Articles by Justin Niessner
Livingbridge completes debut Australia deal
UK-based GP Livingbridge has made its debut investment in Australia with a commitment of undisclosed size to project management consulting company TSA Management.
Adams Street opens South Korea office
Adams Street Partners has established an office in Seoul in an effort to expand access to clients and investment opportunities in the region.
China investors launch $77m cross-border AI fund
Chinese start-up accelerator Comb+ and the Beijing Institute of Collaborate Innovation have jointly launched a fund targeting EUR65 million ($77 million) that will invest artificial intelligence (AI) companies expanding into China.
India energy: Power trip
A sudden shake-up in the economics of India’s energy sector has piqued investor appetite to the point of indigestion. As the market settles, a long-term growth story appears set to support a range of industries
Asia GPs back $107m Series B for Divergent 3D
A group of Asian GPs including Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's Horizons Ventures has backed a Series B round of up to $107 million for US electric vehicle (EV) industry supplier Divergent 3D.
Australia tech: Firmer footing
GPs see increasing potential for later-stage investment in the Australian technology sector as early commercial successes and government encouragement help reshape the national psyche
VC-backed DataRobot to invest $11m in Singapore AI
DataRobot, a US-based start-up backed by a number of VCs including Intel Capital, has committed about $11 million to an artificial intelligence (AI) program in Singapore.
SSG buys stake in Cox & Kings subsidiary
Hong Kong-based special situations investor SSG Capital Management has paid an undisclosed sum for a 34.4% stake in a UK subsidiary of Indian travel company Cox & Kings (C&K) known as Prometheon Holdings.
Walden, East join $6.6m round for Tech in Asia
Walden International and East Ventures have joined a $6.6 million funding round led by Hanwha Investment & Securities for Tech in Asia, a Singapore-based digital media company focused on Asian start-ups.
KKR media platform leads $65m round for Southeast Asia's aCommerce
Emerald Media, an Asian investment platform created by KKR, has led a $65 million Series B funding round for Thailand-based online retailing services company aCommerce.
Accel invests $15m in Indian fashion retailer
Accel Partners has invested about INR1 billion ($15.3 million) in Universal Sportsbiz (USPL), an Indian fashion retailer that focuses on sports apparel under the name Collectabillia.
Singapore to invest $20m in local fintech ecosystem
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has set up a S$27 million ($20 million) grant to support the country’s financial technology development ecosystem.
Tech, institutionalization drive change in Asia PE – AVCJ Forum
Asian investors must plan to negotiate a China-dominated deal landscape with increased attention to technology and institutionalization trends, according to industry participants at the AVCJ Forum.
Singapore's VC-backed Quoine raises $105m via ICO
Singapore-based Quoine, a financial technology company backed by Japan’s Jafco, has raised $105 million via an initial coin offering (ICO).
LPs sharpen focus on active investment in Asia – AVCJ Forum
LPs must engage GPs more carefully as they become increasingly active players in Asia’s rapidly evolving private equity space, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
Mekong exits Vietnam's Traphaco for $64.5m
Vietnam’s Mekong Capital has exited its 25% stake in domestic pharmaceuticals company Traphaco for about $64.5 million. It represents a gross return multiple of 6.3x for the investment.
LPs demand integrated approach to ESG – AVCJ Forum
Private equity investors are focusing on policy implementation, team culture and transparency as environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices become an increasingly pervasive aspect of GP-LP negotiations.
UK travel player gets $15m for Asia push
UK-based Airbnb management company Hostmaker has received a $15 million round led by Hong Kong private equity firm Gaw Capital and Thailand real estate developer Sansiri for an Asian expansion.
South Korea's MyMusicTaste gets $11m Series C
KTB Network has led an $11 million Series C funding round for MyMusicTaste, a Korean crowdsourcing platform operator focused on organizing fan-requested concerts.
Fintech funds: Treasuries apart
Investment strategies targeted exclusively at the convergence of financial services and technology have become commonplace. As competition picks up, success will depend on adopting skills and a global view
Pencarrow exits New Zealand's Icebreaker to US trade buyer
New Zealand’s Pencarrow Private Equity has agreed to sell its entire stake in Icebreaker, a domestic clothing brand that specializes in outdoor winter apparel, to US-listed competitor VF Corporation.
Sector funds: Special forces
The proliferation of fund managers targeting relatively focused investment segments signals a new maturity in Asian private equity. The trend will evolve in step with regional markets
China's EOC Pharma closes $32m Series B
EOC Pharma, a China-based cancer treatment specialist, has closed a $32 million Series B funding round led by Taikang Industry Development Fund.
Hong Kong's WeLab raises $220m
Alibaba Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have led a Series B+ round of funding for Hong Kong financial technology provider WeLab.