal date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhaBuilder Synthetic | Synthetic microorganism material producer | Industrial | China | A | 89.7 (updated) | 06/02/2023 | PetroChina (CNPC Kunlun Capital) (lead), Sino Biological; Lhasa Alec Investment Consulting, Ministry of Finance (China Agricultural Industry Development Fund), China State-owned Enterprise Mixed Ownership Reform Fund, Z&H Investment, Shenzhen Guozhong Venture Capital Management, Sequoia Capital China, Huakong Electronics (Tianjin) Investment Management, GRC SinoGreen Fund, Beijing Linkong Xingrong Investment |
| Thinkre New Material | Hydrogen battery proton material developer | Energy and Natural Resources | China | C | 35.4 | 06/02/2023 | BAIC (BAIC Capital), Great Wall Motor (FTXT Energy Technology), Yutong Bus; Sequoia Capital China (lead), Genertec Investment, Bridge Capital, Yingding Investment, Roton Capital, Sihai New Material Investment Fund Management |
| Triple Whale | Ecommerce analytics software provider | Consumer | US | B | 25 | 02/02/2023 | Shopify; NFX, Elephant |
| Samooha | Cross-cloud data collaboration platform | IT | US | A | 12.5 | 02/02/2023 | Snowflake (Snowflake Ventures); Altimeter Capital (lead) |
| Penpot | Developer-focused collaboration platform developer | IT | Spain | N/A | 12 | 02/02/2023 | Cisco (Decibel) (lead); Athos |
| AnswersNow | Digital behavioural therapy provider | Healthcare | Canada | A | 11 | 02/02/2023 | American Family Insurance (American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact); Left Lane Capital (lead), Blue Heron Capital, Difference Partners, Lani Fritts |
| BloomX | Biomimicking pollination technology developer | Industrial | Israel | Seed | 8 | 02/02/2023 | Ahern Agribusiness (lead), BioBee; Vasuki Global Tech Fund, Israeli Innovation Authority, Gal Yarden |
| PowerX | Power storage and transmission technology developer | Energy and Natural Resources | Japan | 5.7 | 06/02/2023 | Food Techno Engineering; MY.Alpha Management HK Advisors, Chugoku Bank (Chugin Capital Partners), unnamed private investors | |
| My NFT Wars | Web3 gaming metaverse developer | Media | Ukraine | N/A | 2 | 04/02/2023 | Social Discovery Group (co-lead), Blockchain Cuties Universe (co-lead), iLogos Game Studios (co-lead); Nika Tech Family, Blackshield Capital, Wannabiz, Fedor Drozdovski, Potap (Alex Potapenko), Vinor Zukhubaia |
| Inkle | US tax compliance service | Financial | India | N/A | 1.5 | 06/02/2023 | Credit Saison (Saison Capital); Picus Capital, Force Ventures |
| Ooca | Mental health teleconsultation platform | Healthcare | Thailand | A | N/A | 06/02/2023 | Bangkok Dusit Medical Services |
| Pathify | University student engagement platform | Services | US | N/A | N/A | 02/02/2023 | Brex (Brex Asset Management) |
| Ak’la Kara International | Turkish dubbing studio operator | Media | Turkey | N/A | N/A | 03/02/2023 | Iyuno |
