Articles by Justin Niessner
Jafco closes latest Asia VC fund at $130m
Japanese venture capital firm Jafco has closed its latest Asia fund with USD 130m in commitments. It will focus on China, India, and Southeast Asia.
Global VCs invest $86m in India digital bank Jupiter
Tiger Global Management, QED Investors, and Sequoia Capital India have led a USD 86m Series C round for Indian digital bank Jupiter with support from Matrix Partners India and Singapore’s Beenext.
China biotech player GenFleet raises $75m
GenFleet Therapeutics, a Chinese biotech developer focused on oncology and immunology, has secured a USD 75m Series C round led by Huagai Capital.
Indonesia coffee shop start-up achieves unicorn status
Indonesia coffee chain Kopi Kenangan has raised USD 96m in an ongoing Series C round at a valuation of at least USD 1bn. Hong Kong’s Tybourne Capital Management led the investment.
India's Pristyn Care raises $96m at $1.4b valuation
Pristyn Care, a clinic operator specializing in minimally evasive surgeries, has joined India’s unicorn boom with a $96 million Series E round featuring Sequoia Capital at a valuation of $1.4 billion.
Blackbird backs Australia 3D cell culture platform
Australia’s Blackbird Ventures has led a $25 million Series B round for Inventia Life Science, a local start-up that provides 3D cell cultures for research and clinical purposes.
India BNPL start-up Uni gets $70m Series A
General Catalyst has led a $70 million Series A round for Uni, an Indian buy now, pay later (BNPL) start-up that launched its flagship product just six months ago.
Gulf Capital opens Singapore office
Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Capital has opened a Singapore office and appointed Shantanu Mukerji as its first on-the-ground private equity managing director in Asia.
Singapore’s 1982 hits $12.5m first close on seed fund
Singapore’s 1982 Ventures has reached a $12.5 million first close on its debut seed fund, which will focus on financial technology in Southeast Asia. The target is $15 million.
Australia’s Rokt raises $325m Series E at $1.9b valuation
Tiger Global Management has led a $325 million Series E round for Australia-based e-commerce marketing technology provider Rokt.
Flipkart, Walmart invest $145m in India's Ninjacart
Walmart and Flipkart, its Indian e-commerce platform, have doubled down on local fresh produce delivery company Ninjacart with a 145 million investment.
Advent acquires China's largest medical capsule maker
Advent International has acquired a majority stake in Guangsheng Medicinal Capsule (GS Capsule), the largest medical capsule maker in China, for an undisclosed sum.
Indonesia insurance start-up Fuse raises $25m
Fuse, which claims to be Indonesia’s largest insurance technology start-up, has raised $25 million in a Series B extension. It comes within six months of a $50 million Series B featuring East Ventures.
2022 preview: ESG
Keeping tabs on sustainability credentials at the portfolio and company level will become more data-driven and collaborative. Eventually, getting results will require greater sacrifices
2022 preview: Blockchain
A broader range of investors will play in the blockchain space as new applications are normalized, although regulation remains the wildcard. Developing markets will punch above their weight
2022 preview: Japan VC
Japanese VC is growing up fast and looking a little less homogenous in the process. A longstanding growth-stage gap is about to disappear as new actors file in
2022 preview: Healthcare
Healthcare’s high-cost, rapidly digitizing profile will persist regardless of how COVID-19 plays out in the coming years. China appears set for consolidation, including in biotech
2022 preview: India tech
As India’s technology sector balloons, investors are balancing confidence about fundamentals with expectations of pushback. Both will play out in 2022 to some extent
Hong Kong's Brinc raises $130m for blockchain programs
Hong Kong accelerator Brinc has raised $130 million for blockchain-related accelerator programs and a global expansion with support from Animoca Brands, a local segment leader backed by several VCs.
Japan's Global Brain launches two VC funds, expands global remit
Japan’s Global Brain has launched its eighth flagship VC fund, seeking JPY40 billion ($352 million) for a more international-facing mandate. It has also launched a follow-on fund targeting JPY10 billion.
Deal focus: LingoAce shakes up Chinese class
Singapore’s LingoAce is leveraging growing interest in learning the Chinese language with an entertainment-focused education platform. Sequoia Capital India is backing a global expansion
India's Shiprocket gets $185m Series E
Indian logistics aggregator Shiprocket has raised $185 million in Series E funding led by Lightrock India, Temasek Holdings, and Zomato.
Blue Owl buys Asia-based placement agent
US alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital has acquired Hong Kong placement agent Ascentium with a view to establishing a physical presence in the territory and pursuing a broader regional expansion.
OTPP joins KKR as investor in Australia's GreenCollar
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) has made an investment of undisclosed size in KKR-backed GreenCollar, an environmental services provider that helped establish Australia’s carbon credit market.