Articles by Justin Niessner
TPG, KKR invest $220m in Singapore’s PropertyGuru
Singapore-based real estate portal PropertyGuru has confirmed S$300 million ($220 million) in new commitments from existing backers TPG Capital and KKR.
Indian edtech player Eruditus gets $113m Series D
Eruditus, an Indian education technology provider focused on working professionals, has raised a $113 million Series D round featuring Sequoia Capital India.
Creador invests $34m in India's Shriji Polymers
Creador has invested INR2.5 billion ($34 million) in Shriji Polymers India, a manufacturer of plastic pharmaceuticals packaging, taking a significant minority stake and providing an exit for Tata Capital.
Japan flying car developer gets $37m Series B
Development Bank of Japan has joined a JPY3.9 billion ($37 million) Series B round for Tokyo-based flying car developer SkyDrive.
Korea's Viva Republica raises $173m
Viva Republica, the operator of Korean money transfer app Toss, has raised $173 million from a group of investors featuring Sequoia Capital China and Kleiner Perkins.
Japan's J-Star acquires waste management business
Japanese private equity firm J-Star has acquired local waste management operator Sincere Corporation for an undisclosed sum.
BGH, OTPP reengage with New Zealand's Abano
BGH Capital and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), which recently terminated an acquisition of New Zealand dentistry chain Abano, have renewed their bid at a lower price.
Fund focus: MDI leads the way in Indonesia
MDI Ventures has seen a significant step-up in fund size because the success of Indonesia’s start-up ecosystem in recent years means investors need more firepower
OMERS names new Asia infrastructure head
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) has appointed Prateek Maheshwari, an existing managing director at the firm, as its head of infrastructure in Asia.
Japan's iSpace raises $28m Series B
Japanese lunar exploration company iSpace has raised $28 million Series B round led by Incubate Fund.
Australia's Buildkite hits $144m valuation with Series A
US-based VCs General Catalyst and OpenView have provided A$28 million ($20 million) in Series A funding to Australian enterprise software player Buildkite at a valuation of about $144 million.
Taiwan AI player iKala gets $17m Series B
Taiwan-based IT hardware manufacturer Wistron has led a $17 million Series B round for local enterprise-facing artificial intelligence (AI) developer iKala.
Indonesia's MDI Ventures raises $500m fund
MDI Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of state-controlled Telkom Indonesia, has closed its latest fund at $500 million.
India pharma: The pills are popping
India’s pharmaceuticals industry is thriving on the macro ills of the day. Private equity is well placed to benefit, but the opportunity set is no secret
Sequoia backs Indonesia MSME app
Sequoia Capital India has joined a $9 million pre-Series A round for Indonesia’s BukuKas, a bookkeeping app for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Lever VC reaches $23m first close on food fund
Lever VC, a Hong Kong and US-based food tech specialist, has confirmed a $23 million first close for its debut fund, which will invest alternative protein start-ups globally with a strong focus on China.
Direct Capital, ACC back New Zealand logistics player
New Zealand PE firm Direct Capital and the government’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) have taken a combined 50% stake in local logistics operator Mondiale for an undisclosed sum.
Airbus Ventures sets up Japan office
Airbus Ventures, the US-based VC unit of European aeronautics giant Airbus, has set up an office in Japan and received investment from a number of Japanese investors for its third fund.
Japan's ACA exits aged care business
Tokyo-listed healthcare provider Solasto will acquire 100% of Japan Elderly Care Service for JPY2.3 billion ($22 million), providing an exit for local private equity firm ACA Investments.
China’s JD.com acquires VC-backed logistics player
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has agreed to pay RMB3 billion ($432 million) for a controlling stake in Kuayue Express, a local VC-backed logistics operator.
Yunfeng backs take-private of China-US biotech player
Yunfeng Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jack Ma, is backing the privatization of Cellular Biomedicine, a US and China-based biotech developer.
Duo of Indonesia fishery start-ups attracts funding
Northstar Group and Go-Ventures have led a Series B round of undisclosed size for Indonesia’s eFishery, while East Ventures has backed a $5.5 million Series A for fishing industry app Aruna.
Start-up profiles: Sustainability agendas
Early-stage innovators across the region are leveraging both enterprise and consumer-facing models to address sustainability challenges with one eye on rapid commercialization
Quadrant acquires Australia phone mount business
Australia’s Quadrant Private Equity has acquired a controlling stake in Quad Lock, a local smart phone accessories maker focused on device mounts for bikes and cars.