Articles by Justin Niessner
Taiwan & tech tensions: Silicon island
Taiwan’s technology sector must play an awkward balancing game amid US-China tensions. This could be a surprisingly favorable position for opportunistic investment and global diversifications
Apis invests $35m in India's Cashfree
Apis Partners has invested $35 million in Indian digital payments services provider Cashfree as part of a Series B round also featuring Smilegate Investment and Y Combinator.
DST leads $200m Series E for India's Cars24
Russia’s DST Global has led a $200 million Series E round for Indian used car platform operator Cars24 at a valuation of more than $1 billion.
500 Startups launches Cambodia division
500 Startups has launched a Cambodian unit in partnership with Khmer Enterprise, a start-up ecosystem support arm of the local government’s Entrepreneurship Development Fund.
India's True Balance gets $28m Series D
Indian financial technology provider True Balance has raised a $28 million Series D round from a group including SoftBank Ventures Asia.
COVID-19 credit strategies must be flexible – AVCJ Forum
COVID-19 has emphasized the need for patience and mandate flexibility in private credit, industry participants told the AVCJ Forum.
KKR buys majority stake in New Zealand animal health business
KKR has acquired Argenta, a New Zealand-based animal health services provider, for an undisclosed sum.
Large LPs willing to explore riskier growth options – AVCJ Forum
Institutional investors looking to diversify their growth portfolios are increasingly turning to technology and emerging managers, the AVCJ Forum heard.
Global LPs want more control in China – AVCJ Forum
North American and European LPs see promise in Asia, and China in particular, but remain wary due to a lack of control opportunities, especially in the context of COVID-19.
Investcorp acquires Singapore food company Viz Branz
Investcorp has agreed to acquire Singapore-based Viz Branz, a cereal and beverage brands maker and distributor in China and Southeast Asia, for an undisclosed sum.
GP longevity requires careful recruiting – AVCJ Forum
Culture, patience, personality, and complementary skills are key team-building considerations for private equity firms seeking longevity and sustainability, investors told the AVCJ Forum.
CITIC exits data business to European GP
CITIC Capital is exiting its stake in business intelligence database provider ISI Emerging Markets Group to UK-based Montagu Private Equity.
ESG reporting pressures pile on GPs, LPs – AVCJ Forum
Rising compliance standards and COVID-19 have heightened the need for detailed reporting on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, LPs told the AVCJ ESG Forum.
Aavishkaar, Circulate invest $18m in Indian recycling company
Aavishkaar Capital and Circulate Capital have invested a combined $18 million in Indian waste recovery and recycling business Nepra.
India food delivery player Zomato raises $195m
India-based food delivery business Zomato has raised $195 million from a group of investors including US-based Kora Management and Luxor Capital, and Korea’s Mirae Asset Capital.
ADIA, OTTP invest $1.2b in renewables-focused Equis
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTTP) have confirmed a $1.2 billion investment in Asia-focused renewable energy owner-operator Equis Development.
Asia consumer & brands: Mark tank
Local consumer brands in developing Asian markets are beginning to displace established global players. Investors are supporting the uprising and contemplating global breakouts of their own
Asia consumer & technology: Multifarious merchants
Technology is changing the way consumers interact with retailers both concrete and virtual. Ramping up the sociability factor has become a priority amid increasingly pervasive mechanization
Manulife backs spinout from Hong Kong’s JIDA
Manulife Investment Management is supporting the spinout of the team at Hong Kong infrastructure investor JIDA Capital, acquiring a significant minority stake in the new GP.
Ascent closes debut Myanmar fund at $88m
Ascent Capital has closed its debut Myanmar growth fund with $88 million in commitments. It is said to be the largest private equity fund dedicated to the country.
Asia consumer: Sale of the century
The traditionally slow-changing retail sector received an unexpected incentive to smarten up quickly this year. When the dust settles, shopping will never be the same again
MBK invests $228m in China Auto Rental
MBK Partners has agreed to invest HK$1.8 billion ($228.3 million) in Hong Kong-listed China Auto Rental (CAR), taking a 20.9% stake.
Grab leads $100m round for Indonesia e-wallet player
Singapore-based ride-hailing and local services platform Grab has led a $100 million Series B round for Indonesian e-wallet services provider LinkAja.
India supply chain player Xpressbees raises $110m
Indian e-commerce delivery start-up Xpressbees has raised INR8 billion ($110 million) from Investcorp, Norwest Venture Partners, and Gaja Capital.