Consumer
Warburg Pincus leads round for India's Capillary Technologies
Warburg Pincus has led a $45 million Series C round of funding for Capillary Technologies, an Indian cloud-based software provider that focuses on customer relationship management (CRM) solutions.
Zodius, Khazanah back India online lingerie retailer
Zodius Capital and Malaysian state-controlled investor Khazanah Nasional have committed $40 million in Series C funding to Zivame, an India-focused online lingerie retailer.
Wanda Cinemas buys stake in VC-backed online ticketing site
China’s largest cinema operator Wanda Cinemas has acquired a 20% stake in Mtime Holdings, a Chinese online movie ticketing platform backed by several VC investors.
China second-hand car trading platform Chemao raises $188m
Chemao.com, a Chinese second-hand car trading platform, has raised RMB1.2 billion ($188 million) in a Series B round of funding led by Shenzhen-listed hydropower equipment maker Zhefu Holding Group.
Korean start-ups: Pursuing critical mass
A handful of Korean start-ups have achieved valuations in excess of $1 billion as investors look to leverage a mobile-centric consumer base. But how many unicorns can this market accommodate?
Baring Asia buys 40% stake in Bright Food-controlled Weetabix
Baring Private Equity Asia has acquired a 40% stake in UK-based cereals producer Weetabix and will work alongside Bright Food Group – which holds the remaining 60% – to expand the business in China.
Qiming leads Series B for China goods delivery app
Qiming Venture Partners has led a Series B round of funding for Linjia.me, a Chinese mobile app that offers last mile delivery services.
Vogo buys Korean lifestyle product maker Bodyfriend
Vogo Investment has acquired a controlling stake in Bodyfriend, South Korea's largest maker of massage chairs and other lifestyle products, in a management buyout.
China’s Dalian Wanda buys World Triathlon from Providence
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group has agreed to buy World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the leading global operator of Ironman events, from Providence Equity Partners for $650 million.
Chinese food-ordering platform Ele.me raises $630m
Ele.me, a Chinese online food-ordering platform, has raised $630 million from a combination of new and existing investors. The investment reportedly values the business at more than $3 billion.
Asia e-commerce: The next generation
Most of emerging Asia’s e-commerce giants faced a binary choice between the asset-heavy online retail and asset-light marketplace models. Now, though, investors have a more nuanced opportunity set
Deal focus: RedMart channels the Amazon spirit
Amazon.com is the world’s largest online retailer, but it retains fleetness of foot that defies its size. This is based on the ability to embrace not only new technology but also innovative approaches to management. The “two-pizza rule” devised...
Loan or own? Chinese strategics offer debt to start-ups
As Chinese start-ups raise larger, later-stage rounds, strategic investors are looking to participate through structured debt products rather than through equity. This approach presents its own risks
Ekuinas sells Burger King franchises in Malaysia, Singapore
Ekuinas, the Malaysian government-backed private equity investor, has sold the Burger King franchises in Malaysia and Singapore, generating proceeds of MYR74.6 million ($17.7 million).
VCs exit China online furniture retailer Meilele to strategic buyer
Several VC investors – including Lightspeed China Partners, Vertex Ventures and China Renaissance K2 Ventures – will exit Meilele as Shanghai-listed Guangdong Yihua Timber Industry agreed to buy an 18.21% stake in the online furniture retailer.
China online campus convenience store secures $31m
Shenzhen Capital Group has led a RMB200 million ($31 million) pre-Series B round of funding for 59store.com, a Chinese online convenience store focused on serving students.
Chinese second-hand car platform Youche raises $18m
Youche.com, a Chinese online trading platform for second-hand cars, has raised an $18.2 million Series B round led by Galaxy Capital, followed by IDG Capital Partners, ZhenFund and China Growth Capital.
Tata Opportunities Fund invests in Uber
Tata Capital will make a significant investment in ride-hailing service Uber through its Tata Opportunities Fund (TOF).
Singapore online grocer RedMart raises $26.7m
Singapore-based online grocery marketplace RedMart has raised $26.7 million in a bridge round from existing investors Garena Online, Softbank Ventures Korea and US-based Visionnaire Ventures.
Fund focus: Lightspeed gets traction in India
In 2010, Lightspeed Venture Partners concluded that it could more effectively tap China’s burgeoning technology space with a dedicated country fund. A China vehicle was duly launched and reached a final close in 2013 at $168 million.
Softbank, Foxconn, Alibaba lead $500m round for Snapdeal
SoftBank Group, Foxconn Technology Group and Alibaba Group have led a $500 million investment in Indian online marketplace Snapdeal.
Tiger invests $15m in Indian fashion site Roposo
Tiger Global has invested $15 million in Indian fashion-oriented social network Roposo.
PE-backed La Chapelle, Legend Capital launch PE fund
Hong Kong-listed Shanghai La Chapelle Fashion, a ladies' apparel maker backed by a string of PE investors, has partnered with Legend Capital to set up a PE fund worth RMB153 million ($24 million).
India's VC-backed Mobikon buys Singapore's Trii.be
Indian customer engagement and marketing platform Mobikon, which is backed by Jungle Ventures, has bought Singapore's feedback management start-up Trii.be.