Emerging Markets

Beijing Government has established a $4.6B fund called the Beijing Science & Technology Innovation Fund. The fund is a fund-of-funds with an objective to invest in no more than 100 funds globally to fund core technology innovations. (link)

1H 2018 China venture capital exceeded $11B. (link)

China is now the most prolific producer of supercomputers. China has so far produced 206 of the 500 supercomputers in the world. Supercomputers are strategically important advancement of technology to enable massive…

PwC is buying part of a Singapore-based blockchain solution service provider. The acquisition is intended to accelerate PwC’s efforts in implementing blockchain for supply chain applications.(link)

Didi and Volkswagen are teaming up to build new fleets of cars with autonomous driving capabilities. VW would own about 40% of the joint venture and provide 100,000 cars and technology to distribute via Didi’s network in China. (link)

China’s Ministry of Education has officially approved Westlake University, a private institute that is something of an anomaly in the country’s tertiary education sector. Westlake is China’s first private comprehensive institute for advanced scientific study.(link)

Fosun, one of the most acquisitive conglomerates in China, is looking to invest more than $3b in technology over 3 years. Fosun has invested in a number of foreign companies including entertainment, retail, life style brands, bio tech, fintech, and real estate. (link)

WeChat developed a viral game called Jump that has amassed 100m players. Brands like Nike and McDonald’s are taking notes and advertising on Jump. Each ad costs a reportedly $3.2M to run 5 days. (link)

688 million people send Chinese New Year hongbao (red envelop containing money) through Wechat’s mobile wallets. Hongbao is sent traditionally from elders to kids in celebration of the new year. (link)