Articles by Justin Niessner
Japan's INCJ invests $102.6m in domestic VC funds
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has committed up to JPY10.4 billion ($102.6 million) to funds managed by domestic VC firms MedVenture Partners and Universal Materials Incubator.
Korea's Viva Republica gets $23.7m Series B
Goodwater Capital and Qualcomm Ventures have led a $23.7 million Series B funding round for South Korean financial technology provider Viva Republica.
India's SIS files for IPO, CX set for partial exit
CX Partners is on course to make a partial exit from India-based Security & Intelligence Services (SIS) as part of the company’s domestic IPO.
Thailand e-commerce platform secures Series B
German internet conglomerate Hubert Burda Media (HBM) has acquired a $24.9% stake in Thailand e-commerce company Priceza from Japan's CyberAgent Ventures as part of a Series B funding round.
India logistics: Wheels within wheels
A confluence of macro influences is driving demand for modernized logistics in India. Private equity is likely to benefit in a number of areas, but informed targeting and value-add approaches will be key
iSigma exits Japanese auto parts maker for $99m
ISigma, a mid-size buyout firm controlled by Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni, has agreed to sell domestic automotive industry supplier Iino Manufacturing for JPY10 billion ($99.4 million).
Jafco in $408m first close for new flagship fund
Japan’s Jafco has achieved a first close on its fifth global venture capital and buyout fund with JPY41 billion ($408 million) in commitments.
China's Orient Hontai to buy US mobile marketing platform
Chinese private equity firm Orient Hontai Capital has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in US-based mobile marketing platform provider AppLovin in a transaction valued at $1.4 billion.
Anthem Asia invests in Myanmar’s Rangoon Tea House
Anthem Asia is backing an expansion drive for Myanmar restaurant Rangoon Tea House (RTH) that will see the company offer services outside catering while developing new brands.
Direct Capital to exit New Zealand King Salmon
Direct Capital will exit the bulk of its holding in New Zealand King Salmon as the seafood company seeks to raise up to NZ$77.5 million ($56.4 million) through a domestic and Australian IPO.
H&Q backs US, China-based EV player
H&Q Asia Pacific has led a $7.8 million investment in Efficient Drivetrains (EDI), a US and China-based developer of electric vehicle (EV) systems and technologies.
Philippines consumers: Boom in a bottle
Tidal shifts in the Philippines' consumer demographics are piquing interest among private equity and venture capital investors alike, but sluggish policy modernization efforts remain a key barrier to entry
PE-led consortium pays $7.3b for Port of Melbourne lease
A consortium including QIC, Future Fund and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has paid A$9.7 billion ($7.3 billion) for a 50-year lease at the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s largest container and cargo facility.
Lindeman Asia backs China's Cogobuy – update
Lindeman Asia Investment has joined China Reinsurance and People's Insurance Company of China in a HK$2 billion ($258 million) investment in Hong Kong-listed e-commerce company Cogobuy.
Singapore's Grab raises $750m round led by SoftBank
Singapore-based taxi-hailing app provider Grab has raised a $750 million round of funding led by Japanese technology giant and long-term strategic partner SoftBank.
Equis targets $500m in Indonesia renewables projects
Equis has signed a wind power offtake deal with an Indonesian electricity supplier as part of a $500 million renewable energy project package.
Singapore’s ViSenze raises $10.5m Series B
ViSenze, an e-commerce-focused artificial intelligence (AI) company based in Singapore, India and the US, has completed a $10.5 million Series B funding round led by Rakuten Ventures, WI Harper and Enspire Capital.
Careful targeting key to Philippines M&A – AVCJ Forum
Efforts to increase foreign M&A activity in the Philippines at later investment stages depend on targeting the right kinds of companies and understanding their needs, industry participants told the AVCJ Philippines Forum.
Taiwan regulation: Forward views, sideways moves
The Taiwan government is attempting to reconcile its conservative tendencies with a need for innovation as the local venture capital industry marks mixed progress in filling an early-stage vacuum
Filipino rise demands a sharper focus – AVCJ Forum
Increased competition for private equity deals in the Philippines means investors must be more disciplined in their approach to transactions, according to industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum.
Ex-NBA star Yao Ming's PE fund seals US kickboxing deal
Yao Capital, an investment firm co-founded by Chinese former NBA star Yao Ming, has invested in Singapore-based kickboxing programmer Glory Sports International. The deal includes a joint venture that will promote the sport in China.
CDPQ, KIA back ICICI-Tata power projects platform
Canadian pension plan Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) and Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) have backed a platform launched by India’s ICICI Venture and Tata Power that will invest in domestic power projects.
Australia's H2 Ventures taps public markets for fintech vehicle
Australia's H2 Ventures plans to raise up to A$55 million ($42 million) through an IPO for a dedicated unit that will make early and growth-stage investments in global financial technology start-ups.
Sequoia, Zuckerberg lead $50m round for India's Byju's
Indian education start-up Byju’s has received a $50 million funding round led by Sequoia Capital and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), a vehicle established by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan.