Seoul, South Korea-based pop music publisher SM Entertainment invested an undisclosed amount to acquire shares in indie label BALJUNSO to contribute to the globalization of K-Pop's indie sector.

Bitcoin followers including Hong Kong-based MatrixVision head Anthony Hope kept their faith even after the collapse of Tokyo-based bitcoin exchanger, Mt. Gox.

Tokyo-based mobile messaging app Line Corp could reach its goal of 500 million instant messaging users by the end of this year even as it thinks about a possible IPO, Bloomberg reported.

Mountain View, US-based mobile marketing startup Kahuna bagged $11 million in a Series A funding round from Sequoia Capital to create more effective marketing messages to customers.

Mumbai, India-based impact investment fund Ankur Capital shelled out INR50 lakh for a 30% stake in each of the Indian rural startups cloud farm-management systems firm Cropln, home compost company Daily Dump, and eye-care service provider ERC.

Private equity fund managers are employing approaches other than traditional buyouts so they can avoid overpaying for Western companies as competition pushes valuations higher, Reuters reported.

Menlo Park, US-based fitness startup GOQii is helping people stay motivated with their healthy endeavors by combining its fitness wristband with human coaches who will provide advice and help them set their health objectives.

Northwest Biotherapeutics, a company backed by venture capitalist Linda Powers, seeks to develop therapies for brain cancer and other tumors after nearly closing its doors a decade ago, Reuters reported.

Iowa, US-based iOS app Bawte helps its users organize and keep track of all their belongings by creating a catalog that sends reminders about warranty expiry and helps them take care of broken items through its free in-app live customer support service.

Japan-based mobile messaging app Line will launch an open sticker marketplace called Line Creators Market in April and will also release a Skype-like service in five countries.