Chinaccelerator Daily Digest 03/30/2021

CHINA:

1. Over 60% Chinese Gen-Z prefer domestic car brand; 1/4 prefer new energy vehicle

2. China’s Xiaomi launches premium phone to challenge Apple and Samsung and fill void left by Huawei

3. Huawei gains payment license after latest acquisition

4. Buffett-backed Chinese EV maker BYD profit up 162% in 2020

5. Didi said to be raising money for autonomous driving unit at US$6 billion value

6. NIO Temporarily Suspends Production for Five Working Days Due to Semiconductor Shortage

7. China’s Boyu Capital files to raise new PE fund, likely to be its largest

8. Chinese startup Energy Monster caught in legal dispute ahead of US listing

9. China’s corporate training service Yunxuetang enters unicorn club after $190m round

10. Chinese fintech Yincheng raises $76m Series C round led by GL Ventures, DCM

11. China’s Qihan Biotech nets $67m funding from LAV, Sequoia, others

12. Hong Kong digital asset custodian Hex Trust bags $6m in QBN-led round

Check out our latest podcast about “Evaluating the Rise of SaaS in China with Shao Lee, Partner at Global Founders Capital” here

Check out our latest blog post about “Top 5 Podcasts to Understand How VCs Make Decisions” here

Subscribe to Daily Digest Newsletter here

MOBILE-ONLY MARKETS:

1. Tazapay lands US$1.75M more for its digital escrow that helps reduce SMEs’ risk in cross-border transactions

2. AirAsia aims to fulfill super app ambition with upcoming launch of ride-hailing services in Malaysia

3. Vietnam launches first autonomous vehicle

CROSS-BORDER:

1. Facebook and Google reveal plans to build subsea cables between U.S. and Southeast Asia

2. China’s Didi Chuxing to start ride-hailing service in South Africa

3. US cuts trade ties to Myanmar, leaving internet access uncertain

4. TikTok names Sameer Singh as head of global business solutions for Southeast Asia

5. Ripple buys 40% stake in Tranglo to expand its blockchain-powered payments services

6. Softbank’s Masayoshi Son eyes bringing Coupang services to Japan

OVERSEAS

1. AnD Ventures Launches With $50M Seed Fund

2. Visa moves to allow payment settlements using cryptocurrency

3. ABB and AWS team up to create an EV fleet management platform

4. British used car dealer Cazoo is going public in the U.S. via $7 billion SPAC deal

5. Recycling startup Redwood Materials is partnering with Proterra to supply EV battery materials sustainably

6. LIVEKINDLY screams its way to the top of new plant brands with the close of a $335 million round

7. ChargerHelp raises $2.75M to keep EV chargers working

Image Credits: Reuters