Articles by Justin Niessner
China's CureGenetics gets $17m Series A round
Qiming Venture Partners has led a $17 million Series A funding round for Chinese biotechnology company CureGenetics.
GLP invests $58m in China's Wangjiahuan
GLP, a private equity-owned warehouse operator based in Singapore, has invested RMB400 million ($58 million) in Chinese agricultural products distributor Wangjiahuan.
Decheng leads Series C for China's Impact Therapeutics
Chinese biopharmaceuticals developer Impact Therapeutics has raised $30 million in Series C funding from a group of investors led by Decheng Capital.
Australia's OneVentures launches $74m venture debt fund
Australia’s OneVentures has partnered with Israel-based Viola Credit to launch a A$100 million ($74 million) venture debt fund that is said to be the first vehicle of its kind in Australia.
Technology risk: Big brother
Advanced technologies experiencing rapid commercialization such as artificial intelligence will be subject to a range of social and regulatory risks. Investors must not ignore the debate on ethical deployment
NSSK acquires Japanese hotel operator
Japanese private equity firm NSSK has acquired hospitality business Hotel Castle Inn Group for an undisclosed sum.
BlackRock buys Taiwan solar portfolio
BlackRock Real Assets has agreed to acquire a 28-project solar power portfolio in Taiwan for an undisclosed sum.
Automation and investment: Channeling the flow
Investors are beginning to experiment with automation in various aspects of the deal-making process. Results to date are encouraging but lack detailed cost-benefit insight
India bus-hailing app Shuttl gets $11m
Amazon India has led an $11 million Series B funding round for India-based bus-hailing app operator Shuttl, with participation by several other VC investors.
Australian SME lender Judo Capital raises $104m
Australian financial services start-up Judo Capital has raised A$140 million ($104 million) to provide loans to domestic small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Capria targets $100m for emerging markets fund-of-funds
Capria Ventures, a US impact investor sponsored by Unitus, has launched a $100 million fund that will focus in part on developing regions within Asia.
SBI leads $15m Series A for Singapore's AntWorks
SBI Investment has led a $15 million Series A funding round for AntWorks, a Singapore-based supplier of enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) and smart automation products.
Back office technology: Clearing cobwebs
Technologies credited with completely transforming the financial sector have yet to make a dent on day-to-day operations in private equity. The status quo, however, will not last
VCs invest $20m in China's Ultrain
A group of VCs including CDC Capital, Morningside Ventures, and Draper Dragon have backed a $20 million round for Ultrain that values the Chinese blockchain technology provider at $200 million.
Singapore’s C88 gets $28m Series C round
Data and financial services company Experian has led a group of investors, including Monk’s Hill Ventures and Telstra Ventures, in a $28 million Series C round for Singapore’s C88 Financial Technologies.
Khazanah's entire board offers to step down
Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional has confirmed that its entire board of directors is willing to resign. It comes as a newly elected government looks to curb corruption in state investment programs.
Singapore blockchain-based data marketplace gets $60m
Open Data Exchange (ODX), a Singapore-based decentralized marketplace developer has raised $60 million from a group of investors, including Hong Kong blockchain specialist Kenetic Capital and US-Korea firm Strong Ventures.
Deal focus: OfBusiness helps Indian SMEs find their feet
Creation Investments backs Indian financial technology start-up OfBusiness to meet the financing needs of underserved small businesses
ClassPass raises $85m, targets SE Asia expansion
US-based fitness services company ClassPass has raised a $85 million Series D round led by Temasek Holdings and L Catterton as part of a global expansion effort that will emphasize Southeast Asia.
New Zealand's Maui Capital agrees Pedersen trade sale
Australian logistics infrastructure services company Linx Cargo Care has agreed to buy Pedersen, a New Zealand wood processing player owned by Auckland-based Maui Capital, for an undisclosed sum.
LP interview: Korea's POBA
Korea’s Public Officials Benefit Association is expanding its private equity exposure and global footprint. Maintaining this diversification within the firm’s traditional risk profile requires a gradual approach
Fund focus: LPs queue up for a piece of Long Hill
China’s Long Hill Capital scales up with its latest VC fund with strong support from new and existing LPs. Sector specialization has helped underpin much of the progress
Singapore's TradeGecko gets $10m Series B
TradeGecko, a Singapore-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider for small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) has received a $10 million Series B round led by local investor TNB Ventures and Australia’s Aura Group.
Long Hill closes second China VC fund at $265m
China-focused Long Hill Capital has reached a final close of $265 million on its second US dollar-denominated VC fund as well as a first close of about $30 million for its first renminbi vehicle.