Articles by Justin Niessner
AVCJ Awards 2018: Responsible Investment: Manuka Health
The transformation of Manuka Health from loosely run family affair into professional segment leader helped organize a cottage industry into big business
TNB Ventures, Aura Group close $23m VC fund
Singapore’s TNB Ventures and Australia’s Aura Group have jointly closed a S$31.1 million ($27 million) venture capital fund that will invest in data-driven B2B companies across Southeast Asia.
New faces, old faces: Asia PE people moves
A selection of the transfers, promotions, arrivals and departures in the private equity community in 2018
Natixis merges regional PE units
The asset management business of Natixis has launched a global private equity firm by merging three existing PE affiliates, including Singaporean fund-of-funds Eagle Asia Partners.
Deal focus: India’s Licious cuts in a heavyweight
Indian online fresh meat and seafood delivery company Licious felt compelled to raise its Series D round within three months of its Series C after a segment leader from Japan made an irrefutable offer
Talking points: 2018 in quotes
What industry participants had to say at AVCJ events on deployment during times of uncertainty, responding to technological disruption, spin-outs in China, portfolio diversification, and VC exits
Deal focus: Cool Japan helps Spiber spin chic new web
Cool Japan has taken a new angle on its cultural investment thesis with Spiber, a biotechnology developer bringing next-generation materials to the apparel industry
ADB backs Creador’s Southeast Asia fund
Creador has raised $50 million for its fourth Southeast Asia and India-focused private equity fund from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Accel, Qualcomm join $35m round for India's Ninjacart
Accel Partners and Qualcomm Ventures have joined an INR2.5 billion ($35 million) funding round for Indian agriculture industry platform operator Ninjacart.
Infrastructure Capital raises $109m for Australia renewables fund
Australian specialist fund manager Infrastructure Capital has raised A$150 million ($109 million) for a renewable energy fund, including a A$100 million commitment from the government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2019
Industry participants share their outlooks on some of the biggest economic drivers of the day, including fast-growing sectors and shifting deal making factors across Asia’s varied markets
SoftBank, Alibaba lead $1.1b round for Indonesia's Tokopedia
SoftBank Vision Fund and Alibaba Group have joined a $1.1 billion round for Indonesian e-commerce and related online services provider Tokopedia.
New Zealand's Trade Me agrees to Apax acquisition
New Zealand e-commerce company Trade Me has agreed to be 100% acquired by Apax Partners at an enterprise value of NZ$2.7 billion ($189 million) one week after receiving a similar proposal from Hellman & Friedman.
Japan's Axelspace gets $23m Series B
Axelspace, a Japanese start-up focused on ready-to-launch microsatellite technology, has raised a JPY2.6 billion ($23 million) Series B round led by Global Brain and property developer Mitsui Fudosan.
Singapore's Jungle increases target for Fund III
Singapore-based Jungle Ventures has raised the target for its third Southeast Asia-focused VC fund from $150 million to $200 million.
PE and SMEs: Southeastern bind
Difficulties connecting private equity investors with small to medium-sized enterprises in traditional industries remain a key barrier to growth in Southeast Asia. Novel approaches will be necessary
Deal focus: Deputy punches the new timeclock
Employment management services company Deputy has raised what is said to be Australia’s largest ever Series B round as investors look to bring new technologies into long-outdated business processes
Korea's Viva Republica raises $80m at $1.2b valuation
Kleiner Perkins and Ribbit Capital have led an $80 million funding round for Viva Republica that values the Korean financial technology start-up at about $1.2 billion.
Eastspring expands China footprint with Shanghai office
Eastspring Investment, a Singapore-based asset manager backed by Prudential, has opened a new office in Shanghai as part of an ongoing China expansion strategy.
Japan Post Capital leads $26m Series E for Sansan
Japan Post Capital has led a JPY3 billion ($26.4 million) Series E round for Sansan, a Tokyo-based company that applies cloud technology to business card management services.
Secondary restructurings: Opportunistic delays
Creative secondary deals are presenting private equity investors with new options for extending exposure to prized assets. Although a modest trend, it evokes big questions about best conduct
Singapore's SolarHome gets $10m for Myanmar push
SolarHome, a Singaporean off-grid solar specialist, has received $10 million in debt funding for a Myanmar expansion from crowdfunding platforms Crowdcredit and Trine.
KKR invests $366m in Singapore’s V3 Group
KKR has confirmed it will invest up to S$500 million ($366 million) in Singapore-based luxury lifestyle and wellness products company V3 Group at an enterprise valuation of about S$1.7 billion.
Hellman & Friedman makes $1.8b bid for NZ online marketplace
Hellman & Friedman has submitted a bid to acquire 100% of New Zealand-listed online auction and e-commerce company Trade Me for NZ$2.6 billion ($1.8 billion).