China
PE investors commit $1b to JD.com's healthcare unit
A group including CITIC Private Equity, CICC Capital and Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to invest $1 billion in the healthcare unit of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, acquiring a combined stake of 14.5%.
Asia's middle market: Lost in space
Growing fund sizes in certain Asian markets are redefining what constitutes a middle-market GP. Are these managers evolving alongside the opportunity set or careering dangerously outside of their sweet spot?
Deal focus: CDIB finds media consumption proxy
CDIB Capital is backing VHQ China to leverage the growing demand for visual effects in China's domestic movie and TV production industry
Chinese online education player Baijiahulian files for US IPO
Baijiahulian, a Chinese online education platform that provides after-school tutoring services for primary and secondary school students, has filed for a US IPO. The company’s backers include Gaorong Capital.
Chinese AR start-up raises $17m Series B
Hiscene, a China-based manufacturer of augmented reality (AR) glasses and communication systems that also goes by the name Liangfengtai, has raised RMB120 million ($17 million) in an extended Series B round of funding.
China AI player Megvii raises $750m Series D
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) developer Megvii Technology has raised $750 million in Series D funding led by Bank of China Group Investment. It brings the company’s valuation to around $4 billion.
Emerging Asia healthcare: Pilot programs
Buy-and-build strategies, a mainstay of the PE toolkit in developed markets, are gaining exposure in emerging Asia’s healthcare sector. Proving a viable exit path will be the key to widespread adoption
Orchid, TPG-backed Duiba trades flat on Hong Kong debut
Duiba, operator of a China-based interactive advertising platform and software-as-a-service (SaaS) management system for online businesses, traded flat on its Hong Kong debut, following an IPO of HK$766.2 million($97.6 million).
Allianz, GLP to invest $600m in Asia logistics
German financial services giant Allianz has committed $600 million to funds managed by GLP, a PE-owned warehouse operator based in Singapore, with a view to investing in logistics in China and Japan.
Deal focus: Chezhubang fills its tank
Chezhubang has found a way into China's fuel retail market with an app that helps drivers find the cheapest gas stations
Q&A: Xpeng's Brian Gu
Brian Gu, vice chairman and president of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng, explains how the private equity-backed company is trying to stand out in a competitive and fast-changing market
GSR, BAI lead round for Chinese industrial SaaS provider
GSR Ventures and Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) have led an RMB150 million ($22 million) Series B round for Black Lake Technology, a China-based supplier of data collection, visualization and analysis to factories.
LPs ramp up emerging markets due diligence efforts - survey
Private equity investors in emerging markets are expanding the scope of their manager due diligence, driven by the weaknesses exposed in the demise of Abraaj Group as well as by increasing emphasis on environment, social, and governance (ESG) protocols....
China's Yunji completes $121m US IPO, gains 29% on debut
Yunji, a Chinese membership-based e-commerce platform, gained 29% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $121 million IPO that was largely covered by two of its private equity investors.
Investcorp: Into Asia
Investcorp entered the region last year through a fund commitment in China and the acquisition of an alternative investment platform in India. The firm’s top executives explain the rationale
China's Green Harbor acquires fashion label Jason Wu
China-based private equity firm Green Harbor Investment has acquired a controlling stake in American women’s wear brand Jason Wu for an undisclosed sum.
Deal focus: Gaosi Education stresses its B2B credentials
As China's mainstream online tuition players battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of end users, Gaosi Education found a niche targeting the B2B market. It recently raised $140 million to accelerate expansion
C-Bridge closes third healthcare fund at $850m
C-Bridge Capital has closed its third healthcare fund - which covers Asia but is most active in China - at $850 million, after increasing the hard cap. It is the largest dedicated healthcare vehicle raised for deployment in Asia by an independent private...
PE-backed Chinese cosmetic surgery platform surges on US debut
So-Young International, a Chinese online marketplace specializing in cosmetic surgery, surged over 33% on its trading debut following a $166.8 million IPO on NASDAQ.
China-US biopharma player raises $47m Series C
Sirnaomics, a China and US-based biopharmaceutical company specializing in gene therapeutics, has raised $47 million in Series C funding across two tranches.
Chinese EV battery maker raises $120m in pre-IPO round
Phylion Battery, a China-based manufacturer or lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EV), has raised RMB810 million ($120 million) in a pre-IPO round led by Yingke Private Equity.
China AI: Deep questions
Concerns around valuations, commercialization timelines, deal targeting, and brand perceptions are coming into focus as China’s AI ecosystem catapults to global prominence
Fund focus: Old heads, new firm
Just over two years after its founders spun out from KKR, DCP Capital has raised China’s joint-largest first-time fund on record. The firm sees opportunities emerging in a changing commercial environment
Chinese online drug store Yao123 raises $45m Series B
Healthcare-focused GTJA Investment Group has led a RMB300 million ($45 million) Series B round for Chinese online pharmacy operator Yao123.