Asia news roundup: Ninja Van bags $87m, 500 Startups’ first series B lead, and more

Photo credit: Ninja Van

Here’s a wrap of the day’s news.

Delivery and logistics

Ninja Van raises at least US$87 million (Singapore). European courier firm DPDgroup joined the series C round, which is one of the largest in Southeast Asian history, alongside ACE Capital and several other investors. Last-mile logistics startup Ninja Van, which has a presence in several Asian countries, said it would use the funding to improve its technology and operational capabilities. (Tech in Asia)

Enterprise software

SmartHR secures US$13.3 million in series B fundraise (Japan). 500 Startups led the investment in the HR management platform, with Tokio Marine, Nikko, and CVC Capital Partners among the other participants. The funding marks the first time that seed-focused 500 Startups has led a series B round anywhere in the world. (Tech in Asia)

Bluzelle ICO raises US$19.5 million in one day (Singapore). The startup is building a blockchain-based decentralized database for developers. Prior to its token sale, Bluzelle – which counts OCBC, MUFG, ZagBank, and HSBC among its clients – raised traditional VC funding. (Bluzelle)

Ecommerce

BeliMobilGue closes US$3.7 million pre-series A round (Indonesia). The online used cars marketplace raised the funds from Intudo Ventures – which led the round – and several other investors, including Go-Jek co-founder Michaelangelo Moran. BeliMobilGue, which is a joint venture of Intudo and Berlin-based Frontier Car Group, said it would use the capital to expand its physical network, enhance sales and marketing efforts, and hire new staff. (BeliMobilGue)

Meanwhile, its rival Carmudi also nabbed funding (Southeast Asia). The Berlin-based network of car classifieds sites secured US$10 million from investors including HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, Tengelmann Ventures, and Asia Pacific Internet Group to fund its expansion in Southeast Asian markets. Carmudi currently operates sites in Indonesia and the Philippines; it sold its Vietnam business to Sweden’s Fram late last year. (Carmudi)

Transportation

Photo credit: HelloBike

Hellobike rumored to be raising US$1 billion (China). The bike-sharing service is said to be close to completing a US$1 billion fundraise with investment from Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial, Fosun Capital, and GGV Capital. (Technode)

Investors, incubators, and accelerators

Crowdfunding platforms adopt code of practice (Singapore). Give.asia, Giving.sg, The Ray Of Hope Initiative, and SimplyGiving have pledged to follow the new Code of Practice for Online Charitable Fundraising Appeals, which they developed with the city-state’s Commissioner of Charities. The code comprises best practices for crowdfunding to ensure the legitimacy, accountability, and transparency of charitable appeals hosted on the platforms. (Yahoo)

See: Previous Asia news roundups