Asia

July 7, 2016 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Virtuix, creators of the Omni platform that pairs active virtual reality to games and more, has formed a joint venture with Hero Entertainment, creators of the largest first-person shooter (FPS) game in China.  This is a significant deal for Virtuix as it opens up the… Read More

July 6, 2016 @ 10:31 am By JD Alois  |  

Fintech startup NeoGrowth has raised its largest funding round to date. This is according to a report by the company. Based in Mumbai, NeoGrowth will provide access to credit for small and medium-sized retailers across India. NeoGrowth has now raised $35 million (or INR 225… Read More

July 5, 2016 @ 2:21 pm By JD Alois  |  

LendIt and AMTD Group, a diversified financial service firm based in Hong Kong, have announced they are joining together to host the “first” Global Fintech Investment Summit in Hong Kong later this month. LendIt stated that over 80 Asian investors and 35+ international fintech companies… Read More

July 5, 2016 @ 7:25 am By JD Alois  |  

The city of Liverpool has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese city of Guiyang, a community that has been labeled the “Capital of Crowdfunding.”  Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou Province in Southwest China. The agreement follows a visit to Liverpool by a… Read More

July 4, 2016 @ 12:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

Collaboration and investment platform Fundnel is hosting the first Supply Chain Asia Hackathon Bootcamp in Singapore amidst a “manpower crunch.” The event is described as being in line with Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative designed to increase the adoption of technology in Supply and Logistics, one… Read More

July 2, 2016 @ 8:31 am By JD Alois  |  

According to a report by BBC, United Overseas Bank (UOB) based in Singapore has suspended real estate loans for property in the UK. The UK property market has been one of the hottest markets in the world for the past few years.  Asian investors from… Read More

June 29, 2016 @ 10:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

During a wide-ranging speech this week at the DBS Institutional Investor Symposium, Jacqueline Loh, Deputy Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), made the statement; “As a progressive and innovative financial centre, Singapore has much to offer to global investors in opening the door… Read More

June 26, 2016 @ 11:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

Fundnel, a collaborative crowdfunding investment platform based in Singapore, has formed a partnership with the Business Angel Network Southeast Asia (BANSEA), to pool resources and boost deal flow.  BANSEA ONE, backed by BANSEA and Fundnel, will become a key investor in early stage companies in… Read More

June 26, 2016 @ 10:40 pm By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this month Chinese search engine Baidu announced it would now require crowdfunding platforms to adhere to a strict set of qualifications designed to limit promotion from less reputable platforms. Baidu stated it would no longer open new accounts for crowdfunding platforms to access their… Read More

June 22, 2016 @ 12:14 pm By Samantha Hurst  |  

Real estate crowdfunding platform CoAssets (NSX:CAX) announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Chew Siang Chee as its new CIO. Chee is known as winner of Asia’s Best Treasurer at the Corporate Treasurer Marquee Awards 2015 and has expertise in cross-border currency transactions. Chee, commented: “Prior to my… Read More

June 22, 2016 @ 12:04 am By JD Alois  |  

Everybody’s Doing It. The State Bank of India (SBI) is the most recent government controlled financial entity that is embracing the Fintech rush. According to multiple reports, India’s largest bank has created a $30 million fund to help startups in the financial sector. The fund… Read More

June 21, 2016 @ 8:21 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Singapore-based private investment firm Shanda Group led Chinese billionaire Tianqiao Chen reported that Chen has raised his stake again in online lending platform Lending Club Corp following the recent ouster of founder and Chief Executive Renaud Laplanche. According to Reuters, Chen increased his Lending Club shares… Read More

June 20, 2016 @ 12:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

  If there is one area of crowdfunding where we consistently hear about unfilled, robust demand, it is Asian money looking to invest in high-quality real estate beyond the borders of their native country. While some real estate markets may be getting a bit hot,… Read More

June 18, 2016 @ 3:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Singapore Fintech Consortium and the Fintech Center of Korea, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work more closely in support of emerging technology in the financial sector. The Singapore group posted a brief statement on the arrangement; We are pleased to sign… Read More

June 16, 2016 @ 7:06 pm By Spencer Li  |  

Auto financing P2P platform Weidai.com received RMB 1 billion Series C Investment Founded in 2011, Weidai.com is China’s first and largest specialty P2P platform that focuses on providing secured automobile loans. It also provides used car financing services through partnerships with used car marketplaces. The company… Read More

June 16, 2016 @ 9:33 am By Oscar Jofre  |  

I’ve been in Shanghai and Hong Kong quite often over the last few months, speaking at events and meeting with partners. As a Canadian, what struck me most is scale. There is outstanding potential here, and that in itself isn’t at all surprising; but for… Read More

June 14, 2016 @ 7:50 am By Karmei Tse  |  

This is interesting. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a typically conservative government agency, has just released its proposal regarding raising capital online, including a guide on General Solicitation with examples for restricted and unrestricted platforms.  MAS has waved its digital wand over the private… Read More

June 10, 2016 @ 7:38 am By JD Alois  |  

This week the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed their approach to “securities crowdfunding” announcing that platforms may raise up to S$5 million (USD $3.7million) from both sophisticated and retail investors.  The approach is more in line with the UK than the US providing a… Read More

June 9, 2016 @ 7:48 am By JD Alois  |  

In February of 2015, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) published a consultation paper on facilitating investment crowdfunding.  Yesterday MAS published a “Response to Feedback Received” sharing their perspective on easing restrictions to raise capital online. MAS also publish a brief FAQ regarding proposals for… Read More

June 9, 2016 @ 7:20 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

On Wednesday (June 8), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced it is revamping the country’s crowdfunding industry by offering new ways for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to gain access to funds through securities-based crowdfunding (SCF) platforms easier. MAS stated in a press release it… Read More