China’s Didi confirmed fundraising rumors today; it has raised a fresh $5.5 billion to continue global expansion and to invest deeper into emerging areas like artificial intelligence to bring more advanced systems to its transportation service.

1. Didi Chuxing, the Uber of China, confirms $5.5B raise for global and AI push

 

The company didn’t close valuation but sources very close to the company confirm to us that it is over $50 billion, with new investors Silver Lake Kraftwerk joining previous investors.

Didi has also launched a lab in Silicon Valley.

As a global technology leader, DiDi is striving to advance the transformation of transportation and automotive industries through active internationalization plans.

What’s interesting also to contemplate is whether DiDi will finally be expanding its footprint outside of China. To date, the company has done so only in the form of partnerships, intended to make for a more seamless experience to travellers as they go outside their home market but want to continue to use the same app and payment system as before.

Read the rest of the story here.

2. Silicon Valley innovation builder Singularity U launches Singapore chapter

Technology and innovation builder Singularity University (SU) officially launched its Singapore chapter this week.

Silicon Valley-based SU is described as a community of thinkers and innovators that apply “exponential technologies to address humanity’s grand challenges.” It’s a lofty mission statement.

One of the areas of focus will be better ways to deliver healthcare tools and services to people in Asia, says Lee Chon Cheng, a member of the Singapore chapter’s leadership team. That’s why SU Singapore collaborated with global medical technology company BD for this challenge.

The global outlook is key to SU’s mission to solve world problems.

Read the rest of the story here.

As banks and financial technology startups collaborate more closely, banks are beginning to pull apart the image of their institutions as segmented bureaucratic machines that can’t innovate quickly.

With public confidence in them in the U.S. below 50 percent across the political spectrum, banks have a branding problem — one that gets even more problematic when they have to…

Original content by ecommerceIQ

About the author

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You May Also Like

Shifting supply chains: HP to move laptops production to Thailand

HP is diversifying its personal computer supply chain by shifting production of laptops to Thailand, Mexico, and Vietnam, reducing its reliance on China.

CP group and LDA Capital Launch $2b fund focused on Southeast Asia’s Middle Market

The partnership aims to provide flexible funding to middle market businesses in the region that have traditionally been undercapitalized by local investors and banks.

Thailand Leads Southeast Asia BEV Sales

Chinese automakers captured the majority of BEV sales in the region, with their market share increasing from 38% to nearly 75% in the past year.