Articles by Justin Niessner
Deal focus: IDG, CEL play movie industry long game
In acquiring a controlling stake in Shanghai Film Art Academy, the IDG-Everbright M&A Investment Fund is looking to support the next generation of Chinese filmmakers
Indian government commits $75m to domestic start-ups
The Indian government has made a fresh INR5 billion ($75 million) commitment to its Startup India campaign, which aims to drive bank financing for early-stage companies while offering workshop and incubator services.
Hong Kong's WeLab gets $25m credit facility from ING
ING Bank has extended a $25 million credit facility to Hong Kong’s WeLab, a private equity-backed mobile lending and credit analytics platform.
Allegro acquires Pizza Hut Australia
Allegro Funds has acquired Pizza Hut Australia from US owner Yum Brands alongside a local management team comprising former McDonald’s executives.
Australian government launches $15m cleantech fund
The renewable energy division of Australia’s Department of Industry, Innovation & Science has launched a A$20 million ($15.3 million) seed fund that will focus on domestic clean energy start-ups.
Summit PE joins $50m round for Australia's Elemental Minerals
Summit Private Equity has contributed to a $50 million investment in Australia-listed potash project developer Elemental Minerals.
IDG-Everbright fund buys Shanghai Film Art Academy
China Everbright (CEL) and IDG Capital Partners have acquired a controlling stake in the Shanghai Film Art Academy for an undisclosed sum.
KKR's acquisition of Korea-based Kim's Club falls through
South Korean retail conglomerate E-Land Group has dropped plans to sell its luxury grocery chain Kim’s Club to KKR after agreeing a separate strategic divestment.
Deal focus: NGP diversifies across modern mobility
Nokia Growth Partners saw India's Zoomcar as potential star at the nexus of car connectivity, marketplace platforms and technology-driven transport solutions. Now it is backing the company's car-sharing model
China's Zhongwang acquires PE-owned Aleris for $2.3b
A unit of China Zhongwang has agreed to buy US aluminum company Aleris Corporation in a deal worth $2.3 billion, facilitating an exit for majority owner Oaktree Capital Management.
Sequoia leads $27m round for India, US-based Mitra
Sequoia India and US-based Sands Capital Ventures have led a $27.4 million Series B round of funding for Mitra Biotech, an India and US-based company that focuses on personalized cancer therapies.
New Zealand's Spotlight Reporting gets $3.6m Series A
New Zealand’s Spotlight Reporting, a cloud-based accounting services provider, has received NZ$5 million ($3.6 million) in Series A funding from investors including the Global from Day One (GD1) Fund II.
India's Paragon leads $16.5m round for domestic machinist
Indian private equity firm Paragon Partners has led a INR1.1 billion ($16.5 million) investment in domestic engineering components supplier Maini Precision Products (MMPL).
China's I-Bridge Capital launches Israel pharma JV
Chinese healthcare-focused VC firm I-Bridge Capital has launched a joint venture (JV) with Israeli biopharmaceutical company BioLineRx that will target cross-border penetration of Chinese markets.
Singapore's MC Payments gets $4.4m Series B
Singapore private equity firm ESW Manage has led a S$6 million ($4.4 million) Series B round of funding for domestic financial technology company MC Payment.
Singapore's EDBI invests US analytics player RetailNext
The investment arm of Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDBI) has made an undisclosed commitment to an Asia Pacific expansion drive by US-based analytics company RetailNext.
Singapore's Coda Payments gets $2m
Singapore-based digital payments services company Coda Payments has closed a $2 million round of funding with participation from Japan’s IMJ Investment Partners.
Korea exits: Seller central
Foreign buyers and restless chaebols could help deliver more exit opportunities for private equity firms in Korea – provided it is the right asset, at the right price, at the right time
Japan's INCJ invests $7m in domestic materials group
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has committed to invest up to JPY700 million ($7 million) in a fresh round of funding for domestic industrial materials specialist Nakayama Amorphous.
India's PE-backed Laurus Labs file for IPO
Indian pharmaceutical products developer Laurus Labs has filed for a domestic IPO, offering a partial exit for backers Warburg Pincus and Eight Roads Ventures.
VC-backed app developer Meitu files for Hong Kong IPO
Chinese mobile internet company and photo app provider Meitu has filed for a Hong Kong IPO, offering potential exits to investors including IDG Capital Partners and Qiming Venture Partners.
Indian recruiters launch $10m VC fund
Indian recruitment companies Kelly Services India and Temp Holdings have launched a INR670 million ($10 million) venture capital fund focused on human resources-focused start-ups.
WestBridge invests $11m in India's La Opala
WestBridge Capital Partners has invested INR77 million ($11 million) in Indian tableware retailer La Opala.
Brand Capital commits $19m to India's Quikr
Brand Capital, an investment arm of The Times Group, has invested INR1.3 billion ($19 million) in Indian online classifieds services provider Quikr.