VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Ma is going to expand his control in media arena through acquiring stake in Caixin Media. However, the media company has confirmed that the potential investors primarily agreed not to interfere in Caixin’s editorial interest. Details of the possible deal hasn’t been available from either party.

Marking the first ever single major investment in financial technology (fintech) segment, SoftBank Group Corp has led an investment of $1billion in the US startup SoFi. Private equity (PE) firms such as Third Point have invested in SoFi. Both the companies are of a positive view that the Series E funding round will speed up the growth rate of SoFi. The fintech services are gaining support from customers, who're not satisfied with traditional banking services. SoFi is aiming at expanding financial offerings in the near future.

Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd, the leading Chinese e-commerce corporation has declared a tie-up with Unilever NV, the well-known provider of personal care, home and food products, to grant Chinese consumers the majority of its quality products from around the world.

Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd may scrap plans to invest in Indian online marketplace Snapdeal, technology website Recode reported, citing a person who was familiar with the matter.

Chinese actress Zhao Wei has taken a major stake in Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd's film division, bringing some star power to a company that warned on Monday it could rack up losses of as much as HK$600 million ($77.41 million) for 2014.

Alipay, an online payment affiliate of Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd., has struck a deal with Sina Corp. to launch and online payment service as competition rises between Alibaba and rival Tencent Holdings Ltd. Alibaba last year bought an 18% stake in Sina Weibo.