Articles by Justin Niessner
Korean GP invests $16m in electronics industry supplier
Moat Private Equity, a Korea GP set up last year, has taken an approximately 14% stake in KOSDAQ-listed electronics industry supplier Exax for KRW19.8 billion ($16 million).
Cross-border tech pollination: Mutually assured disruption
Southeast Asia and Latin America are trying to leverage complementary aspects of their start-up ecosystems, much like China and Africa before them. These endeavors are not as straightforward as they might seem
L Catterton backs Japan cosmetics brand Etvos
Consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton Asia has confirmed a significant investment of undisclosed size in Japanese cosmetics brand Etvos.
TNB Aura launches COVID-19 special situations fund
Singapore VC firm TNB Aura has launched an open-ended special situations fund that will support early-stage start-ups under financial pressure related to COVID-19.
Square Peg joins Series B for Singapore's Doctor Anywhere
Australian VC firm Square Peg Capital has joined a $27 million Series B round for Singapore-based healthcare technology provider Doctor Anywhere.
Fund focus: Carlyle stokes Japan bullishness
Expecting to see a surge in deal flow driven by divestments and succession planning situations, The Carlyle Group has bulked up to $2.3 billion for its latest Japan fund
BGH, OTPP pull out of New Zealand dentistry deal
BGH Capital and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) have scrapped plans to acquire New Zealand dentistry chain Abano Healthcare citing material changes caused by COVID-19.
Integral buys Japanese contact lens maker
Integral Corporation has acquired T-Garden, a Japanese company that makes cosmetic contact lenses, for an undisclosed sum.
Vickers raises $200m for sixth VC fund
Singapore-based Vickers Venture Partners has confirmed a $200 million first close on its sixth global fund, which is targeting $500 million.
Australia’s Carnegie exits Assetic in PE-backed bolt-on
Australian VC investor MH Carnegie has exited asset management software specialist Assetic to Dude Solutions, a similar private equity-owned company in the US.
Fund focus: 8F reels in $358m
Singapore's 8F Asset Management is taking sector specialization to a new level with a $358 million fund that focuses exclusively on salmon aquaculture projects
Coronavirus & secondaries: Niche dilemmas
Anecdotal feedback from secondaries professionals reveals a quick onset of stagnation in the market due to COVID-19. Creative workarounds are not impossible, but almost
Temasek leads $70m Series C for China's Abbisko Therapeutics
Temasek Holdings has led a $70 million Series C round for Chinese drug developer Abbisko Therapeutics.
Carlyle raises $2.3b for fourth Japan buyout fund
The Carlyle Group has raised JPY258 billion ($2.3 billion) for its fourth Japan buyout fund. The vehicle is more than twice the size of its predecessor, which closed at JPY119.5 billion in 2015.
Hillhouse leads $60m Series B for China biotech player
Hillhouse Capital has led a $60 million Series B round for China’s Iaso Biotherapeutics via its newly established VC unit GL Ventures.
Australia's PE-owned Tigerlily enters administration
Tigerlily, an Australian swimwear brand acquired by Crescent Capital Partners in 2017, has entered administration following a collapse in sales attributed to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Korea cybersecurity player raises $8m Series B
SecuLetter, a Korean cybersecurity technology provider, has raised a $8 million Series B round that included Saudi Arabian VC firm Riyadh Valley Company.
Colombia VC to bridge Southeast Asia, Latin America
Latin Leap, a Colombian VC investor and start-up services provider, has launched a boutique fund targeting $20 million to help Southeast Asian companies expand into Latin America.
Ex-CPE Capital executive Shane Gong joins Evercore
Shane Gong, who previously led the Singapore office at Australia's CHAMP Private Equity, now CPE Capital, has been recruited by Evercore to head up its PE secondaries business in Asia.
Anchor invests in entertainment unit of Korea's Kakao
Anchor Equity Partners is paying KRW209.8 billion ($163 million) for an approximately 13% stake in the music and entertainment division of Korean internet giant Kakao.
Singapore GP nets $358m for salmon farm fund
Singapore impact investor 8F Asset Management has closed its debut fund at $358 million, beating a target of $300 million. It is dedicated to building a global salmon fishing business.
Grab launches Singapore-Vietnam accelerator
Singapore-based ride-hailing app Grab has teamed up with the local technology regulator to launch a start-up accelerator focused on facilitating business expansions into Vietnam.
Retail investment in PE: Common stock
Signs are converging that increased retail investor participation in private equity is inevitable. Myriad roadblocks around access, alignment, and infrastructure will inhibit the transition
Korea's Mirae leads $500m round for Impossible Foods
Korea’s Mirae Asset Global Investments has led a $500 million Series F round for Impossible Foods, a US-based food technology supplier pursuing an Asia expansion.