China’s classroom Internet blocker losing ground
An unknown number of Chinese schoolteachers, the Wall Street Journal reports, have been uninstalling web filtering software that the government ordered them to run in August.
Beyond the predictable cries of censorship, teachers told the Journal that installing the Green Dam Youth Escort software, punningly dubbed… Continue Reading
China orders “cleanup” of online music, WSJ says
The Wall Street Journal reports that China’s Ministry of Culture has set out to conduct a massive clean up of what it claims on its website are problems with ”the intermingling of good and bad content,” “the large quantity of imported music without approval,” plus copyright… Continue Reading
China venture capital investments rise to highest level in five years
Venture investments into mainland China boomed during the second quarter — hitting their highest level in five years.
The trend is likely to continue because of better tax treatment lately for foreign investors there.
Investors into private companies pumped nearly $1.37 billion into 71 deals, more than… Continue Reading
Life sciences briefing: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Sonoma Ortho names Glen Coleman as CEO, preps launch of bone implant (VentureWire)
TechniScan draws $13M for ultrasound CT scanners (release)
OrbiMed plans $150M Asian life-science fund (VentureWire)
Accelerated Tech pulls in $47M, aims for $125M in second med-tech fund (VentureWire)
Amedisys buys out TLC Health Care for… Continue Reading
Dick Kramlich, the man with VC in his blood, moves to China
Every famous Silicon Valley venture capital firm is driven by a partner with a reputation of working relentlessly and tirelessly to win deals. At Kleiner Perkins, it is John Doerr. At Sequoia, it is Doug Leone. At New Enterprise Associates, it is Dick Kramlich.
Already having… Continue Reading
Alibaba is China’s largest Internet IPO yet, continues China’s roar
Alibaba has raised US$1.5 billion in the biggest ever initial public offering by a Chinese Internet company, the Wall Street Journal reports.
It’s the biggest offering in Hong Kong’s IPO history, and drew capital from more capital from Asian investors than from those in Europe and… Continue Reading
Money pours into venture funds, but selectively: DAG, Accel
Large investment managers are pouring money into venture firms, but they are increasingly selective.
The latest firms to raise money are DAG Ventures, here in Silicon Valley, and Accel Partners and IDG, for their operations in China.
Large institutions that funnel money to venture firms are focused… Continue Reading
With Internet growth slowing in U.S., Sequoia pours more funds into China
Updated
Silicon Valley’s top venture firm Sequoia Capital is raising what appears to be a massive amount of funding for companies in China, according to VentureWire (sub required), citing filings by the firm with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Sequoia is a secretive firm, and hasn’t… Continue Reading
China acquires $3 billion stake in Blackstone
(Update: This just in: Texas Pacific Group and Goldman Sachs’ private equity arm have agreed to acquire Alltel, the wireless phone company, for $27.5 billion, the largest telecom buyout ever. There’s a frenzy of activity in the private equity world, and we’re likely seeing its… Continue Reading
Kleiner Perkins repents — goes to China with $360M fund
Kleiner Perkins, one of the most respected venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, but also one of its most parochial, has finally decided to invest in china.
It has just announced a $360 million China Fund, to invest in “high-growth industries,” including Internet, media, wireless, health… Continue Reading