Asia tech news roundup – Jan 9

Photo credit: James / Wikimedia Commons

Here’s a wrap of the day’s top tech headlines.

Social media

Grindr picked up by Kunlun (China/US). Chinese gaming company Kunlun has acquired the remaining 37 percent stake of gay dating app Grindr in a US$152 million deal. It purchased around 62 percent of the US-based firm’s shares in January 2016. (China Money Network)

Marketing and advertising

Equity investment for nexlabs (Myanmar). The digital marketing and consulting startup has raised a six-figure sum from Singapore-based Vulpes Innovative Myanmar Investment Company. Previous backer Blibros Capital Partners also participated in the round. (DealStreetAsia)

Software

Canva CEO and co-founder Melanie Perkins / Photo credit: Canva

Canva scores US$40 million funding (Australia). The cash injection takes graphic design app Canva’s valuation over US$1 billion, making it Australia’s latest unicorn. Blackbird Ventures led the round, with Sequoia Capital joining in. Aussie enterprise software company Atlassian, best known for its issue-tracking app Jira, was also a unicorn before it listed in the US in 2015.  (Tech in Asia)

Transportation

Didi Chuxing confirms details of its new bike-sharing platform (China). After acquiring a stake in Bluegogo, Didi today revealed it will host the ailing bike-sharing operator on a new platform that’s in development. Didi’s app will also host Ofo and other third-party providers, as well as have its own branded service. Users of the platform will not be required to pay a deposit. (Didi Chuxing)

Ola partners with ICICI Bank (India). CICI customers will now be able to book and pay for Ola rides through the bank’s mobile banking apps. Meanwhile, users of the ride-hailing service can apply for and receive “small ticket” digital credit from ICICI. The two companies are also launching a co-branded credit card to provide promotional offers to holders. (ICICI)

Investors, incubators, and accelerators

A class at Mediacorp Studios’ new VR incubator / Photo credit: Mediacorp

Mediacorp Studios establishes virtual reality incubator (Singapore). The 12-month incubator program will train local VR experts to produce experiential content for viewers of the media company’s TV and online channels, as well as for its brand-owner clients. (Mediacorp)  

Baidu and Asia Mobility Industries (AMI) establish US$200 million self-driving fund (China/Singapore). To promote the adoption of its Apollo open-source autonomous driving platform, Chinese internet company Baidu has teamed up with Singapore’s AMI. The two firms will also form a joint venture. (China Money Network)

Baidu is also partnering with US online education portal Udacity. Among the projects the two will collaborate on are introductory courses for the Apollo platform. (Technode)