Chinaccelerator Daily Digest 11/20

Overseas:

1. Google to invest $690 million in Danish data center

2. Kroger supermarket and Ocado to build first robotic warehouse in Cincinnati

3. Facebook to fund trainee local newspaper reporters in Britain

4. Digital media company Technicolor explores options including sale

5. Microsoft acquires FSLogix to enhance Office 365 virtual desktop experience

6. SoftBank unveils AI vacuum robot for offices

7. Amazon Comprehend adds customized language lists to machine learning tool

8. Payments company Square drops 10 percent amid a broader sell-off in once-loved technology stocks

9. Disney gets approval from China for its Fox acquisition, sending shares of both companies up

10. Disney deepens its footprint in mobile gaming, teams up with game publisher Jam City

11. iHeartMedia to acquire radio adtech company Jelli

12. GM’s self-driving unit Cruise is expanding to Seattle

13. Fitness app MIRROR pulls in $38 million in capital, using a reflection to boost your workout

14. Peer tutoring platform Knack raises $1.5M from Charles Hudson, Jeff Vinik

15. Lidar startup AEye raises $40M Series B led by the Taiwanese government’s investment firm

16. The WT2 in-ear translator arrives in January, with real-time feedback coming soon

17. Carbo brings its light and peppy electric bike to the US

China:

1. China’s JD.com feels pressure as sales of big ticket items slow

2. Xiaomi gobbles up selfie phone brand Meitu as revenue jumps 49%

3. Chinese city Liaoning Dalian announced to apply new energy cars for the whole ride hailing industry in 2025.

4. Tencent’s WeChat testing money market fund and score system in bid to catch up with Alipay

5. SparkLabs Taipei closes initial $4.25M for its first fund, adds Jeremy Lin as an advisor

6. MyTaiwanTour raises US$1.5M from Sanpu Group to expand to Japan, China

7. Neighborhood group shopping platform Xiaoqule 小区乐 raised 108 Million USD in A round led by GGV capital, Vertex Ventures and SIG Capital Partners.

Cross-border:

1. China’s Xiaomi swings to net profit in third-quarter on robust sales in India, Europe

2. China’s Ping An invests in Berlin fintech start-up in push to modernize Europe’s financial services industry

3. Tencent turns to Southeast Asia after Beijing clampdown

Blockchain:

1. Bitcoin drops 12% to below $5,000

2. Blockchain gaming gets a boost with Mythical Games’ $16M Series A

Emerging Market:

1. Google-Temasek report predicts Southeast Asia’s internet economy will exceed $240 billion by 2025

2. Mideast ride-hailing firm Careem working with investment bank Jefferies

3. Kenyan logistics start-up Sendy plans second fundraising

4. 500 Startups Vietnam grabs $14M to invest in local companies

5. Real estate platform Lamudi raises funding from Ringier AG, Axel Springer

6. Agritech startup CropIn raises US$8M from Chiratae Ventures, Bill & Melinda Foundation

7. Singapore’s neuroscience marketing startup NeuroTrend raises US$1.5M from TRIVE Ventures, angels

Cover picture credits from SCMP