Articles by Justin Niessner
China's AnchorDx completes $40m Series C
AnchorDx, a China-based medical technology developer focused on DNA sequencing and diagnostics, has raised a $40 million Series C round led by OrbiMed and WuXi Huiying Investment.
Japan's Kyulux raises $34m extended Series B
Japan-based Kyulux, which develops advanced lighting technology used in digital screens, has raised JPY3.6 billion ($34.3 million) from a group of VCs and strategic investors.
MBK exits China's Apex International
MBK Partners has agreed to sell Apex International, China’s second-largest air freight forwarder, to Swiss logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel.
India’s Zolve raises $15m seed round
Accel and Lightspeed Venture Partners have led a $15 million seed round for Zolve, an India-based digital bank focused on cross-border services.
China’s Regor Therapeutics raises $90m Series B
Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) has led a $90 million Series B round for Regor Therapeutics, a Chinese drug developer specializing in bioinformatics.
Q&A: Gushcloud's Althea Lim
Singapore’s Gushcloud, a VC-backed influencer talent agency and content producer, operates at the frontlines of a young, fast-changing media landscape. CEO Althea Lim tours the latest developments
Deal focus: Potentia exits Ascender, closes debut fund
Potentia Capital's debut fundraise was given extra impetus by an impending exit from Australia-based software provider Ascender, which delivered a 30x return
Myanmar: Coup confusion
Myanmar's isolationism is likely to be harder to maintain this time should the military seek a return to its old ways. Investors are watching and waiting, but should they also be considering the ESG implications?
China's Cloopen, Adagene complete strong US IPOs
Cloud services provider Cloopen and biotech developer Adagene, both backed by Sequoia Capital China, have raised a combined $460 million in their US IPOs.
Cathay appoints executive president, makes partner promotions
Cathay Capital has announced a spate of global personnel appointments in private equity and venture capital, including the naming of Arthur Yeung as executive president.
Ethics in AI: Slippery slope
Concerns around artificial intelligence technology have extended from unauthorized surveillance to include healthcare and education. When does the ethical dilemma become an ESG sticking point for investors?
Indian news app Dailyhunt raises $100m
Indian news app Dailyhunt has raised $100 million led by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Glade Brook Capital Partners. It extends a $102 million Series H round last year featuring Google.
Temasek CEO steps down
Ho Ching, CEO of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings will step down from the government-controlled investment fund effective October 1. She will retire her board seat on the same date.
Advent buys majority stake in India's ZCL, MSPEA exits
Advent International has agreed to acquire Indian pharmaceuticals supplier ZCL Chemicals, setting up a minority exit for Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA).
L Catterton recruits SE Asia, India leadership
Consumer-focused private equity firm L Catterton has recruited Yock Siong “Song” Tee and Anjana Sasidharan to leadership positions in Southeast Asia and India, respectively.
MIRA makes $2.6b bid for Australia's Vocus
Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets (MIRA) has offered to acquire Australian broadband internet provider Vocus Group for about A$3.4 billion ($2.6 billion). It follows a string of abandoned bids.
Deal focus: Opportunity knocks in Japan's pricey auto space
Dream Incubator's VC arm started tracking Nyle after the Japanese online media start-up made a timely pivot into car leasing. It led to a JPY5 billion ($48.3 million) funding round
Indigenous New Zealand LP backs pathology business
Te Puia Tapapa (TPT), a PE investor serving New Zealand indigenous groups, has backed a pathology business owned by New Zealand Superannuation Fund (NZ Super) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP).
India gaming platform MPL gets $95m Series D
Mobile Premier League (MPL), an Indian mobile gaming platform that matches users for competitive play, has raised a $95 million Series D round at a post-money valuation of $945 million.
Carlyle, Brighton Park invest $200m in India's Indegene
The Carlyle Group and US GP Brighton Park Capital have committed a combined $200 million to Indegene, an Indian technology provider for the healthcare and life sciences industries.
NZ Super to back Pioneer's fourth fund
Auckland-based private equity firm Pioneer Capital has received a cornerstone commitment of NZ$100 million ($72 million) for its fourth fund from New Zealand Superannuation Fund (NZ Super).
AVCJ Awards 2020: Responsible Investment: Canvest Environment
Olympus Capital has guided China’s Canvest Environment from polluting waste-to-energy minnow to category leader in operational scope and sustainability credentials
Q&A: Bain & Company's Henrik Naujoks
Henrik Naujoks, Bain & Company’s financial services lead for Asia, observes that investors must not ignore the increasing cohesion of the Greater Bay Area despite a relative lack of near-term gambits
India's Moonfrog Labs acquired by Swedish gaming studio
Swedish free-to-play gaming studio Stillfront has agreed to acquire 100% of Indian mobile games developer Moonfrog Labs, setting up exits for Tiger Global Management and Sequoia Capital India.