Articles by Justin Niessner
Sequoia leads Series B for Singapore's Smartkarma
Sequoia Capital India has led a Series B round for Smartkarma, bringing the Singapore-based financial technology company’s total funding to $21 million.
UK fintech player gets $280m for Asia push
UK-based fintech company TransferWise has raised a $280 million round led by IVP and Old Mutual Global Investors as part of an expansion in Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Alibaba leads $335m round for China's Souche
Alibaba Group has led a $335 million Series E round for Chinese online second-hand car trading platform operator Souche. It is the company’s third funding round in the past 12 months.
Naspers to back Remitly expansion in India
Naspers has agreed to lead a Series D funding round of up to $115 million via its PayU unit to support an international expansion by US financial technology player Remitly, including a push into India.
Asian LPs and infrastructure: Rousing the giants
Infrastructure is shedding its reputation for being a sleepy sector as Asian investors join a global surge of interest in the asset class. Strategic angling for the best deals will now require a more nimble approach
J-Star acquires Forpets in latest pet bolt-on
Japan’s J-Star has acquired 100% of domestic veterinary services company Forpets as a bolt-on of existing portfolio company JVCC. It is JVCC’s third such transaction this year.
Thailand's Pomelo gets $19m Series B
Thailand-based clothing retailer Pomelo Fashion has received a $19 million investment from Provident Capital Partners, Lombard Investments and JD.com. It is said to be the largest Series B ever raised by a Thai company.
Australia backs four healthcare tech start-ups in VC push
The CSIRO Innovation Fund, a venture program under the Australian government’s latest science development policy push, has invested in its first four local technology start-ups.
SL Capital raises $428m secondaries fund
SL Capital, a private markets arm of Aberdeen Standard Investments, has raised $428 million for its third private equity secondaries fund, surpassing the target of $400 million.
Asian GPs join $41m round for Wonder Workshop
Wonder Workshop, a US-based education robot maker with a strong presence in China, has raised a $41 million Series C round from a group of investors including Tencent Holdings, MindWorks Ventures and Softbank Korea.
Indonesia's Snapcart gets $10m Series A round
Vickers Venture Partners has led a $10 million Series A funding round for an international expansion push by Indonesian marketing data researcher Snapcart.
Hong Kong's Klook gets $60m Series C
Sequoia Capital China, Goldman Sachs and Matrix Partners have co-led a $60 million Series C funding round for Hong Kong-based travel services company Klook.
Shaw Kwei acquires Singapore oil industry supplier for $50m
Shaw Kwei & Partners has agreed to acquire a 75.6% stake in Singapore-listed oil and gas industry equipment supplier Gaylin for S$68 million ($50 million).
GIP to buy Equis renewable energy portfolio for $5b
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has agreed to acquire 100% of Equis Energy, a project platform of 180 assets under private equity investor Equis Funds Group, for $5 billion. It is said to be the world’s largest renewable energy generation acquisition...
Home automation: Digital digs
Home automation has graduated from a hobbyist niche to a sprawling, multifaceted consumer market that mobilizes a suite of cutting-edge technologies. Asian investors are identifying the early entry points
US-Philippines blockchain player gets $16m Series B
A group of Asian and North American venture investors have backed a $16 million Series B round for Abra, a US financial technology company test marketing blockchain-based services in the Philippines.
SparkLabs launches $100m blockchain fund
SparkLabs Group has launched a $100 million early-stage venture capital fund that will focus on blockchain and cryptocurrency investments globally.
Deal focus: Lalamove seeks edge in last-mile delivery
Shunwei Capital has led a $100 million round for Hong Kong-based delivery start-up Lalamove with a view to supporting its expansion in the competitive mainland China market
INCJ, Konica Minolta acquire Ambry Genetics for $1b
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and imaging giant Konica Minolta have completed a $1 billion joint acquisition of US-based Ambry Genetics, with a view to growing the company in Japan.
Asian GPs back $502m round for US-based Magic Leap
Singapore-based EDBI and Temasek Holdings have joined a $502 million Series D funding round for US virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology provider Magic Leap.
ADIA commits $1b to India’s state-backed infra fund
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), a sovereign wealth fund based in the United Arab Emirates, has committed $1 billion to the Indian government’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
ROC Partners backs $118m Australian SME fund
Australian private equity firm ROC Partners has teamed up with the state government of New South Wales and pension fund First State Super to launch a A$150 million ($118 million) equity fund targeting small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Deal focus: All-Stars backs Tujia’s consolidation agenda
Tujia's access to property supply and consumer traffic channels in China give an edge that other market entrants struggle to replicate. This gave All-Stars Investment the confidence to co-lead a $300 million round
Square Peg leads $13m round for Singapore's Chope
Australia’s Square Peg Capital has led a S$18 million ($13.3 million) funding round for Singapore-based restaurant app operator Chope.