Articles by Justin Niessner
Deal focus: Malaysia’s Tealive taps PE scaling expertise
Tealive, a teashop brand that has exploded across Malaysia in recent years, is ready for a concerted international expansion. Creador has been brought in to guide the process
Fund focus: Plugging ASEAN family offices into global tech
Family offices have helped iGlobe Partners renew a lean and restrained deep tech VC mandate. A global investee network is hoped to facilitate overseas investments amid travel stoppages
ChrysCapital exits US-based Infogain to Apax
ChrysCapital has exited Silicon Valley-based Infogain – an IT services provider that helped solidify the US-India cross-border opportunity set – to Apax Partners.
Creador takes 30% stake in Malaysia tea brand Tealive
Malaysia-based middle-market private equity firm Creador has paid an undisclosed sum for a 30% stake in local tea shop operator Tealive.
Singapore fintech start-up MatchMove raises $100m
Singapore’s MatchMove, a financial technology start-up with several VC backers, has raised $100 million from US-based IT services provider Nityo Infotech.
Advent exits Crompton Greaves' India appliances business
Advent International has offloaded its final 5.4% holding in Crompton Greaves’ India-listed household appliances business, ending a gradual exit after a failed takeover.
US VCs lead $60m round for Indonesia's BukuWarung
US-based Goodwater Capital and Valar Ventures, a firm co-founded by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, have led a $60 million round for Indonesian financial technology start-up BukuWarung.
Mekong invests in Vietnam appliances maker
Vietnam’s Mekong Capital has invested $10 million in local water purifier and electrical appliances maker Mutosi Group.
Japan's SmartHR raises $142.5m at $1.6b valuation
Japanese enterprise software supplier SmartHR has confirmed a JPY15.6 billion ($142.5 million) Series D round led by US-based Light Street Capital. It values the company at about $1.6 billion.
TPG leads $220m round for China's Dingdang Health
TPG Capital has led a $220 million round for Chinese online pharmacy services provider Dingdang Health.
Deal focus: TEC goes back to the office
KKR and Tiga Investments have acquired Hong Kong’s The Executive Centre at a time when flexible office space is coming into focus, but expansion ambitions need to remain in check
Deal focus: CVC gets intimate with A Bathing Ape
CVC Capital Partners has completed a complex carve-out of Japanese streetwear brand A Bathing Ape from diversified Hong Kong retail group I.T
Blackstone buys International Data Group from China Oceanwide
The Blackstone Group has agreed to acquire International Data Group (IDG) from China Oceanwide Holdings for an enterprise valuation of $1.3 billion.
BGH bids $1b for Australian software provider Hansen
Australian private equity firm BGH Capital has offered to acquired Sydney-listed industrial software provider Hansen Technologies for an enterprise valuation of A$1.3 billion ($1 billion).
India micro VC player Artha raises $30m debut fund
Indian micro VC investor Artha Venture Fund (AVF) has raised INR2.2 billion ($30 million) for its debut vehicle, beating a target of INR2 billion.
Singapore food tech VC raises $25m for debut fund
Good Startup, a food tech VC set up in Singapore last year, has hit a $25 million first close on its debut fund, which will invest exclusively in alternative protein start-ups.
India's Urban Company closes Series F, hits $2.1b valuation
India’s Urban Company, a marketplace for in-home services from housekeeping to fitness training, has raised $255 million in Series F funding at a valuation of $2.1 billion.
Singapore's iGlobe completes $100m fundraise
Singapore-based iGlobe Partners has closed its third venture capital fund with $100 million in commitments.
KV Asia hits $100m first close on Fund II
KV Asia Capital has reached a first close of $100 million for its second Southeast Asia private equity fund. The vehicle, which focuses on the lower middle market, has a target of $300 million.
Japan's Dentsu launches second VC fund
Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Group has set up its second corporate VC fund with a corpus of JPY10 billion ($91.1 million).
L Catterton leads $40m Series B for Singapore's Zenyum
L Catterton has led a $40 million Series B round for Singapore’s Zenyum, a company that makes 3D-printed dental products.
KKR impact fund backs Vietnam K-12 business
KKR is mobilizing its recently established global impact fund to invest Vietnamese K-12 bilingual school operator EQuest Education.
Carlyle commits $439m to India's PNB Housing Finance
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest up to INR31.8 billion ($439 million) in India-listed PNB Housing Finance, which would give it a majority interest in the company and trigger an open offer for an additional stake.
Myanmar: Asia’s anguish
Myanmar has proven unique among Asia’s frontier markets in terms of volatility and risk. As its ongoing humanitarian and political catastrophe deepens, a sense of helplessness has taken root