Articles by Justin Niessner
US-based VC to invest $20m in Pakistan technology fund
US-based 1839 Ventures has agreed to invest $20 million in a fund launched by the Pakistan government that will invest in domestic technology start-ups.
Wavemaker closes second SE Asia VC fund at $66m
US and Singapore-based venture capital investor Wavemaker Partners has raised $66 million for its second Southeast Asia-focused fund. The target was $50 million.
Philippines fintech growth to include blockchain – AVCJ Forum
The Philippines is likely to follow the lead of other Asian markets by more closely regulating blockchain-based financial transactions as the technology becomes more integral to the country’s economy.
TPG exits Myanmar Distillery
TPG Capital has sold its stake in Myanmar Distillery Company (MDC), the producer of Grand Royal Whisky, as a Thailand-based strategic acquired a majority interest in the business.
Philippines confidence endures political strife – AVCJ Forum
The Philippines was praised for its political stability as investor wariness around President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drugs became a recurring talking point at the AVCJ Philippines Forum.
One Belt One Road: Probationary bonanza
China’s One Belt One Road agenda is set to be a driving force in M&A activity that reshapes economies across Eurasia for decades to come. Early movers are consequently negotiating a new world of variables
Australia's Airtasker receives $25.7m Series C
Airtasker, an Australian peer-to-peer jobs and services marketplace operator, has raised a A$33 million ($25.7 million) funding round led by Skyfield Capital.
India car-sharing platform Drivezy gets $10m round
Indian car, motorcycle and bicycle rental company Drivezy has received a $10 million funding round from a group of investors including Das Capital, Axan Ventures, CrowdWorks and IT-Farm.
Provident joins $138m bid for Indonesian mining project
Provident Capital has joined a consortium of investors in a bid to acquire Finders Resources that values the Indonesian mining project developer at about A$177.7 million ($138 million).
VCs in $6.5m round for Japan’s LaFabric
Globis Capital Partners has joined a group of venture capital firms in a JPY740 million ($6.5 million) funding round for Lifestyle Design, the Japanese operator of men’s custom-made fashion marketplace LaFabric.
Japan education: School run
PE and VC investors are increasingly active across the breadth of Japan’s education sector, armed with an evolving set of targeting criteria and growth strategies intended to exploit sweeping social changes
VCs commit $6.6m to Japan's Skydisc
Skydisc, a Japan-based company that provides hardware for internet-of-things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, has raised JPY740 million ($6.6 million) from a group of VC firms, including existing backers Nissay Capital and Archetype...
Japan's NSSK closes Fund II at $530m
Japanese private equity firm NSSK has closed its second fund oversubscribed with JPY60 billion ($531 million) in commitments.
Korea bans initial coin offerings
South Korea has initiated a ban on fundraising exercises known as initial coin offerings (ICO) which involve the unregulated sale of cryptographic tokens.
Riverside invests in Australia energy software player
The Riverside Company has made an investment of undisclosed size in Energy Exemplar, a software provider for the electric power, water, gas and renewables industries.
Singapore's AdAsia closes Series A at $14.5m
Singapore-based advertising technology company AdAsia Holdings has closed its Series A funding round at $14.5 million after receiving a $2.5 million investment from angel investor Hisanori Watanabe and Japanese news app provider Gunosy.
Deal focus: Gogoro takes its scooters global
Taiwan-based Smartscooter wants to stimulate demand for its electric vehicles in Southeast Asia by rolling out a dedicated network of battery exchange stations. The company has raised $300 million in support of this plan
Five V Capital invests $8m in Australia's RateSetter
Five V Capital, a private equity firm headed by CVC Capital Partners’ former Australasia lead Adrian MacKenzie, has led a A$10.5 million ($8.2 million) funding round for Sydney-based financial services provider RateSetter.
Dymon invests $15m in Malaysia bottled water company
Singapore-based Dymon Asia Private Equity has agreed to acquire a 13% stake in Malaysia-based and Myanmar-listed bottled water producer Spritzer for about MYR63 million ($15 million).
VCs invest $3.4m in Japan's Oneteam
Oneteam, a Japanese workplace chat app provider, has received a JPY380 million ($3.4 million) funding round from a group of venture investors, including existing backer Nissay Capital.
Australia agtech: Tending the seedlings
Agricultural technology investment in Australia is growing rapidly from a low base. Sustaining this momentum requires international capital channels and attention to local differentiators
Oaktree plans Asia growth with caution
Oaktree Capital Management CEO Jay Wintrob has singled out China and India as prospective jurisdictions for increased investment activity due to local regulatory progress, even as a number of converging macro themes inspire a more cautious overall approach.
China's XW Laboratories raises $17.5m Series B
Chinese biopharmaceuticals developer XW Laboratories has raised a $17.5 million Series B funding round led by WI Harper and Elements Capital.
East Ventures launches $30m Southeast Asia VC fund
East Ventures has launched a $30 million Southeast Asia fund that will make seed to Series A investments in technology start-ups, with an emphasis on Indonesia.