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<a href="/company/tiktok">TikTok</a> will invest EUR 1 billion to build a new data center in Kouvola, Finland, as part of its EUR 12 billion “Project Clover” to strengthen data protection in Europe. The facility will support local data storage, stricter privacy safeguards, and regional digital infrastructure, with oversight from cybersecurity firm NCC Group.

Singapore-based Arysun has raised USD 575,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Wavemaker Impact, with participation from First Move Fund. The climate tech startup aims to bring affordable rooftop solar solutions to Southeast Asia, starting with pilot projects and a digital platform in Indonesia.

Chinese outdoor brand Pelliot is preparing a Hong Kong IPO after scrapping plans for a Shenzhen listing. Backed by Tencent and others, the company saw revenue jump from RMB 380 million to RMB 1.76 billion between 2022–2024, driven by its technical jackets. The brand now aims to expand offline and move upmarket to sustain growth.

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese vice premier He Lifeng will meet in Switzerland from May 9–12 for high-level discussions on economic and trade issues. The meeting precedes He’s visit to France, where he will co-chair the latest round of China–France economic and financial dialogue.

DoorDash will acquire Deliveroo for GBP 2.9 billion in cash, ending the latter's volatile public run. The deal broadens DoorDash’s geographic footprint with limited overlap and follows its USD 1.2 billion purchase of SevenRooms to deepen its restaurant services push.

Guangzhou Sunhongs, a data center service provider backed by <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> founder Lei Jun, is pursuing a listing on the Beijing Stock Exchange after pulling its Shenzhen IPO bid in 2023. The firm is shifting to self-built infrastructure to raise margins, despite modest growth and a market share of just 0.6%.

Uber users in a key Middle East market will be able to book and ride robotaxis later this year through a new partnership with <a href="/company/pony-ai">Pony.ai</a>. Safety drivers will be onboard during initial trials. The deal combines Uber’s global reach with Pony.ai’s autonomous tech, with plans to expand robotaxi services to more international markets.

Japanese startups are increasingly building on Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen open-source models, with Abeja’s QwQ-32B and other Qwen-based systems ranking among the top performers in Japanese AI benchmarks. <a href="/company/alibaba-cloud">Alibaba Cloud</a> plans to localize Qwen deployment, citing data sovereignty concerns, and aims to expand to over 1,000 Japanese corporate users within three years.

Low-altitude sightseeing flights under 1,000 meters proved popular across China during the Labor Day break, with cities offering tours via helicopters and unmanned aircraft from eVTOL providers like EHang. Despite strong demand, the industry faces regulatory bottlenecks, with over 800 UAVs awaiting certification amid limited staffing and safety oversight.

Hong Kong leader John Lee will lead a delegation to Qatar and Kuwait on May 10 to explore business ties, marking his second trip to the Middle East since 2023. The visit aims to promote Hong Kong’s role as a “superconnector” and strengthen cooperation with Gulf economies, alongside plans to open a new trade office in Saudi Arabia.

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Once mistaken for a foreign brand, Pelliot is now bound for an IPO as one of China’s top outdoor apparel labels.

Budget brand no more? Pelliot readies Hong Kong IPO after profit surge

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36Kr is China's most influential business and technology network, delivering high-quality content focused on China’s innovation and new economy trends since 2010. With its extensive traffic and network, 36Kr has built a comprehensive database and strong data analytics capabilities to provide insights into China’s technology landscape.

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Photo of an outdoor setup showcasing Asmoke’s smart electric grill.

Asmoke is reengineering barbecue with sensors and startup swagger, betting that pitmasters are ready for a tech upgrade.

Can a smart grill from China earn a place in American backyards?

How do markets shape wealth creation? Study portfolio diversification, asset classes, and strategies balancing growth and risk.

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Why do firms join forces? Investigate synergy goals, valuation methods, and negotiations driving corporate consolidation.

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Bringing you the latest updates on funding deals and activities in the Asia Pacific.

Deals in brief: DailyCo acquires Waku to grow in Indonesia, Neufast raises pre-Series A funding, latest China investments, and more

An alias used when humans and machines team up in our newsroom. Articles under this byline may be shaped with the help of AI, but are always vetted by a human before publication.

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Budget brand no more? Pelliot readies Hong Kong IPO after profit surge

Can a smart grill from China earn a place in American backyards?

Deals in brief: DailyCo acquires Waku to grow in Indonesia, Neufast raises pre-Series A funding, latest China investments, and more