Articles by Justin Niessner
Singtel Innov8 launches Singapore cybersecurity incubator
Singtel Innov8, the venture arm of Singapore telecom giant SingTel has teamed up with NUS Enterprise, a start-up program under National University of Singapore, to launch a cybersecurity incubator.
Tencent joins $462m Series B for China’s Huya
Tencent Holdings has participated in a $461.6 million Series B funding round for Huya, a VC-backed Chinese game broadcasting subsidiary of US-listed social networking platform YY.
Traditional Chinese medicine: Innovating antiquity
As the time-honored but largely unprofessional industry of traditional Chinese medicine reinvents itself for the 21st century, private equity could play a role in a massive healthcare overhaul
Global Brain backs $30m investment in Singapore's Electrify
Japan’s Global Brain has participated in a token sale that raised $30 million for Electrify, a Singaporean electricity marketplace using blockchain technology. The company claims the sale received offers in excess of $1.3 billion.
Australia's Blue Sky raises $78m
Australia-listed private equity firm Blue Sky Alternative Investments has raised A$100 million ($78 million) through the sale of new shares.
India's NestAway gets $61m Series D
NestAway, a VC-backed Indian IT start-up focused on the local home rental market, has raised a INR4 billion ($61.4 million) Series D funding round with participation from Goldman Sachs.
Q&A: Dianrong's Soul Htite
Soul Htite, executive chairman of China’s Dianrong and a veteran of the US financial services market, contemplates peer-to-peer (P2P) lending opportunities after raising $70 million from Japan’s Orix Asia Capital and CITIC Securities-owned CLSA
Demonetization drives surge in Indian fintech investment
India’s demonetization policy has been the principal driver for a surge in financial technology investment in the country, according to research by Accenture and CB Insights.
Toyota launches $2.8b car technology investment program
Toyota Group has confirmed it will establish a Tokyo-based investment program that will commit more than JPY300 billion ($2.8 billion) to autonomous driving development.
CLSA buys Japanese beauty salon chain
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has agreed to invest at least JPY10 billion ($94.3 million) to take a majority stake in Japanese beauty salon operator Agu Group. It is the firm’s second acquisition in the country this week.
Alteria reaches first close on India venture debt fund
Alteria Capital, an Indian venture debt firm established by InnoVen Capital co-founders Vinod Murali and Ajay Hattangdi, has reached a first close of INR3.6 billion ($54.6 million) for its debut fund.
LP interview: Ngai Tahu Holdings
Ngai Tahu Holdings is the flagbearer for a rising LP base representing New Zealand’s native peoples. Few private equity players contemplate such lengthy histories and outlooks
Cerberus buys Bluestone’s Australasia operations
Cerberus Capital Management has agreed to acquire the Australasian division of international financial services company Bluestone Group in an all-cash transaction. It will facilitate an exit for a PE unit of Lloyds Bank.
Corporate VC funds foreshadow auto sector M&A wave
A raft of specialist fundraising activity by technology and automotive corporates suggests start-ups in nascent areas of the mobility industry could benefit from a near-term uptick in M&A activity.
Auto technology: Investment vehicles
New and old players are vying for market share as the global automotive industry experiences a multifaceted reboot. Investment inroads abound, but there is much uncertainty in the evolution
New Zealand’s Maori to gain prominence in private equity
New Zealand’s indigenous Maori tribes, also known as iwi groups, are set to accelerate their growing exposure to local private equity in the form of LP contributions, according to industry participants.
NAB Ventures backs $7m round for Australia's BrickX
NAB Ventures, a unit of National Australia Bank (NAB), has joined a A$9 million ($7 million) Series A funding round for BrickX, a domestic financial technology start-up focused on the real estate sector.
VinaCapital invests $32.5m in Vietnam food player
VinaCapital has committed $32.5 million for a significant minority stake in Vietnamese egg and poultry producer Ba Huan.
Anthem seeks up to $50m for Myanmar fund
Anthem Asia has launched a Myanmar-focused private equity fund with a view to raising up to $50 million for investment in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
CFCG launches $200m education sector fund
Hong Kong-listed education sector investor China First Capital Group (CFCG) has launched a $200 million fund that will establish and acquire preschools in China.
Lightspeed backs $50m Series B for India’s Udaan
Lightspeed Venture Partners and DST Global founder Yuri Milner have backed a $50 million Series B round for Indian B2B e-commerce start-up Udaan. It follows a $10 million Series A led by Lightspeed in 2016.
Japan's Ezaki Glico buys chocolate company from US GP
Ezaki Glico, a Japanese food company that markets a number of branded snack products, has acquired a majority stake in chocolate maker TCHO from US growth and venture capital firm Emil Capital Partners.
Dell Foundation in $13.5m round for Indian edtech start-up
Indian education technology start-up IMAX Program has received a $13.5 million funding round from a group of venture investors including the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF).
Gobi's Victor Chua leaves to launch SE Asia VC firm
Victor Chua has left a position as vice president focusing on Southeast Asia at Gobi Partners to launch his own Malaysia-based VC firm, Vynn Capital.