Southeast Asia
Asia O2O services: The long tail
From taxi journeys to pedicures, online-to-offline services are changing consumption channels in Asia’s emerging markets. Some leaders have emerged, but much of the sector is still up for grabs
Q&A: GrabTaxi's Anthony Tan
GrabTaxi started out as an entry in business plan contest at Harvard Business School in 2011, where it placed second. Co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan explains how it has become Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing company
The billion-dollar club: Asia's tech unicorns
Asia accounts for one fifth of the global tech sector’s unicorn population as companies raise larger rounds at ever higher valuations. But as investor sentiment weakens, some of these behemoths should be concerned
Formation 8 backs Singapore grocery delivery service
US venture capital firm Formation 8 has led a $15 million Series A round for Singapore-based on-demand grocery delivery start-up Honestbee.
Deal focus: SingPost’s one-world e-commerce play
Singapore Post buys TradeGlobal from Bregal Sagemount as part of a push from traditional mail delivery and into global e-commerce
Hera Capital exits China's ActSocial to Linkfluence
Singapore-based private equity investor Hera Capital has agreed to sell its entire stake in Shanghai and Singapore-based social media analytics firm ActSocial to Linkfluence, a European company with a similar remit.
Carlyle appoints SE Asia head, fires Indonesia deal-maker
The Carlyle Group has promoted Sunil Kaul to head of its Southeast Asia buyout operations following the sacking of Indonesia-focused Rajiv Louis, who was sanctioned for insider-trading activities while working at UBS.
Monk's Hill commits $5m to Hong Kong-based Playlab
Hong Kong-based mobile game studio Playlab has raised $5 million in Series B funding from Monk's Hill Ventures.
Malaysia's Hermo raises $2m Series A led by Gobi
Shanghai-based VC firm Gobi Partners has led a $2 million Series A round of funding for Hermo, a Malaysian cross-border cosmetics e-commerce platform.
Fund focus: Venturra taps experience for SE Asia start-ups
Venturra Partners will draw on its founders' investment and entrepreneurial experience, plus a strategic connection to Lippo Group, as it helps Southeast Asian start-ups achieve scale
Philippines' PLDT Capital backs US start-up
PLDT Capital, the recently-formed investment arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), has committed $10 million to US mobile app development platform Phunware and will support expansion in Southeast Asia.
Northstar set for $800m close on Fund IV
Northstar Group is scheduled to reach a final close on its fourth fund – which targets Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia – at approximately $800 million at the end of October.
Lippo sponsors Southeast Asia VC fund
Former Monk's Hill Ventures partner Stefan Jung has announced the launch of Venturra Capital, a new Southeast Asia-focused VC fund backed by the Lippo Group.
Q&A: OCBC's Daniel Kwan
The $392 million Lion-OCBC Capital Asia Fund I represents the first time OCBC has tapped third-party investors for a PE vehicle. Daniel Kwan, head of the mezzanine capital unit, explains the investment strategy
Deal focus: Monde Nissin develops a taste for Quorn
Monde Nissin's acquisition of Quorn Foods from Exponent Private Equity reflects the growing interest among Philippines conglomerates for overseas assets
Media-for-equity: Outside the box
Media-for-equity investing has become a well-established niche market in Europe. To take hold in Asia, the model requires the right investors and the right customers
Philippines private equity: Please be patient
Investors are flocking to the Philippines, but PE firms should invest time in building relationships with family-owned businesses and the government must deliver reforms if the country is to fulfil its potential
Philippines' Monde Nissin to buy Quorn Foods from PE owners
Philippines food conglomerate Monde Nissin has agreed to buy Quorn Foods from UK-focused GP Exponent Private Equity and Intermediate Capital Group (IGC) at an enterprise valuation of GBP550 million ($835 million).
RRJ Capital closes Fund III at $4.5b
RRJ Capital has closed its third fund – which invests globally, with an emphasis on China and Southeast Asia – at $4.5 billion after approximately nine months in the market.
Philippines telecom giant PLDT launches VC unit
Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) has created an investment arm that will back start-ups in Silicon Valley and around the world.
Singapore's MediaCorp in media-for-equity deal with VC-backed skincare brand
Singapore media conglomerate MediaCorp will take an equity stake in VC-backed French skincare brand Crème Simon in return for providing the company with advertising services.
Singapore VC: Redressing the balance
Singapore wants local companies to set up VC funds as a means of cultivating start-ups in a wider variety of areas. Can the right balance be struck between innovation and corporate agendas?
Everstone closes third India fund at $730m
Everstone Group has closed its third fund – which focuses on India as well as overseas businesses that benefit from rising Indian domestic consumption – above target at $730 million.
Vertex, Sinar Mas lead round for Indonesia's HappyFresh
Vertex Ventures and Sinar Mas Digital Ventures have led a $12 million funding round for Indonesia-based online grocer HappyFresh.