Articles by Justin Niessner
China-US EV: Electric avenue
US cleantech start-ups have emerged as important suppliers in China’s fast-growing electric vehicle industry. Venture capital firms will play a key role in keeping the cross-border traffic flowing
GSR leads $13m round for Singapore's InstaRem
GSR Ventures has led a $13 million Series B funding round for Singapore-based financial technology start-up InstaRem.
Cassia Investments backs buyout of Shanghai Tang
Hong Kong-based private equity firm Cassia Investments has supported an acquisition by Italian entrepreneur Alessandro Bastagli of fashion retailer Shanghai Tang from Swiss luxury goods company Richemont.
Tsing Capital targets $300m for China environment fund
Tsing Capital, a Chinese venture capital firm focused on environmental technologies, has launched its fifth flagship fund with a target of $300 million.
Pierfront invests $30m in Singapore shipping group
Singapore-based alternative credit investor Pierfront Capital has completed a $30 million investment in domestic shipping services company KNOT Offshore Partners.
TPG leads $437 million investment in Kakao's ride-hailing business
A TPG Capital-led consortium has agreed to invest KRW500 billion ($437.5 million) in a transportation-focused spin-out of South Korean internet services company Kakao Corp.
Chinese VCs commit $50m to US driverless car start-up
Drive.ai, a US driverless car technology developer, has received a $50 million Series B round from a group of investors including China’s GGV Capital and Northern Light Venture Capital.
Deal focus: JD.com plugs Farfetch into China
Having previously distanced itself from mainstream e-commerce players, luxury online fashion retailer Farfetch has received $397 million from JD.com with a view to entering the China market
Eastspring invests $500m in IFC infrastructure program
Eastspring Investments, an Asia-focused asset management business of Prudential, will invest $500 million in an emerging markets infrastructure development program managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Singapore's Gordian Capital spins out Beenext VC fund
Gordian Capital, a Singapore-based asset manager, has confirmed Beenext Capital Management as its second venture capital spin-out this week.
Deal focus: EMIA rethinks financial services in Cambodia
Emerging Markets Investment Advisors is backing iCare Benefits to develop workable credit schemes for low-income consumers in Southeast Asia through partnerships with employers and product suppliers
Sequoia leads $18m Series C for India's OneAssist
Sequoia Capital India has led an $18 million Series C funding round for Mumbai-based payment security system company OneAssist.
KVIC, US tech player launch Korea VC fund
Government-back fund-of-funds Korea Venture Investment Corporation (KVIC) and Applied Ventures, the VC arm of US-listed technology developer Applied Materials, have jointly launched a fund focused on Korea start-ups.
Australia's VC-backed GetSwift receives $18m investment
IFM Investors has joined a A$24 million ($18.2 million) investment in GetSwift, an Australia-listed and VC-backed software provider focused on the logistics sector.
Singapore's Gordian Capital spins out Qualgro VC fund
The team behind Qualgro ASEAN, a venture capital fund established under Singapore asset manager Gordian Capital in 2015, has spun out to form an independent VC firm.
Japan's Softbank invests $100m in Cybereason
SoftBank Corp. has agreed to invest $100 million in a Series D funding round for Cybereason, a US-headquartered cybersecurity platform provider targeting expansion in Japan.
Lightspeed leads $4m Series A for India's Darwinbox
Lightspeed India Partners has led a $4 million Series A round for Indian human resources (HR) services platform operator Darwinbox.
Crescent Point backs Philippines-based LBC Express
Singapore-based private equity and special situations firm Crescent Point has agreed to invest $50 million in Philippines-listed logistics services company LBC Express.
Southeast Asia tourism: Thinking small
Travel start-ups in Southeast Asia are attracting scattered but enthusiastic interest from venture capital investors. Success in navigating the sector’s early days will be a matter of niche targeting
Fund focus: Thailand gets serious about fintech
Expara Thailand and Premier Advisory Group have been appointed to manage two funds with a combined corpus of $44 million that are intended to push forward the country's financial technology agenda
EMIA invests Cambodia unit of iCare Benefits
Emerging Markets Investment Advisers (EMIA) has acquired a significant minority stake in the Cambodia division of iCare Benefits, a Singapore-based company that provides employers with worker benefit programs.
IFC set to back Morgan Stanley's $300m Thailand fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of up to $25 million in a Thailand-focused fund launched by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA).
Eight Roads leads $12.5m Series C for India's Unbxd
Eight Roads Ventures has led a $12.5 million Series C funding round for Unbxd, an India-founded e-commerce services company now headquartered in the US.
Sapphire leads Series C for Australia's Culture Amp
Sapphire Ventures has led a $20 million Series C funding round for Australian business analytics services provider Culture Amp.