Articles by Justin Niessner
China's CF PharmTech raises $50m Series F
CF PharmTech, a Chinese medical devices maker focused on innovative respiratory products, has raised a $50 million Series F round with support from CICC Capital.
LP interview: FMO
Dutch impact investor FMO has maintained significant appetite for private equity and developing Asia with relatively few resources at its disposal. Fintech is the next frontier
Clime seeks $50m for Southeast Asia clean energy fund
Clime Capital, a newly established cleantech investor based in Singapore, has launched a clean energy fund for Southeast Asia targeting $50 million.
B Capital closes second fund at $820m
B Capital Group, a US-based VC with a presence in Singapore and a significant Asia portfolio, has closed its second global fund at $820 million.
Medical devices: Proceed with caution
Medical devices has become a difficult place to invest but potentially all the more rewarding for those willing to take the plunge. Asia is in a prime position globally
Deal focus: A91 spices up its portfolio
In backing spices maker Pushp, A91 Partners has gained exposure to what might be the most profitable segment of India's broader food space, with margins comparable to those for cosmetics
Lever launches China alternative protein fund
Hong Kong and US-based food technology investor Lever VC has launched a RMB200 million ($28 million) fund dedicated to Chinese plant-based meat start-ups.
CLSA acquires Japan household jobs marketplace
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has acquired Assist, a Japanese marketplace that facilitates sourcing helpers for daily household jobs.
East Ventures reaches $57m first close on eighth fund
Indonesia’s East Ventures has reached a first close of $57 million on its eighth fund. The target is $88 million.
Indonesia's BRI Ventures launches fund
BRI Ventures, a unit of Bank Rakyat Indonesia, has launched a locally incorporated fund that will invest local start-ups.
Australia cleantech start-up secures $7m
Horizons Ventures – a VC firm controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing – has joined a A$10 million ($7 million) round for an Australian start-up specializing in fungi-based carbon capture technology.
Clifford Capital takes 50% stake in Singapore's Pierfront
Singapore-based infrastructure investor Clifford Capital has acquired a 50% stake in local private credit and mezzanine player Pierfront Capital for an undisclosed sum.
Fund focus: Beenext targets a world beyond the mirrors
Beenext Capital Management has expanded its LP base while maintaining fund size discipline. This is born of a philosophy that capacity for cross-pollination is more important than capacity for deployment
Hillhouse invests $400m in China data center player
Hillhouse Capital has taken a 3.9% interest in US-listed Chinese data center developer GDS Holdings for $400 million.
Australia's Canva raises $60m at $6b valuation
Canva, an Australian graphic design platform, has raised $60 million in VC funding, almost doubling its valuation to $6 billion. It attributed the growth to a shift online amid COVID-19.
Blackstone invests $150m in China's 21Vianet
The Blackstone Group has invested $150 million in 21Vianet, a US-listed Chinese data center developer backed by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.
SCB 10X, Sparx lead $80m round for Thai fintech player
Thailand-based financial technology provider Synqa, formerly known as Omise, has raised an $80 million Series C round led by local VC firm SCB 10X and Japan’s Sparx Group.
Five V buys New Zealand software developer
Australian private equity firm Five V Capital has acquired a controlling stake in New Zealand employee management software provider Totara for an undisclosed sum.
A91 invests $16m in India spices maker
India’s A91 Partners has invested INR1.2 billion ($16.4 million) in local spices and condiments brand Pushp.
Deal focus: Indonesia’s GoPlay changes the channel
Golden Gate Ventures is backing GoPlay, a media streaming spin-out from Indonesia's GoJek, to tap an underserved Southeast Asian audience with local recreations of popular international TV shows
Japan’s Daiwa backs Vietnam cinema operator
Japan’s Daiwa Securities Group has invested $8 million in Vietnam cinema chain operator Beta Media via its private equity unit.
ESR raises $1b Korea logistics fund
Pan-Asian logistics investor ESR has raised $1 billion for its second Korea fund with support from APG Asset Management and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
Coronavirus dislocation funds: Runway watchers
Southeast Asia has emerged as a hotspot for VC funds targeting COVID-19 dislocation. They are flirting with strategies requiring private equity and short-term value investing skills
Mercury buys Bauer Media’s Australia, New Zealand assets
Sydney-based private equity firm Mercury Capital has agreed to acquire the Australia and New Zealand assets of Germany’s Bauer Media, including an extensive magazine portfolio.