USA
US AR specialist Meta raises $50m for China expansion
US-based augmented reality (AR) start-up Meta has raised a $50 million Series B round of funding from Chinese investors Tencent Holdings, Lenovo and Banyan Capital. They will support the company's expansion in China.
Chinese strategic to buy VC-backed US marketing platform
Spearhead Integrated Marketing Communication Group, a Beijing-based offline marketing service provider, will buy Smaato, a California-based mobile ad exchange backed by Singapore's EDB Investments (EDBI) and Singapore Press Holdings.
Australia's Starfish in $17.5m China push for US marketing company
Australian VC firm Starfish Ventures has joined a $17.5 million round for Aktana, a US and Japan-based marketing services provider looking to consolidate its Asian footprint.
IKang chairman, Meinian withdraw take-private bids
Ligang Zhang, founder and CEO of US-listed Chinese company iKang Healthcare Group, and a consortium led by Meinian Onehealth Healthcare Group, have withdrawn their privatization proposals for iKang after the company received a new offer from Yunfeng Capital.
Japan's Midokura raises $20m Series B
Japan and US-based software network virtualization company Midokura has raised a $20.4 million Series B round from investors including the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ).
Sequoia-led consortium forms China JV with WME-IMG
A consortium led by Sequoia Capital has created a joint venture (JV) with US-based talent and event management firm WME-IMG to develop sports and entertainment businesses in China.
Navis acquires Macau-based ISA Industrial
Navis Capital Partners has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Macau-based footwear component supplier ISA Industrial.
China's Tang Media Partners acquires US-based IM Global
Tang Media Partners, a Sino-US media investment firm, has acquired a majority stake in Hollywood film and TV studio IM Global from India’s Reliance Group.
Brookfield closes $4b global fund
Brookfield Asset Management has reached a final close of $4 billion on its fourth global private equity fund.
China VCs in $20m round for VR developer uSens
Fosun Kinzon Capital, the VC arm of Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, has led a $20 million Series A round for uSens, a US-based developer of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools.
Deal focus: Permira consolidates ingredients of JMO success story
Permira has acquired personal care brand John Masters Organics to grow its presence in Japan and the rest of the world
Japan’s Whill closes $17.5m Series B
Eight Roads Ventures has led a $17.5 million Series B round for Japanese wheelchair and personal mobility device developer Whill.
Fund focus: WI Harper sticks to small scale
While other VC firms have seen significant jumps in fund size as they target the growth space, WI Harper's latest Asia-US vehicle will remain focused on early-stage deals with a cross-border angle
Vivo raises $100m for Sino-US healthcare VC fund
Healthcare specialist Vivo Capital has closed its latest Sino-US venture capital fund with around $100 million in commitments. The vehicle will focus on early-stage investments.
Chinese manufacturer buys PE-owned Thermal Dynamics
China Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery, a Shenzhen-listed manufacturer of heat exchangers, has acquired US-based counterpart Thermal Dynamics International (TDL) for $56.65 million, facilitating a full exit to US private equity backer Evergreen Pacific Partners.
Ares to buy American Capital in $3.4b deal
American Capital, which has a presence in Asia through its energy and infrastructure investment business, will be acquired by Ares Capital Corporation (ACC) in a deal worth $3.43 billion.
Fund focus: Geodesic helps US start-ups go big in Japan
The former US ambassador to Japan and the ex-head of Andreessen Horowitz's growth investment practice have joined forces to help US start-ups gain traction in Japan
Permira buys John Masters Organics, Japanese distributor
Permira will buy a controlling stake in John Masters Organics (JMO), owner of the eponymous personal care brand, and its exclusive distributor in Japan and East Asia for an enterprise valuation of JPY37 billion ($336 million).
China GPs back US tech player's Asian consolidation
Chinese investors have underpinned an $88 million Series E round of funding for Kateeva, a US electronics developer that operates in China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
Facebook co-founder's VC firm in first close on US-Asia fund - update
B Capital Group, a VC firm launched by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Raj Ganguly, formerly of Velos Partners and Bain Capital, has reached a first close on a US and Asia-focused fund, which has a full target of $250 million.
WI Harper raises $175m Asia fund
WI Harper Group has closed its eighth venture capital fund, which targets early-stage investments in Asia-focused companies, at $175 million.
Geodesic closes $335m VC fund to bridge US, Asia
Geodesic Capital, a US-based venture capital firm focused on helping start-ups drive Japanese expansion, has closed its first fund at $335 million.
VC-backed China Online Education files for US IPO
China Online Education Group, operator of VC-backed English-learning mobile app 51Talk, has filed for a US IPO.
Japanese pharma group launches global VC arm
Japanese oncology specialist Taiho Pharmaceutical has launched a VC arm that will invest an initial pool of $50 million in global start-ups focused on cancer therapies.