Services

SIG helped close a series A-plus round for Jikestar Programming for Children, with some of the cash earmarked for a new AI-powered student support technology.

Its technology sector is the bedrock but the innovation boost the country needs is beginning to happen.

A snapshot of the corporate-backed venturing activity in Asia-Pacific show it is the second most active region in terms of corporate-backed venture deals and exit count.

The additional cash would be added to the $1.5bn second tranche of warrant financing agreed by SoftBank and the beleaguered We Company late last year.

Recruit Strategic Partners chipped into a round that startup services provider ZenBusiness will use for expansion and platform development.

American Express Ventures and the BBVA-backed Propel Venture Partners have both invested in Drum, which has just launched its on-demand marketing platform.

CyberAgent, Marui, Mercari and Money Forward are all in line for exits after e-commerce technology provider Base received approval for its initial public offering.

Conichi has been purchased by strategic investor HRS and will be integrated into the travel booking platform's business division.

The GV-backed recruitment analysis technology provider has now raised about $310m in total, with T.Rowe Price leading its latest round.

Summary of corporate-backed funding initiatives 2011-19

R/GA-backed delivery fulfillment network Darkstore has raised $21m in a round led by venture fund EQT Ventures that took its total funding to $30m.