Changcheng Investment Partners is an independent firm sponsored by Baidu and managed by its ex-CFO that will target internet and artificial intelligence.

Existing investors Legend Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures and Taikang Insurance all took part as the drug developer took its total funding to more than $530m.

The artificial intelligence development startup has emerged from stealth with funding from backers including Robert Bosch and Samsung.

The optical frequency spinout from Tokyo Institute of Technology has secured series B funding from investors including the institution's Innovations and Future Creation fund.

Bertelsmann-backed learning assistance platform Knowbox has received series C funding from returning investor Tal Education Group and Yunfeng Capital.

Goldman Sachs is set to lead a $300m funding round for used vehicle e-commerce platform Renrenche that will include existing backer Didi Chuxing.

The Qihoo 360-backed electric vehicle developer is set to close a $474m round in May this year, according to its founder and CEO.

The beauty retailer added $11.2m to a round now sized at $25.5m, on the heels of 2016 investments from Max Group and TCL.

ICI Ishii Sports led a $10.9m round for the mountaineering community app developer that also featured Morinaga and Company, Japan Asia Group, SRL and several banks.