Sumitomo Electric Industries and KDDI are among the backers of a newly launched Japan-based fund that will invest in robotics startups.

Bertelsmann-backed lifestyle e-commerce company Pepperfry has entered talks to raise up to $80m from existing and new investors.

The Israel-based solar inverter maker, which counts Norwest Venture Partners and GE Capital as backers, intends to float on Nasdaq.

Itochu and Mitsubishi UFJ both exited the online flash sales company in a $14.8m purchase by internet company Mixi.

Google's growth equity unit is interviewing candidates to head up an office in India, its first outside the United States.

Tencent and Wanda are among the likely investors in the restaurant listings and reviews site, which could boost its total funding to almost $1.5bn.

Sony and Abbott-backed incubator Rainbow Medical has attracted the support of China-based corporates ZTE and Ping An, raising $25m.