Articles by Justin Niessner
Japan's Global Brain, Meiji Yasuda launch $39m VC fund
Japan’s Global Brain has further extended a string of corporate VC partnerships, teaming up with Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance to launch a JPY 5bn (USD 39m) fund.
Creador, Navegar back Philippines supermarket chain
Creador and Navegar have invested an undisclosed sum in the Philippines business of Switzerland-based discount grocery and supermarkets operator Dali.
Mitsubishi UFJ launches $100m Indonesia fund
MUFG Innovation Partners, a VC arm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, has launched its third fund alongside Bank Danamon Indonesia with a corpus of USD 100m. The fund will focus on Indonesia.
Japan's JGIA targets Wow World take-private
Japan Growth Investments Alliance (JGIA) has won board approval from Tokyo-listed Wow World Group for a take-private that values the business communications technology provider at JPY 6bn (USD 46.4m).
Airtree leads $25m round for New Zealand's Hnry
Australia’s Airtree Ventures has led a NZD 35m (USD 25mm) Series B round for New Zealand small business financial technology provider Hnry.
Q&A: Bertelsmann India Investments’ Pankaj Makkar
Pankaj Makkar has headed Bertelsmann India Investments since its inception in 2012. He reflects on a period of rapid market development with a new war chest that betrays confidence in more to come
India's Enzene Biosciences raises $50m
Indian biotech company Enzene Biosciences has raised a USD 50m round featuring Eight Roads Ventures and F-Prime Capital.
TMI Ventures leads $13.5m round for Indonesia's EdenFarm
Indonesian agriculture technology start-up EdenFarm has raised a USD 13.5m round led by TMI Ventures, the investment arm of local wireless network operator Telkomsel.
IMM commits $121m to Korea cloud business
IMM Investment is providing KRW 150bn (USD 121m) in Series A funding for Korean cloud computing business NHN Cloud at a valuation of KRW 1trn.
Indonesia fintech start-up iSeller gets $12m
Indonesia financial technology start-up iSeller, which helps businesses to digitise sales and operations, has raised USD 12m in Series B funding led by Intudo Ventures.
Aramco backs Japan drone start-up
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, has invested USD 14m in Japanese drone maker Terra Drone on the back of a JPY 8bn (USD 62m) Series B round.
ResponsAbility hits $173m first close on Asia food fund
Swiss impact investor ResponsAbility has reached a first close of USD 173m for a South and Southeast Asia-focused sustainable food private equity fund. The target is USD 400m.
B Capital raises $2.1bn for latest global VC funds
US and Singapore-headquartered VC firm B Capital has closed its third series of funds with USD 2.1bn in commitments. The mandate is global with a strong emphasis on Asia.
India's 360 One buys Mumbai Angels, launches two funds
Bain Capital-backed 360 One, which rebranded from IIFL Wealth & Asset Management last November, has acquired a 91% stake in Mumbai Angels as the seed investor launches two new funds.
Avatar Growth leads Series C for India's Mad Street Den
Avatar Growth Capital, a private equity firm specialising in bringing Indian tech to global markets, has led a USD 30m Series C round for US and India-based retail services player Mad Street Den.
Singapore's Lighthouse Canton hits first close on venture debt fund
Singapore Lighthouse Canton has reached a first close of USD 20m on its first venture debt fund, which will target Southeast Asia and India. The target is USD 100m.
ADB backs Quadria's third health fund
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed USD 25m to the third fund from Singapore-based Quadria Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity firm.
Labour shortages: Tales from north and south
Australia and Japan are facing extreme labour shortages. In the former, GPs can survive on policy support and emergency manoeuvres. In the latter, fundamental strategy shifts are a more immediate imperative
Norwegian climate fund backs India waste-to-energy player
A climate fund set up by Norwegian development finance institution Norfund has invested NOK 600m (USD 60.5m) in Indian solar and waste-to-energy company SEAL.
Investcorp leads $39m Series D for India's Wakefit
Investcorp has led a INR 3.2bn (USD 39.4m) Series D round for India’s Wakefit, which claims to be the largest D2C retailer of mattresses and bedding accessories.
LPs want more transparency in Asia GP relationships
LPs are willing to back first-time managers and reengage with China, but they want to see more from GPs in return for taking these risks, the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association’s (HKVCA) Asia Forum heard.
Bain backs Asia biorefinery platform
Bain Capital Private Equity has confirmed a significant equity commitment to EcoCeres, a Hong Kong-based biorefinery. The size of the investment was not disclosed.
Accel backs India home construction start-up
Accel and fellow US venture firm Celesta Capital have led a USD 10m round for India’s Brick&Bolt, a consumer-facing end-to-end home construction platform.
Carlyle buys India skincare, beauty platform
The Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in VLCC, an Indian skincare and beauty platform backed by Everstone Capital, for an undisclosed sum.