Articles by Justin Niessner
Australia's NAB commits $36m to VC fund
National Australia Bank (NAB), has committed an additional A$50 million ($36 million) to its venture capital unit for investments in financial technology companies through 2020.
LP interview: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has moved fast to forge a name for itself as a champion of often ignored developing markets. As private sector activity ramps up, long-term plans are coming into focus
China's Jianke raises $130m Series B
Chinese online pharmacy operator Jianke has closed a $130 million Series B funding round led by healthcare-focused GTJA Investment Group.
Venture debt: The loan rangers
Venture debt providers are confident that the asset class is set for growth in Asia, though momentum is slow in most markets. Lenders must adapt their strategies to meet local needs if they are to be successful
Japan Post backs $94m round for US-based Cloudian
Japan Post Investment Corporation (JPIC), a direct investment unit launched by Japan Post Bank and Japan Post Insurance earlier this year, has joined a $94 million round for Japan-founded and US-based data company Cloudian.
India's Netmeds gets $45m Series C round
Indian online drug marketplace operator Netmeds has received a $45 million Series C funding round with participation from Russian venture capital investor Sistema Asia Fund.
AustralianSuper, CPPIB back $6.7b Sydney toll road deal
AustralianSuper and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) have joined a consortium that will acquire a 51% stake in Sydney’s WestConnex highway system from the New South Wales government for A$9.3 billion ($6.7 billion).
VinaCapital launches VC arm, agrees three deals
Vietnam’s VinaCapital has launched a $100 million VC unit and confirmed its first two domestic investments. Separately, the private equity firm has committed $25 million to a local hospital operator.
Myanmar's Anthem reaches first close on SME fund
Myanmar private equity firm Anthem Asia has reached a first close of $34.5 million on its debut fund, which will invest locally in small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
New Zealand's Genesis launches $20m PE fund
New Zealand’s Genesis Private Equity has launched its second fund focused on local small to medium-sized companies with a target of NZ$30 million ($20 million).
Grab Ventures to invest $250m in Indonesian start-ups
Grab Ventures, the VC arm of ride-hailing app operator Grab, has committed IDR3 trillion ($250 million) to a program that will invest in Indonesian start-ups.
Korea macro: Tempered tiger
Korea’s economic momentum has simmered down as demographic, political and industrial evolutions suggest a structural decline. Investors are monitoring the transition with a conditional sense of optimism
SoftBank Vision Fund forms JV with Chinese insurer Zhong An
SoftBank Vision Fund has entered into a technology development joint venture (JV) with Zhong An, a PE-backed Chinese insurance company. It will see each party contribute $100 million.
Australia's Simple gets $17m expansion round
Australian marketing platform operator Simple has raised $17 million for global expansion in a round led by local investor BBRC Private Equity. It is the GP’s first investment.
Singapore IoT supplier UnaBiz gets $10m
UnaBiz, a Singapore-based technology provider focused on the internet-of-things (IoT), has received a $10 million funding round from a group of investors including Japan’s KDDI Corporation and Global Brain.
US VC leads $15m round for Australia's Flare
US-based VC Point72 Ventures has led a A$21 million ($15.4 million) round for Australian staff management technology provider Flare.
CLSA buys Japan beauty salon chain
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has agreed to acquire 100% of Japanese beauty salon operator Puzzle for an undisclosed sum via a bolt-on with industry counterpart Agu Group.
J-Star acquires Japan auto parts company
Japan’s J-Star has acquired a controlling stake in domestic auto parts remanufacturing company Honest for an undisclosed sum.
Visa joins Series C for Japan fintech player Paidy
Visa has committed an undisclosed amount to a Series C funding round for Paidy, a Japanese financial technology company with several VC and corporate backers.
Hyundai backs Series B for India's Revv
Hyundai Motor has led a $14.2 million Series B funding round for Revv, an Indian car rental start-up backed by Edelweiss Private Equity.
Chinese fintech start-up Blackfish gets $50m
A group of VCs including Lightspeed Venture Partners has invested $50 million in Blackfish Technology, a Chinese financial technology start-up offering a range of retail banking services.
CPPIB, Goodman commit $1.7b to China logistics partnership
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and logistics operator Goodman Group have jointly committed $1.7 billion to an existing logistics partnership in China.
Deal focus: China baby boom market comes of age
Warburg Pincus has acquired Chinese mother-and-baby company Leyou, providing an exit for CDIB Capital and The Carlyle Group. The deal signals a rapid maturation process in the segment
Portfolio: Hahn & Co and H-Line Shipping
Hahn & Co’s investment in H-Line Shipping took the private equity firm into a faltering industry with a plan to focus on its most stable and profitable sub-segment